South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-12-16
TIE NAYAL HOLIDAY.

The American people car hars no quarrel with
q proposal 20 suspend all building OF battleshfps
for the next ten years
Every man who works. every who owns a
business every woman who counts the family bud
get should give a Sigh OF relief that this much n
20 be accomplished from the disarmament confer
encs.
The final agreement between this country, Great
Britain and Japan does leave many questions and
considerable uncertainty as 20 how much is being
accomplished for peace
II now developes that Japan refused to sign until
permitted retain her latest and biggest battle
ship the most deadly war weapon it possesses, and
that "1n consideration" Of this permission this
country Is 20 hang on to of latest SHIPS and
Great Britain Is to at once build two more super
dreadnaughts
The inquisitive might desire TO know why there
should be any qulbbng about retaining the most
effective sea Weapons 81 there is 10 be only peace
and what reason there is behind the demand Of
Japan for it's attitude and whether her obstruction
was not for the purpose Of giving Great Britain
the slight advantage which Is gained.
Battleshps are intended only for and il
there Is to be an end wars. to the grabbing Of
territory OF weaker nations. TO the old regime Of
taking whatever a strong nation wants. the need
or any batueships would seem unnecessary.
Those who oppose the new four power treaty
an entangng alliance which places this nation in
the attitude Of Joining forces with the old order
Of peace on a balance Of power system, will find
in this agreement on batteships strong confirma-
ton Of their charge
When those who supported the League Of Ma
tions are asked 20 join approving this idea,
there viii be need Of many explanations as to the
similarity Of purposes OF the League and the new
treaty
To theses who watch from afar the conviction
bores i'm that the agreements were reached from
far different basis than that Of seeking an end Of
wars
Behind locked doors these diplomats have figured
10 d lrain of powder just how powerful
weapon they are willing to leave in the hands Of
nations which might be unfriendly; have estimated
to an ounce the weight of sea power that can be
left 10 the others and stFl go 10 bed and sleep in
security.
Instead Of league for peace permeated by
spirit Of human brotherhood designed to bring
new spiritual era TO the world the conference is
reaching it's decisions on a basis of suspicion and
doubt.
Each nation i'm effect says to the others that
while the protests friendship sound well. would
safer II no opportunity be left for the others
make
international questions not TO be submitted
to arbitration and settled by sense of justice.
but By an appeal TO the fact that no nation is to
be strong enough to fight for what it believes to
be right or Cor what it deems to be essential
For the lifting Of present burdens of building
battIeshps let there be all thankfulness-and hone
that before the decade passes. a political
Will arise IN the world which will disarm the men
tai attitude OF statemen and bring a condition OF
affairs that has I'm it nothing OF suspicion lurking
doubt. and yelled hostility which are the logical
deductions Of the decisions already made public.