Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-11-19
America S Part and Gain
In Armament Reduction

~ ECRETARY HUGHES proposals for
y armament reduction derive peculiar
force from the fact that under their
terms the most radical retrenchment would
fall to the United States. While Japan would
scrap seventeen capital ships agg- egatlng
44S,92S tons, and Great Britain nineteen ag-
gregating 5S3,375 tons, the United States
would scrap thirty aggregating S43,740 tons.
Thus at the outset Americas good faith is
lifted high above questions and her influence
in the conference correspondingly enhanced.
Let it not be inferred, however, that these
proposals, generous as they are, lay an ex-
cess of sacrifice upon our country or would
leave her disadvantaged among the mari
time forces Of the world The Secretary5
figures were decided upon only after careful
consultation with experts OF the navy de-
partment, who from knowledge both Of our
own and of others strength, present and
prospective, could gauge the relative and to-
tai, as we'll as specific and individual egect
Of the reductions proposed AS Mr.. Hughes
declared:
"The United States is most solicitous to deal
with the question upon an entirely reason
able and practical basis, to the end that the
just interests of all shall be adequately
guarded and that national security and de-
tense shall be maintained" Naturally, the
"iust interests" and national security" OF
his own country were not overlooked.
Something Of the grounds on which the
proposals were worked out may be gathered
from the fact that this year while Japan has
an expenditure for armament purposes Of
$93,756, 900, and Great Britain 1851 100000
tie expenditure Of the United States for the
same purposes is $1,422,752, II, then,
we shall make the heaviest retrenchment,
shall we not also escape the heaviest burden?
Moreover, if the Hughes terms are accepted
and carried out, the residual tonnage OF the
three principals will lie: Japan 290,7O0, Great
Britain 604,450, the United States 500,650
1t is thus obvious that relatively we shall
have lost nothing, while world now stag
gering toward bankruptcy will have gained
the chance of rehabilitation.
And in that world-gain how literally will
America share! Ninety-two and six-tenths
per cent of her national income in the year
1920 went for war debts and war prepare
tons, less than eight per cent for the arts
and ideals Of peace. OF more than four and
a half billion dollars poured into the treas
ury by American taxpayers, only one and
three-tenths per cent was devoted to the in
terests of public health, scientific research,
education and development. If feasible
ratio, to the end that we may have more of
constructive service and less of enslavement
to destructive war, is it not the part of
practical people, freedom-prizing, forward
going people to give those means full-heart-
ed support?
The country's business judgment has
sounded an overwhelming Yea. Character
istic of the best industrial, mercantile and
banking thought of the nation is the now Ia
nous resolution of the San Francisco Cham
Der of Commerce which, to use it's own
trenchant terms, "attributes the decline of
our foreign trade and the reduced domestic
consumption of manufactures to excessive
taxation and to the exhaustion of capital and
credit" Further,
cit places hope of substantial and
worldwide recovery upon the success of
the conference for the Limitation of
ornaments and urges the Administra-
ton to use very, effort to bring about a
drastic reduction Of naval and military
expenditure, SO that all countries and all
classes may be relieved of a staggering
burden which threatens some with in
solvency and confscation, and all with
trade stagnation and unemployment
This ringing good-sense finds echo in
sober minds the world around. Thoughtful
observers everywhere join burdened millions
in plea for relief from armament loads
that crush the spirit of industry and the hope
Of humanity. The outcome Of the confer
ence SO happily begun no man can assuredly
say. But all can lend encouragement to a
leadership which is striking out boldly, faith
fully, splendidly for results that will honor
M mankind