Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-06-25


marks of the Secretary of War touch
ing a proposed conference of nations to abate
the ceaseless and costly building Of battle
ships Mr.. Weeks, addressing New York
University audience professed theoretic
sympathy with the disarmament idea, but
in the same breath opposed practical steps
that might lead even. remotely to it's realiza-
ton. More, he brought forth the jingo's
musty stock in trade, abiding to the fever
ish preparations of those with whom we
might come in contact, declining with af-
fected caution to say just whom he meant,
but leaving no doubt that he did mean ia
pan.
Indiscreet and reactionary as his utter
ances were, they nevertheless may serve a
good end through the emphatic and wide
reaching array Of adverse sentiment which
they have evoked. Not only the Democratic,
but the independent press well. and the
more thoughtful in Republican ranks, either
condemn or deplore the Secretary's words.
AS to his statement that prudence would
not permit disarmament while others hold
weapons in their hands," the Syracuse Post
Standard (Republican) observes that, al
though this is quite true it is at the same
time wholly misleading" For cit is not
proposed that the United States disarm at
ALL but merely that conference be held
with view to preventing further increases
in 'the load on backs already bending" So,
too, the Brooklyn Eagle independent Demo-
craft which remarks that the graduates
who listened to his address could have told
the Secretary that his reasoning was ar
chaic," and adds: "No one wants this coun-
try to dsarm alone or before other nations
do. What sane people Of the world want is
for this country to take the lead in inducing
other nations to stop their "feverish prepara-
lions" by agreeing to stop our own. Those
nations with whom we may come in con-
tact" are merely doing what Secretary Weeks
advises us to do; namely use the peace Pc
Rod to get ready for the next war" To the
Independent Ithaca Journal-News Mr..
Weeks talk is remindful of the sabre rat
tier and "the old stuff of the militarists, -
while the New York Mail, deprecating efforts
to raise the Japanese bugaboo," urges an
aggressive policy of peace" and declares cit
Is time for our Government to show itself
responsive in deeds and not merely in words"
The ever conservative and discriminating
Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican
AYERS: ITO say that nations with which
America might come in conflict are making
"feverish military preparations begs the
question. What nations are 'feverishly" pre-
pairing against us? The Secretary would pre-
fer not to answer. Yet, if such nations exist,
nAO IACy nv u1ONSu W pISpdTS U0CduS0 Cu0y
fear that OUR preparations are aimed at
them"
So the comment runs, deep and thought
strong tide against that school of politics
which would make free and mighty America
discourager of practical plans for, world
peace if not indeed an imitator of that very
Prussianism which she brought to dust.
When will the Administration that entered
office with pledges of economy loud upon it's
lips and amid shouts OF peace and prosper
tty" from its admirers, begin to butter pars-
nips with something more substantial than
fine words? We are no nearer peace today
than year ago, and we are further than
ever from economy. We are spending more
: for war protection now than in 1916, de-
spite all mat has come to pass in the inter-
i'm, despite peace-conserving league of ma
tions which we are invited to join, despite
the proposed conference on armament re-
duction, which word from Washington
colud bring about
And, we shall continue spending, regard
less of the burden upon taxpayers and upon
business, so long as the Administration lets
its foreign policy drift and finds no better
solution for the grim problems of the time
than Secretary Weeks chatter