The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-08-13
SOLAR PLEXUS
BLOW IS GIVEN
PREPAREDNESS
Hughes Invitation to the Big
Powers Enunciates Doc
trine Liberal Element Has
Preached For Years
By DAVID LAWRENCE

Washington, Aus. :" - Preparedness
Z which so much was heard hrst from
Republican spokes men and later from
Democrats has received its first solar
v,e1uS from the Harding adminlstra-
ION. Secretary Hughes in his formal
invitation TO Great Britain. France.
Italy and Japan 10 conference on re-
iuction OF armament has Enumerated
doctrine which the liberal element has
%een preaching for years only 10 be de-
rIded by their opponents.
Armament; IN the opinion OF Mr..
Hughes. Is not only without economic
justification but IL u constant menace
o tho peace OF the world rather than
IN assurance OF its preservation"
There is a school OF thought even in
re Harding administration which does
II agree with that theory. and in Con-
-ress, to be sure, there always has been
IN element watch like the national Sc
urlty league and kindred organizations
insisted that the sureSt preventative for
var was preparedness. rhc naval and
military expenditures OF the United
states government have been variously
defended on the ground that IL was nee
"Sary TO arm against potential foes but
tho Harding administration through tho
Huahes note 10 the powers has reverted
u " oOolOH " lLSOlA "AiSh -
that ornaments should be reduced 10
a point consistent with domestic safety
that armies should be large enough
only 10 exercise domestic police power
md that navies should Do simply coast
guards
Armament Menace
But the decision OF the Harding ad-
ninlstration as rahected In the Hughes
MOTTO insist that ornaments are
constant menace to the peace OF the
'',orld rather than an assurance or It's
preservation" is really sequel 70 the
a.est tests whereby bombing from air
lanes was plainly shown TO be dan
GER to the capital ship which might in
'Ae' future prove conclu-ively the waste
N the enormous burden OF naval arm
,nerts Some hint OF this Is given IN
Mr. Hughes further declaration that
II MAY also be found advisable 20
formulate proposals by which In the m
crest of humanity the Us" ne"
agencies Of warfare may De suitably
Controlled"
In other words the use OF the air.
2lane and airShip in dropping bombs
has revolutionized warfare and the ne1t
war unless absolutely governed by
rules between the powers involved Will
mean an era OF unparalleled destruction
for established rules OF warfare was
demonstrated In tie last war and rather
than face the discouragine prospect OF
f-vtnr 20 regulate war while It Is IN
nrorress The American government at
's,st believes that the imperative
course Is TO take such steps as Will
nrevent 4 colossal conflict. II is ad-
rrit,ed that the white race cannot stand
another war like that which began In
rait. The United states government has
-ot limited the invitations to a discus
s'on Of naval armament but has asked
that all manner OF armament be re-
Auced and that Nil sources IT mlSunder-
standing removed not merely N The Far
p:as, but throughout the world. The
srroIhnance Of this broad statement Is
iust darninx on official Washington for
II mans that the Harding admlnStra-
ON has embarked again on the Sc.
~ international diplomacy 10 an enort
- accomplish what was LETT incomplete
,od.r the last adTinistra t:on--a dem
tie agreement to end, wars. Mr. Hughes
rointedlv wrote that III is quite clear
mere ran hc no final assurance OF peace
and the prospect Of reduced ornaments
= no, hopeful one unless this desire
ends expression IN practical etort 10
rer.ov. causes 81 misunderstanding and
a. seek ground for agreement as 20
principles and their application.
NahonF ASoociAt16n
While Il is stoutly denied that ne
r-nited States intends 70 SET Ut IVA
- the league OF nations the expectation
H~re Is that the disarmament conference
all soon develop IN" necessity ~ a
broad understanding IN the subject ot
preserving p.a~. and that Mr.. Hard
r,rs Id.as ror an association With tN-
~.her nations ~ t1-a world will ind
natural outlet at the November confer
~nce.
Meanwhile Tneodcr. Roosevelt Ir..
assistant secretary Of the navy. VII"
has been preaching lately the doctrine
81 his dtstin gulshed father 70 the erect
rhat the surest way TO preserve peace
ras to be prepared for war. hnds dlr-
ferent theory expanded by the s<crs-
tarv Of state Indeed. the hughes note
Is hailed as yindication or those Re-
publicans and Democrats who all aionS
have maintained that preparedness Tor
var with am % the major powers was
ne sur-s. way 70 excite suspicion ana
1yovoke hioodshed over controversies
that would otherwise sroulde- and IN
me b. .r,tnsuish-d by mutual con