The Washington times., 1921-04-12

a free and orderly, representative
democracy. We face the fact that
many millions of people OF African
descent are numbered among our
population, and that in number OF
states they constitute q very large
preSortion of the total population.
II n unnecessary to recount the dIf-
ficulties incident to this condition,
nor to emphasixc the fact that II 10
a condition which cannot be removed.
There has been suggestion, however.
that some Of Its difficulties might be
ameliorated by q humane and en-
liRhtened consideration of 1t. study
of it's many aspects, and an effort to
formulate. II not q policy. at least q
national attitude Of mind calculated
to bring about the most satisfactory
possible adjustment Of relations be-
tween the races. and of each race to
the national life. One proposal 10
the creation of commission em-
bracing representatives of both races.
to study and report on the entire sub
iect. The proposal has real merit.
am convinced that in mutual tolcr-
ance. understanding, charity. recoyni-
tion of the interdependence of the
races, and the maintenance OF the
rights of citizenship lies the road to
righteous adjustment
It is needless to call your attention
to the unfinished business inherited
from the preceding Congress. The
appropriation bills for Army and Navy
will have your early consideration.
Neither branch OF the Government
can be unmindful of the call for re-
duced expenditure for these depart
ments of our national defense. The
Government Is In accord with the wish
to eliminate the burdens of heavy
armament. The United States ever
will be in harmony with such
movement toward the higher attain
ments Of peace. But we shall not en-
tirely discard our agencies for defense
until there is removed the need to de-
fend. We are ready to cooperate
" ith other nations to approximate
disarmament, but merest prudence
forbids that we disarm alone.
The naval program which had its
beginning in what seemed the highest
assurance of peace can carry no threat
after the latest proof of our national
unselfishness, The reasonable limi-
tation of personnel may be combined
with economies of administration to
lift the burdens of excessive outlay.
FAvORs MILITARY TRAINING.
The War Department is reducing
the personnel Of the army from the
maximum provided by law in June.
1920, to the minimum directed by Con-
gress in a subsequent enactment.
When further reduction is compatible
with national security, II may well
have the sanction of Congress, so
that a system OF voluntary military
training may offer to our young man.
hood the advantages of physica4 de-
velopment, discipline, and commit
ment to service, and constitute the
army reserve in return for the train
ing. -
Nearly two and a half years ago the
world war came to an end, and yet
we find ourselves today in the tech
nical state of war. though actually at
peace. while Europe is at technical.
peace, far from tranquility and little
progressed toward the hoped for
restoration.
1t nl becomes us to express i'm
patience that the European bellig-
erents are not yet in full agreement,
when we ourselves have been unable
to bring constituted authority into
accord in our own relations to the
formally proclaimed peace.
Little avails in reciting the causes
of delay in Europe or our own failure
to agree. But there is no longer ex-
cuse for uncertainties respecting
some phases of our foreign relation
ship. In The existing League of Ma
tions. world governing with its super
powers this Republic will have no
part There can be no misinterpreta-
tion, and there will be no betrayal of
the deliberate expression of the
American people in the recent elec-
ton and, settled in our decision for
ourselves, IL is only fair to say to
the world in general, and to our as
sociates in war in particular, that the
league covenant can have no sane
tion by us.
The aim to associate nations to pre-
vent war, preserve peace. and promote
civilization our people most cordially
applauded. We yearned for this new
instrument of justice, but we can
have no part in committaI to an
agency of force in unknown con-
tingencies: we can recognize no
super au thority.
LEAGUES PURPOSES DEFEATED.
Manifestly the highest purpose of
the League Of Nations was Defeated
in linking 1t with the treaty of peace
and making II the enforcing agency
of the victors Of the war. Interna-
tional association for permanent peace
must be conceived solely as an instru-
mentality of justice, unassociated with
the passions Of yesterday. and not so
constituted As to attempt the dual
functions of a political instrument of
the conauerors and OF an agency of
peace. There can be no prosperity for
| tho fundamental purposes sought to
be achieved by any such association
so long as 1t is an organ of any par
ticular treaty, or committed to .he
attainment of the special aims of any
nation or group of nations.
The American aspiration. indeed, the
| world aspiration, was an association
Of nations, based upon the applics-
/ ton of justice and right. binding us
in conference and cooperation for the
prevention of war and pointing the
way to a higher civilization and in
ternational fraternity in which all the
world might share. In rejecting the
| League covenant and uttering that
rejection to our own people, and to
the world, we make no surrender Of
our hope and aim for an associatin
to promote peace in which we would
most heartily join. We wish IL to be
conceived in peace and dedicated to