, 1921-11-21
AN ATTITUDE OF COOPERATION.

There is no country represented at the Washing
ton conference which has signifed a resolve to in
crease or even to maintain armaments as at present
constituted. There is a disposition among all of them
TO join in mutual reductions provided they do not in
vite assault from their ~neighbors by so doing.
Great Britain is possessed of a navy far superior
to any other afoat, and had it not been for the Wash
ington conference there is no doubt she would main
tain her superiority at any cost. In fact, four big
battle cruisers and several submarines of huge type
have been designed for the British navy, and construc-
ton on many of them has already been started. But
the spirit manifested by British statesmen from the
moment President Harding despatched his invitation
for the conference leaves no room for doubt that the
delegates from Great Britain are ready to make very
material alterations in their defense programs. That
pohcy has been emphasized by the delegates them
serves since their arrival in Washington.
France has signifed her desire to cooperate in
every way possible in bringing success to the meet
ing. Premier BRAND has informed us that he will use
his opportunity TO advance the friendly feeling be-
tween the United States and France by cordially Sec
ending President Harding's efforts to tighten the bur
dens of war. France has a problem all her own in
the German menace on her northern and eastern from
preparedness in that quarter, but she will agree to any
proposal for ornaments limitation consistent with her
own safety.
Japan has displayed a spirit Of compromise in all
that her delegates have said. Apparently there is no
disposition to insist on every detail of Japanese diplo-
macy in the Far East, nor upon every item of increase
corresponds with that of the other delegations at
Washington. They will be found willing to make con-
cesslons Ike the rest, and contribute their share to
the successful outcome of the conference.
Italy has a defense problem on her frontier similar
to that of France. although not so pronounced. But
her delegates approach the discussions in a spirit that
precludes any thought of opposition from that quar-
ter. The Italian people, like those of other nations
are iaboring under a stupendous burden of war debt
and are praying for the relief that the Washington
conference promises. The tone of the statements is
sned by the Italian delegates assures the world that
they viii work with the rest in achieving the object
Of the conference.
The United States delegation has drawn up a
schedule of naval reduction that is startling in its ex-
tent. America stands ready to cut her naval program
with those of the other nations, and the reductions
that she has outlined are an invitation to the foreign
delegates to join with her in a general advance to-
ward world peace. Belgium, Holland, Portugal and
ohina have no such direct interest in naval matters as
the five great powers, but they can and will assist ma
terialiy in anaying the controversies over Far East
ern questions, and will thus contribute their share to-
ward the suppression of war. America cordially re-
ciprocates the good feeling manifested by all the dis
tinguished visitors to her shores, firm in the belief
that it presages highly successful achievements for the
ornaments conference.