Evening star., 1921-11-12

tion which had been adopted at the
first Hague conference. the dele
gates of the United States were In
structed that the subject Of limita-
ton of armament should be re-
garded as unfinished business.
and that the second conference
should ascertain and give full con-
sideration to the results of such
examination as the governments
may have given to the possibility
of an agreement pursuant to the
wish expressed by the FIRST confer
ence.
Could Act Only by Resolution.
But by reason of the obstacles
which the subject had encountered
the second peace conference at The
Hague. although it made notable
progress in provision for the
peaceful settlement of controver-
sizes. was unable to deal with
Limitation Of armament except BY
a resolution in the follwoing gem
eral terms: The conference con-
firms the resolution adopted by tho
conference in 1899 in regard to
the limitation Of military expendi-
ture; and inasmuch as military ex-
penditure has considerably In
creased in almost every country
since that time. the conference de-
sirable that the governments
should resume the serious exam
ination Of this question"
This was the fruition Of the ef-
forts of eight years. Although the
effect was clearly perceived. the
race in preparation Of armament,
wholly unaffected by these futile
anrpasfinpa went m until II fit.
tingly eliminated in the greatest
war of history; and we are now
suffering from the unparalleled
loss of life, the destruction of
hopes. the economic dislocations
and the widespread impoverish-
the victory over the brutal preten-
sions of military force.
Have Extraordinary Opportunity.
But II we are warned by the
inadequacy OF earlier endeavors
for Limitation Of armament, we
cannot fail to recognize the ex-.
traordinary opportunity now pre-
sented. We not only have the les
sons of the past to guide US, not
only do we have the reaction from
the disillusioning experience of
war, but we must meet the chal-
lenge of imperative economic de-
mands. What was convenient or
highly desirable before Is now a
matter of vital necessity. If there
is to be economic rehabilitation, If
the longings for reasonable prog
ress are not to be denied, If we
are to be spared the uprisings of
peoples made desperate in the de-
sire to shake off burdens no longer
endurable. competition in arma-
ment must stop.
only derives its advantage from
a general appreciation of this
I fact, but the power to deal with
the exigency now rests with
small group Of nations, represent
ed here. who have every reason to
desire peace and to promote amity.
The astounding ambition which
lay athwart the promise of the
second Hague, conference no longer
menaces the world, and the great
opportunity Of liberty-loving and
peace-preserving democracies has
come. Is 1t not plain that the
time has passed for mere reso-
lutions that the responsible pow
ers should examine the question
of limitation of armament?
I'VE can no longer content our
statistics, with reports, with the
circumlocution Of inquiry. The
essential facts are sufficiently
known. The time has come, and
this conference has been called,
not for general resolutions or
mutual advice. but for action. We
meet with full understanding that
the aspirations Of mankind are not
to be defeated either by plausible
suggestions of postponement or by
impracticable counsels Of perfec-
ton. Power and responsibility are
here and the world awaits a prac-
ticable program which shall at
once be put into execution.
Il am confident that shall have
your approval In suggesting that
in this matter, as well as in Others
before the conference. 1t 10 desir-
able to follow the course Of pro-.
cedure which has the best promise
Of achievement rather than one
which would facilitate division:
and thus. constantly aiming to
agree SO far as possible, we shall,
with each point Of agreement,
make it easier to proceed to others.
Limitation Of Primary Importance.
1.-THE question. in relation 10
armament, which may be regard
ed as Of primary Importance at
this time. and with which we can
deal most promptly ana efIec- /
lively, Is the limitation Of naval
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