The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-10-14
HOPKINS EXPOSES
DISARMAMENT
INTRIGUE

We are familiar with the rules of
war under which the Allies are col
lecting huge indemnity from beat
en- Germany. But do the American
people realize that unless they take
active steps to prevent it victorious
America may soon be paying SIM
liar tribute to the Allies whom she
rescued from overwhelming disas-
ter at the most critical period in
their history?
The machinery designed to bring
this about is already in motion,
and it is high time to tell the truth
about the Disarmament Conference,
in which the people as a whole are
vitality concerned, and to determine
what instructions the American peo-
pie desire given to Messrs. Lodge,
Hughes, Root, and Underwood, whom
President Harding has appointed as
their official representatives,
Called for the purpose of bringing
about Disarmament and World peace,
and forced upon a reluctant and un-
sympathetic Administration in re-
sponse to popular sentiment, the
conference is fast being transformed
into a sordid effort to further the
interests of the international bank
ing syndicate at the expense of our
already overburdened taxpayers.
How is this being accomplished
The situation is clear-the process
is simple.
The European nations owe Amer
lea millions of dollars extracted
from American taxpayers under
stress of war, on which they have
never paid one dollar either of in
terest or principal
The English, French, Belgian and
Italian delegates frankly admit that
they are seeking to utilize this Oc-
casion to obtain a release from their
debts.
Realizing that the public discus
sion of this subject before the Dis
armament Conference would arouse
whirlwind of indignation, President
Harding announces that he is OPP
posed to any such course, but de-
mands that Congress without delay
specifically confer upon Secretary
Mellon full power to privately settle
these obligations upon any terms he
, may deem advisable. And Secre-
tary Mellon has personally appeared
before the Ways and Means Commit
tee demanding immediate action.
Coincident with this demand comes
suggestion from the Banking
Group Ito which Secretary Mellon
formerly belonged) that a concur
rent conference with the European
delegates be held, while the Disarma-
ment Conference is in session, to
adjust the financial situation.
Every angle of the situation bris-
ties with deceit and secret diplo-
macy-every indication points to a
betrayal Of the just demands of the
American public who paid until it
hurt" to assist our Allies in their
extremity and are now in imminent
danger of being told that the money
they generously loaned to England,
France. Italy and Belgium in good
faith will never be returned, and
that for years to come they will be
taxed to make up these vast sums,
which the European nations with an
almost unbelievable affrontery are
now seeking to repudiate.
And it is proposed to bring this
about through a separate secret con-
ference, under carte blanche author
ity. in which the American people
will have no voice and of whose de-
cision they viii know nothing until
too late.
Anticipating precisely the situa-
tion which has since developed, and
foreseeing the necessity of fore
stalling the action of the European
delegates | suggested to President