New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1921-08-12
PLAIN DEALING
BY ALL NATIONS
SUCH is THE HOPE AND ExPEc-
TATioN FOR CONFERENCE
IN WASHINGTON.
AMERICA WON'T BE SELFISH
Optlmists Think the Meeting May
Even Result in the Establishment
of World Peace, but the SkeptIcal
Are Many.
BY EDWARD B. CLARK.

BY EDWARD B. CLARK.
Washington.-lt has been said in
Washington by "a man of high official
position that ii is the desire of the
administration that every question to
be considered at the coming disarm-
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 50 far as
the United States is concerned, there
Is 10 be no selfish insistence ON any
america first plan which cannot
stand the test of criticism in every
country of the world. This means, of
course, that anything which can stand
this test necessarily must at the same
time stand the test of American Opin-
lon.
From this il seems to be the feeling
of the administration and It's advisers
In looking after American interests,
this country will meet with no oppo-
sltlon nor lack of sympathy from the
governments which are 10 be IA party
10 the conference, nor from any of the
other governments of the world.
There is a realizing SENSE in the adj
visory council of the administration
that each of the comforting nations
will have its self-safeguarding pro
posals. Ii Gems 10 he the feeling of
American officials that seltishness in
the usually objectionable meaning OF
the word viii be absent from the coun-
ell chamber, or that If it shall succeed
IN entering there II will be overcome
by knowledge of the way in which the
wind of world opinion blows.
Fair Dealing Expected.
There seems actually to be no mp
%prehension among the proponents of
the coming conference that any nation
which Is to be II party 10 1t, or any
other nation which will have any in
tlueuce with II, Will attempt 10 draw
any red behring's across the trail lend
ing TO the conference chamber. Ii
seems to be hoped and virtually
IiuN'h " III AAiiiliiiiHAi" ~
that there shall be no advanced pref
udices which may impair the work of
the confcrees.
1t seems clearer day by day that
official Washington really and finally
believes In its heart that the coming
conference Is 10 take within the scope
of its discussion many things which
r.. .-,gl. "a ~. ALL - ..A,
ment limitations, and Of Far East
problems. Nothing has happened here
yet to make IL 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 a plan for the readJust-
ment OF the international troubles OF
the world.
Now. as ZONE men here say, all this
Is admirable, but there are some skep-
ties who. while they dlsarma-
ment and general peace TO come. fear
and say that they fear that dreams
of the present, like dreams Of the
past, may not materinlize. So far as
the United States Is concerned. II IL
standing aloof from participation In
q league which was TO do everything
for the peace OF the world.
Skepties Arc Not Wanting.
The majority of the students of the
situation in Washington seem to think
the conference actually will bring
about disarmament, satisfactory ar
Engagements for a tranquil Far East.
and ultimately for peace In the world.
II must be said. however. because II
Is the straight truth, thnt there are
men here, and hard-hended 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 disnrmn-
ment and for peace throughout Gre
alton.
The comments Of the newspapers OF
the countries WHICH are 10 be phTllts
10 the conference seem Ia show that
the officials OF other governments feel
like the administration of this govern
ment. that good Is TO come out Of the
conference. Are they sincere In their
belief Doubtless their hope runs
with their words, but there IL more
thar a rods difference between hope
and belief.
C~antonnents for Sale.
Only four years 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 60 make
them pay back I'm part tie immense
cost Of their construction.
The army by October l Will have In
II only 10000 men. -Four Of the larger
environments would afford quarters for
the entire army. Many Of them will
not b needed and their acres upun
acres Of barracks. hospitals. mess and
welfare halls must go. How are they
TO go and which ones are to gOf