Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-11-24

w r ASHINGTON, II. O., NOV. L. ~
w next world war, if it takes place, will
W probably be won by the sire INCEST ma
ton which succeeds il staying out or 1t.
This consideration, which is based upon
the calculations of military experts concern
ing future wars, s we'll as upon the obvious
lessons of the one just over, is undoubtedly
a powerful force making for disarmament.
1t is probable that each of the principal
nations, in the next few decades, will strive
for the limitation Of armament and the ad-
iustment of international relations in sucn
way that it's own liability to be embroiled
in war will be reduced to a minimum.
1t does not follow that this will always
make for international peace. 1t probably
will do so in a general way, but 1t means
that while each nation will itself strive to
keep out of war, it will often be of adVan-
tage to given nation to embroil its ch1et
commercial rivals in war. For example
some observers have commented upon the
fact that certain sections of the French press
dwell a great deal upon the points which
NAV produce antagonism between Great Brit
ain and the United States. 1t has been point
e( out that should the United States and
Great Britain ever engage In war Wltnout
France being involved in any way, at the
end of that war France would occupy much
stronger international position than she does
now. It. has been suggested that the French
government may not be wholly Obvious TO
this fact Whether it has any influence on
French policy or not, it illustrates the point
under consideration.
The Case of England
Another illustration has been brought to
light by discussions Of the Anglo-Jap ALL
ance. Whether this alliance shall be renewed
or not is one of the crucial questions OF the
conference. In the canvass of consldera-
lions which probably affect British policy IN
this regard, it has been pointed out, as rea-
son why Britain might wish to discontinue
the alliance that in case or war between ia
pan and the United States, Great britain
could win that war by staying out OF 1t. IL
is stated that if Japan and the United states
fought for four years, during that time Great
Britain would regain the position OF controll-
ing financial centers of the world, which mas
now passed to the United States, and Woulu
also greatly increase her commerce. She
would do this by selling goods and lending
money to the belligerants, who would
constantly weaken each other. OF course
Great Britain's relative gain by stay
ing out of the war is much greater by reason
Of the fact that if sh~ went into 1t she Wouio
lose Canada and nothing she could gain
would repay her for that loss. But even
leaving Canada out of consideration, Great
Britain could gain only by staying out OF
such a war The omitted States would lose
her international leadership by such war,
in all probability, even if she won VIC
tory.
lions that are made concerning possible flu
ture wars. There are nations which might
gain by successful war in certain circum-
stances, and these are noted to be the least
enthusiastic for disarmament. But, in gen
eral, war no longer pays as commercial
adventure.
You have only to look back a little way
to see that this fact marks revolutionary
change in the basis Of international policy.
T. is commonplace of political economy
that nearly all modern wars have been
fought for commercial advantage. To be
more exact, they have ben fought to give
the foreign investors of a given country a
preferential right in exploiting the natural
resources of various parts Of the world and
in selling manu- featured goods to various
peoples. A nation which has been successful
in it's wars in the past has gained thereby
new sources of raw material to exploit, and
new markets from which it's competitors
were wholly or partly excluded This advan
tage has resulted in an accumulation OF