Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-07-13

The president has gone Senator Borah two
better in his course on the question of disarmament.
|lhe Borah resolution contemplated a conference
lin which the United States, Great Britain and Jap
an should participate, and the president has includ
ed France and Italy in the list.
It is quite certain that as soon as he thought
the time oportune Mr.. Harding would have taken,
steps to bring about a discussion Of reduction Of
armament among the principal powers Of the world,
and that instructions to that effect from congress
were not necessary. Nevertheless, the congressional
resolution appears to be wise and timely, inasmuch
as it places the ~laW-making department of our gov
lernment on record in an unrnistakables manner in
favor of q general reduction Of ormed forces.
During the discussion of the subject in con-
Egress it was proposed that instead Of inviting mere
lly the two nations named in the resolution to con
Ter with the United States, an invitation should be
issued to . general disarmament conference which,
should include practically the whole world. This
was strenuouslys opposed BY Senator Borah, the
.,author OF the original resolution He made what
seemed to be a good point when he said that if the
Subject were confined for the present to a small
number of nations similarly situated there would
be a strong probability of getting results but If the
conference were made general, so many divergent
Opinions would be expressed and SO many conflict
ing interests would appear that the whole thing
would end in talk.
An objection, similar in kind but less inclusive
in its scope, may be urged against the inclusion Of
France and Italy in the present invitation. Both
have naval equipment Of respectable size, but both
are outclassed as naval powers by all Of the major,
naval powers. On the other hand, both maintain
large armies, France especially SO, and the need
which exists in the case of France is one which
lcannot be met by the disarmament OF any nation
at sea: France is bound to maintain a powerful mil
Iltary force because Of her position on the continent,
and in order to insure herself against any possible
development of a hostile attitude on the part Of
Germany,
The only thing that has ever been in sight
which would warrant France in making the reduc-
ton in the size Of her army which is. necessary to
relieve her people Of an enormous military burden
rs the defensive treaty Under the terms*of which
Great Britain and the United States would bind:
themselves to come to the defense Of France
against aggression from Germany. With that as
isurance perhaps France could afford to reduce her
army to a mere skeleton. Without that assurance
she cannot.
The inclusion ofs Italy in the conference inev-
litably brings in consideration of affairs in the Med
l1teIranean and the Near East. Greece is ambitious,
and the remnants of Turkish power stiff exit. III
laiy's attitude will necessarily be affected III some
measure By sher conception Of her needs with refer
|enee to the tendencies Of her neiighbors,
Nevertheless, almost everything depends III such
leases on what the participants really desire. Invita-
IONS nave been extended to the other four great
powers and they have been accepted, OF viii 81.
The reception Of the invitation has been more th.an((
cordial and appreciative. And If the five nations
|afe represented in the conference BY men who ex-.
IPless tne u1questio1ably dominant sentiment for
peace each will BE prepared to go 4 long way ii.
making such concessions as viii make aS9eneraI
and constructive peace program possible and Mt
Bismarck dispatch says that the Industrial
Ieon n 81 starting :. champaign for the sale 81
STATE bonds That PR 600 expense bill almost looks
rs though some small efforts might have been made
along that line aifeady. 1s
Young Guninerscn made one mis-statement n
HE ~ I nov famous ano Gosurier-News extra, HI said that
Y, y might pc necessary for him to resign from the
sourner-News This was manifestlygyrong. sNo
Bil Lennke said On tie witness stand dat he
l nvsf,i na ~ liked Brinton. ~ safe to ~ that is
Iaossn5 iike nm my better now than ne did before.
Appafentiys Mrs Townisey has found that I'D
jinG Bill Langer aro1nd byg IKE Snose IA M ~,