The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1921-11-24
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BRIGHT HOPES FOR PEACE

AS each days developments are re-
ported from the world conference on
the limitation of armament 1t becomes
more apparent to the hopeful and
anxiously awaiting public that definite
and far reaching results will be ac-
complished that will mark this event
as one of the greatest epochs in his
tory. Never in the history of the
world has there been such an insistent
cry for peace from the masses and
never has there been such a unified
public opinion in favor of the estab-
lishment of permanent peace and the
reduction OF taxes necessitated by
ornaments. Because Of this united
public opinion prevailing over the
entire world it is probable that the
conference now in session will effect
definite results along this line.
The credit for originating the idea
of this conference on disarmament has
been traced to President Harding
himself, although he has very mod
estly refrained from footing his own
horn. The quiet, unobtrusive manner
in which the president works, and the
tremendous power and intellect which
he puts into the work, is just o
beginning to be appreciated by the
public. There is little question but
that President Harding will be hailed
as one of the greatest presidents this
nation ever had.
While President Harding was the
motive force behind the conference he
has left Secretary Of State Hughes in
active charge and ever the most skep-
teal must admit enthusiasm over the
way Hughes has directed the affairs
of the conferences. Right at the start
he placed all OF the cards on the table
and brought the conference down to
brass tacks. He struck exactly the
right chord and both Great Britain and
Japan came forward frankly and ac-
cepted the proposals In principle. The
initial plan was the declaration OF a
ten-year naval holiday, reducing the
naval ornaments Of each nation to a
minimum and immediate cessation OF
all ship building, The proportion OF
naval strength was fixed In relation to
the present strength Of the three lead
ing world powers. Great Britain and the
United States being considered equal
and Japan 80 per cent inferior. That Is
to say for every ten battleships which
the United States and Great Britain
have, Japan may have six. In the
parlance Of the conference this is
called the $50 policy. japan has been
somtwhat dubious ver accepting the
lesser position but to any fair minded
observer It Is plain that 1t gives them
greater proportion OF strength than
they now have. There Is little ques-
ton that Japan will accept the 55-3
policy when the final question Is put
to them.
In the matter OF the reduction Of
land forces the nations acted In the
same unison and all agreed to the
plane set forth. France held forth the
danger Of invasion from Germany.
pleading the necessity Of a large land
force for protection, but II the other
notions would stand ready to help them
N event Of such invasion. they agreed
heartily with the plan for reduction
OF land, forces. This problem was then
settled to the satisfaction OF all. and
another stumbling block removed.
The discussion Of far eastern ques-
lions IN especial relation to China Is
the most dificult subject the confer
ence has to deal with. but It IL be-
lteved now that q satisfactory agree
ment Win be reached just as in the
other matters which have come before
the meeting. It IL likely 4 number Of
cA,moromises win be made on the
lesser phases Of the problem but q
eenersl policy viii be evolved which
csn IS enlarged upon and worked out
a fnxther detaiI 81 later date. The
6rct psinciples are aimed at BY tbs
c-onesrepcS. ana when they are estab.
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