Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-10-10
DISCUSSION DANGEROUS BUT
DESIRABLE


II the grain Of all the public dis
cussion about the approaching con-
ference to limit armaments-"Arms
Farley" is another good name sug-
gested for it and peace Farley"
might be better-could be sifted from
the chaff perhaps all that would be
needed of the conference itself would
be to grade, separating that which
should be found best The amount
of chaff, however, is so great it is
causing some perturbation and more
dust. Indeed there is some appre-
hension that mischievous spirits
(Which include the unthinking, they
always being mischievous) have been
either intentionally or unintentional-
ly mixing explosives with the debris.
Anyone, anywhere, making unreason-
ably charges. saying that which can
not be proved and which they would
not dare to say at the conference
should be classed among the mis-
chievous. They should be frowned
upon, and if that isn't sufficient be
sat upon. This, of course. applies
specially to such as are in prominent
position which lends weight to their
words. Any political party attempt
ing or permitting the abuse of this
occasion for partizan advantage de-
serves rebuke at the hands of the
public.
On the other hand the discussion,
properly conducted, will serve as, a
clearing house for current opinion
and should serve a useful purpose.
Anything tending to inflame passion
or appeal to prejudice cannot serve
this useful purpose. Representatives
of other races should receive due def
erence. One with yellow skin
should not be made to feel that we
of his color regarded him as an in
ferior. Because Of recognized racial
prejudices he is especially sensitive
to slight. A way should be found to
make it clear to him that, although it
might be felt close association with
him would be a disadvantage, this
nowise argued that it was because of
inferiority. The Japanese might rule
all Of Asia and yet not be congenial
rext- door neighbors and any attempt
to make them so might not be adj
vantageous to either party. A man
of that race might be richer than
Rockefeller, wiser than Solomon and
more moral than Bryan and yet not
be desirable son-in-law for an
American.
Is it a fact that because Germany
has been forbidden to maintain a
great armament she has thus been
liberated and given a great economic
advantage over France and England?
1t was not so thought when this de-
mand was laid upon her. The opin-
ions Of the wise were that this would
keep her in her place. Evidently the
opinions Of the wise may not always
prove trustworthy. Likewise is it
clear the conference needs something
besides opinions. 1t needs facts, we'll
substantiated. Those who have only
opinions to bring to it would only
clutter up the proceedings if that
were all they brought
But let the discussion go on. It is
becoming tiresome. in some ways it
is doubtless proving embarrassing.
but only by such procedure do we in
this country arrive at conclusions
that stay concluded. Even the Irish
question was helped very materially
by the celebrated note writing con-
test that wearied the world. All the
while public opinion in both Ireland
and England was being crystalized.
Passion had time in which to cool
and eyes that had seen only red be-
came able to distinguish alternatives.
Discussion also may help those who
assemble at Washington on Armistice
Day to better realize conditions ac-
tually existing, to better understand
the viewpoints of others, to better
weigh the values Of compromise and
results