The Colorado statesman., 1921-08-13
SUCH is THE HOPE AND ExPEc.
TATloN FOR CONFERENCE
IN WASHINGTON.
AMERICA WON'T BE SELFISH
optimlsts Think the Meeting May
Even Result in the Establishment
Of World Peace, but the skeptieal
Are Many.
BY EDWARD q. CLARK.

position tnut III Is tne ueSlTe ol 'he
administration that every question TO
be considered at the coming disarln-
ament conference shall be answered
''in the light of public opinion through
out the world"
II is apparent from what one learns
from high sources of information on
international matters, that so far as
the United States is concerned, there
is to be no selfish insistence on any
america first" plan which cannot
stand the test of criticism in every
country of the world. This msans, OF
course, that anything which can stand
this test necessarily must at the same
time stand the test of American opin-
ion.
From this it seems to be the feeling
of the administration and its advisers
in looking after American interests
this country will meet with no oppo-
sition nor lack of sympathy from the
governments which are to be a party
to the conference, nor from any or the
other governments of the world.
There is Il realizing sense in the ad-
visory council of the administration
that each of the comforting nations
will have its self-safeguarding pro-
posals. 1t seems to be the feeling of
American officials that selfishness III
the usually Objectionable meaning or
the word will be absent from the coun-
ell chamber. or that if it shall succeed
In entering there it will be overcome
by knowledge of the way in which the
,e hlnXVS
Fair Dealing Expected.
There seems actually to be no ap-
prehension among the proponents OF
the coming conference that any nation
which is to be IA party to 1t, or any
other nation which will have any in
fiuence with it, will attempt to draw
any red herrings across the trail lead
ing to the conference chamber. 1t
seems to be hoped and virtually
prayed for in administration circles
that there shall be no advanced pref
udices which may impair the work OF
the conferees.
1t seems clearer day by day that
official Washington really and tnally
believes in its heart that the coming
conference is to take within the scope
of its discussion many things which
are far outside of the field of arma-
ment limitations, and OF Far East
problems. Nothing has happened here
vet to make it appear that the United
States in any way will attempt to
circumscribe discussion within narrow
limits. On the other hand, there are
evidences of an apparent willingness,
at present at any rate, that one thing
shall lead to another in the confer
ence until finally there possibly may
be evolved plan for the readjust-
ment of the international troubles of
the world.
Now, as some men here say, all this
is admirable, but there are some skep-
tics who, while they want disarma-
ment and general peace to come, fear
and say that they fear that dreams
of the present, like dreams of the
past, may not materialize. So far as
the United States is concerned. it is
standing aloof from participation in
a league which was to do everything
for the peace of the world.
skeptics Are Not Wanting.
situation in Washington seem to think
the conference actually Will bring
about disarmament, satisfactory ar
rangements for IL tranquil Far East.
and ultimately for peace in the world.
If must be said, however, because it
is the straight truth, that there are
men here, and hard-headed men at
that who still smell mustard and
chlorine gas, see the wakes of the
submarines, and hear the whir of air
motors in the days after the repre-
sentatives of the nations of the world
solemnly have declared for disarma-
ment and for peace throughout Gre
alton. ..........
The comments of the newspapers of
the countries which are to be parties
TO the conference seem to SHOW that
the officials of other governments reel
like the administration of this govern
ment. that good lis to come out of the
conference. Are they sincere In their
belief? Doubtless their hope runs
with their words, but there Is more
than n rods difference between hope
and belief.
cantonments for Sale.
OnIv four wears ago the problem
was how to build quickly great canton
ments for the housing and supplying
OF the American legions. Today the
question is what and how to make
them pay back in part the immense
cost of their construction.
The army by October ] VIII have IN
IT only 100000 men. Four of the larger
environments would afford quarters FOR
the entire army. Many of them VIII
not be needed and their acres upon
acres of barracks, hospitals. mess ana
-Jirnre halls must go. How are they
to -, and which ones are to go: