Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-11-11
INDUSTRY AND
SCIENCE BASIS
FUTURE WARS
Restrictions in Armaments
Expected to Result in
New Methods.

LONDON, Nov. 1.-THE prospect of
reduction of ornaments is giving pause
to many long-headed thinkers in Bril-
tain
Generally speaking, the public, except
the more active leaders of Labor, does
not care particularly about the disarna-
ment issue. For centuries since, in fact,
the first English-being OF Teutonic ex-
traction-came to this island from Schles-
wig on the heels Of the departing Romans,
about drteen hundred years ago, plain
John Citizen has been accustomed to
bearing, without noisy complaint, the
Burdens Of arms and ornaments and
wars. 1t Is a habit.
That portion Of the population which
might-with apologies-be referred to as
the intslligensia is beginning to weigh
the pros and cons and the dim distance
consequences OF reduction Of ornaments.
The subject Is weighed with a question
mark.
We have come to think that only
France fears Germany. Fear is perhaps
a strong word. But Britain also is con-
cerned about Germany, PROSTATE as she
seems to be.
The reason is the conviction, abetted by
experts In the science Of warfare, that the
Inings. one of machines and chemistry.
Britain is finding that she is very
close to the Continent of Europe The
one-tine protective Channel has shrunk
to the size Of a biggish river. Its stra-
getic Importance as bulwark Of safety
Is diminishing.
Moreover, we are told, the next war will
be one OF industrial resources, and the
master warrior of the future viii be one
who can weld a lighting machine. where
OF the most far-iung departments of in
dustry become as essentially a fighting
unit as the battalion Of artillery.
Despite her Industrial supremacy in
certain restricted lines, Britain is not
an al-around industrial nation. Science
hasn't the same standing as it has in
Germany, or even in the United States,
The opinion is growing that restgic
ton OF the generally accepted form. Of
armaments-guns, ships, aeroplanes,
masses Of men, etc.-will result in the
secret devoting Of science to new meth
DDS Of warfare. That, while nations os-
tensibiy disarm, such nations as have
the power of control and direction OF
their Industrial development will quietly
build It, in time Of peace, toward the end
that it shall be convertible 70 war use
instantaneously. Germany. above all
others in Europe. is such a nation.
Germany is defeated and helpless. Yet.
is pointed out. she had progressed
farther in aeronautics than any other ma
lion, and she is developing this science
still further on a commercial basis, with
in the limits which the treaty allows.
Also. Germany's monopoly in certain IN
dustries essential to warfare is such that
Britain Is making frantic efforts to en-
courage such key industries here by high.
protective tariffs The anxiety of some,
officials has been so great in this re-
spect that they have just listed dolls
eyes among the favored and protected
eategories, winning the satirical plaudits
Of the opposition press.
With talk Of reduction Of ornaments
In the air, Just a hint Of the old pre-
war and wartime theory Of the Ger
man as a superman in science and the
science Of warfare is creeping back into
the public prints. Just a hint, but II is
enough to make some Influential men
lean over backward" on the question Of
disarmament.
The question In some minds here
abouts might be paraphrased thus:
If Hmits ton Of the known methods OF
warfare accelerates development Of new
methods and gives the highly organized
Industrial nation a running start toward
rgtory, shouldn't the subject be ap-
lrOacned with the most extreme caution
This is primarily the reaction OF the
Exponent Of pure reason applied to in
ternatiOnal affairs. Practical statesmen
who must find money needs must weigh
other considerations