New-York tribune., 1921-09-18
vTTED ARMAMENT; THE HOPE, THE OBSTACLES

instant and general international confess.
whenever peace shall be threatenoa
political action, SO that the nations pledooa :
do and insist upon what is just and fair 80 {
exercise their influence and power for y.
prevention Of war;
In his inaugural address President Hardin.
expressed the same idea as follows:
eve are ready to associate ourselves u,.,
the nations Of the world, great and small /. s.
said, "for conference, for counsel to seeL ~.
expressed view Of world opinion, to reco,. {
mend q way to approximate dsarmanent ara
relieve the crushing burdens of military sra
naval establishments. We elect to partic;n.,.
in suggesting plans for mediation, cone,;.
ton and arbitration, and would gladly ;o,,
in that expressed constituencies of proyr.,.
which seeks to clarity and write the law. -
international relationship and establish
world court for the disposition of such ius.
ticiable questions as nations are agreed to snh
nit thereto"
Although the call for the conference on N.
limitation of ornaments in itself only hints :.
some such understanding and merely supeests
consideration Of controlling new agencies az
warfare, the various reports from Washington
since the call was first issued make it almost
certain that the Administration will not mis.
such an appropriate opportunity to settle the
question Of participation in world associs.
tion. The problem is so intertwined with tha
question of the limitation of armaments and
the elimination of causes of war that the con.
ference cannot overlook it.
In conclusion it is well to hearken to fhe
words of Colonel Roosevelt-words written
only few days before his death, when Mr.
Wilson was already in Paris
"Would it not be we'll to begin with Tia
league which we actually have in existens
the league Of the Allies who have fought .b;s
great war;" he wrote. "Then let US agree 10
extend the privileges of the league as rapidlv
as their conduct warrants it to other nations.
doubtless discriminating between those who
would have guiding part in the league and
the weak nations who would be entitled to the
privileges of membership, but who would not
be entitled to guiding voice in the councils
Let each nation reserve to itself and for its
own decision, and let it clearly set forth quss
tions which are non-iusticiable."
So, also, in September, 1918, the Colonel eau-
toned the American public to remember that
competitive rhetoric is poor substitute fx
the habit of reso,utely looking facts in the face
"Let US support" he said "any reasonable
plan, whether in the form of league of na-
tions or in any other shape. which bids fair to
lessen the probable number of future wars and
to limit their scope, but let US laugh at all or
any assertions that any such plan will guar
antee peace and safety to the foolish, weak and
timid characters who have not the will and the
power to prepare for their own defense. Sup
port any such plan which is honest and reason.
able, but support it as condition to and never
as substitute for the policy of preparing our
own strength for our own defense"
Although these words were spoken before
the arnaistice, conditions have changed but lit
tie since then. The advice is just as applicable
to-day for whoever would have America join
in an association Of nations to enforce peace,