The Washington herald., 1921-02-03
Thinks World Civilization
In Peril From Further
Resort to Arms.
F0RETELLS COSTS
IN LIVES AND GOLD
A E F. Chief Claims
America Should Keep
Ready for Conflict.

The next war win be the most de-
structIve of human life and property
and cost more money than any the
world has ever seen, John J. Per-
shinE Chief Of the
American army abroad, told the
House Naval Affairs Committee yes
terday-
So terrific viii be such a conflict
that it will imperl civilization.
This warning was given in re-
SpOnse to questions by Chairman
Butler. who had asked the General
to appear before the committee and
submit his views on the question Of
disarmament
TT is time for people to sit down
and think whether they can afford
to take another chance Of a great
war that civilization itself might
not be able to withstand" continued
the former Command Chief.
Urges Preparedness.
Until some sane agreement with
the other nations is had" Gen. Per-
shing cautioned, however. the safe
policy for the United States is to
continue our army and navy pro-
grams and not allow ourselves to be
,auSht Unprepared. as we were at
the beginning of the world war.
Because Of my experience abroad,
I know what unpreparedness on land
meant to America"
Gen Pershing also warned that
m considering the question of dis
armament we should stem any ten
dency towards pacifsm."
1t is the generals opinion that no
definite disarmament agreement can
be effected for the next few years.
lie thought, though, 1T would be
worth while to consider the details
Of disarmament while the experience
Of hte war is still fresh in every
bOdys mind he continued.
Cannot Dixarm Alone.
L firmly believe if the incoming
President takes up the matter he
will receive a cordial response II
ences should be enough to convince
everybody Of the danger Of compe-
tition in armaments One nation,
however. cannot reduce without the
other. 1 cannot bring myself to be-
lieye America can disarm alone.
My opinion is that France cannot
disarm her land forces. 1t would
not be safe for her to do so. and
other nations should not expect her
to until the treaty is fulfilled and
danger from Russia has passed
France now is standing on guard in
Europe. It would not be consistent
to expect her to disarm.
Great Britain is in d somewhat
similar position at sea She must
protect her commerce until peaceful
conditions are restored. Great Brit
ain cannot consistently reduce her
arramentS. would say there is
considerable question at this time
whether she would enter upon
disarmament program.
Policy Needed.
..Eut we could at least reach an
agreement on some principal and
thus permit the adoption of a pol
icy Of reduction within the next
Few years
u nave always Ielt a n undeer-
standing between the United States
and Great Britain must form the
basis for general understanding
We have been at peeaCe for a CEN
tury and There is no reason why
peace should not continue War
with Great Britain is hardly con-
ceivable."
Cen. Pershfng declared there is
no reason why the United States
should not initiate action looking to
a disarmament convention. Every
body must realize. he said, that II
competition in armaments begins,
ally supreme, can Outstrip all other
nations. In view of this fact, he
added. other nations fear America
Proposes Start Here.
With the initial action taken by
this country, Gen. Pershing contin-
ued. four of the big allied powers,
including Great Britain, France and
italy, might very reasonably coop
crate.
The general predicted airplanes
must be more important in the next
war than in the past one. He was
moot asked his opinion on the ques-
+ion Of the modern airplRne render
ing obsolete the naval Dreadnaught
Rear Admiral William S. Sims
and Rear Admiral Bradley A. Fiske,
OF the navy general bOard.a will
discuss this question before the
committee Friday.