The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-14
LONDON PAPERS
ARE SURPRISED BY
u. S. PROPOSALS

says that it will certainly be re-
ceived with no less enthusiasm all
over the world than 1t was received
in the conference.
ut may be called drastic ambitious
and farreaching," it adds. but am
bilious schemes are often the easiest
to accomplish"
Remarking that logically the pro-
posal ought to have followed. not pre-
coded. consideration of the questions
of policy. 1t continues, but logic in
human affairs is often a poor guide
and the United States was right in
its decision to reverse the logical
order of the problems with which the
conference was summoned to deal.
80 far as Great Britain is con-
cerned, there is no reason why the
scheme should not be accepted with
out qualification; SO far as the period
of a decade Is concerned. it offers to
us in fact more than we claim"
The paper then Celebrates its view
that adoption OF the proposal would
leave Great Britain in a very good
position and imagines that the adj
miralty Will accede readily enough. 1t
then discusses what 1t regards as the
real difficulty of the scheme. namely,
the possible opposition of Japan and
armament firms. 1t thinks that the
former will be very serious. for, In its
opinion, the scheme is perfectly fair
to Japan and would leave her no
worse off than she Is today and no
worse off than she would be al any
given moment If the existing pro-
Grammes in America and Japan were
put into effect.
I'VE believe" it says in conclusion,
that the proposals are thoroughly
practical and will succeed
The Daily Press says: "A valiant If
staggering proposal--it makes WASH
ington worth while and the confer
ence alive; 1t brings an ideal to the
verge of practical politics.
OF course, the proposal is full Of
pitfalls. but a bold policy Is the only
one that can possibly bring results.
We may see the failure of a gran
dose conception. but Mr.. Hughes has
struck a high note. Who shall say
that it cannot be sustained?'
The Daily Chronicle remarking
that Secretary Hughes had added a
rider to the usual concept that policy
governs ornaments. namely. that
aramaments also affect policy, con-
tends that until the political fires are
extinguished no reduction in arma-
ments, however ingenius and sincere,
can hope to endure.
| Secretary Hughes" says the
Chronicle "thinlSA that the two parts,
the reduction of ornaments and a
political settlement, may proceed
simultaneously. He may be right. At
any rate Ut is a great thing on the
very first day of the conference to
have brough down so big a>quarry
| to discuss. 1t is better so. than to
hold up the design of the super
structure, as they did at Paris, while
they had dug deep the foundation of
| the covenant"
The Times treats the proposal with
sympathetic admiration, but e,.,pha-
sizes that it win have to be carefully
tconsidered.
by the very boldness with which
1t has thrown aside the traditions. OF
old fashioned diplomacy" says the
Times, 'it Immediately captured the
| Imagination of the people of the
United States. We believe that in
many respects 1t will appeal not less
! forcibly to the peoples of Europe.
Like all schemes for carrying out
large policies. the plan demands ma
tLre examination by the governments
of the nations whose security and In :
terests it deeply concerns. 1t de-
mands very heavy sacrifices from all,
but all wNl cheerfuily submit thereto
| If submission plainly promotes the
| end IN view"