The Washington times., 1921-11-14
RUIN NPRED|CTED
SHOULD NATIONS
REJECT HUGHES
Gerard Contends Failure to Re-
duce Arms Must Bring Back
Chaos Of 1914.
BY JAMES w. GERARD.
Former Ambassador to Germany.
Written for the international News
Service,

Copyright. 1891 by !. N. 81
A composite portrait Of the dele
gates to this conference would show
the face Of a man determined to nc.
complish. There was an atmosphere
Of action when the congress assem-
bled and into that atmosphere Secre-
tary Hughes Immediately, without
preliminaries. throw the Golden APP
pie, not OF discord, but OF Opportun-
ity.
No longer the Hughes of the pussy
footing campaign of 1916; no longer
the justice of the supremen court
professionally and dispassionately
splitting legal hairs, he boldly pro-
posed a practical program of naval
disarmament.
Britannia singlehandled is not to
rule the waves, but there is no prob
ability that Britons will become
slaves II the trident, symbol of naval
rule, IL shared with America and jap
an. Rather are Britons, IL the
present competition in warship build
ing continues, certain to become
slaves, bound by the chains Of finan-
cial slavery-bound. poor bankrupt
taxpayers, to the chariot of the God
OF War.
Germany an Example.
Germany refused the offer of
naval holiday made by Great Brit
ain and that refusal was perhaps the
first nail in the coffin Of German
hopes, of world rule. for 1t was PLAIN
notice to Great Britain that Germany
contemplated rivalry-certainly war,
perhaps. 1t was a warning to
Great Britain to keep her naval
armor bright. A warning that was
not disregarded.
If Great Britain agrees to the cut
In naval armament proposed by us
then 1t would seem that Japan must
fall in line; to refuse would be as in
the case of Germany. notice to all
the world that the die had been cast
and the crimson sun which blazes
on the battle flag of Japan would
be carried to conquest or would go
down in final defeat.
The proposal of Secretary Hughes
II bold and sudden and sweeping. 1t
means a long conference If 1t is
seriously considered by the assem-
bled nations, because each nation
will seek consent to the realization
Of its aspirations before 1t agrees.
For ourselves we are satisfied with
the world as 1t is. We want only
peace, an opportunity to trade on
an equal basis with all countries.
But the proud people of Japan
feel that they have a right to social
equality in the family of nations, the
same right to expand and to find a
place for their growing populations
which France, Great Britain and
America have always claimed and
exercised; and at the same time must
be settled our right to exemption
from peaceful penetration by any
race which does not allow in the
melting pot of America.
Frances Aims.
From other nations will come other
claims. The French delegations,
whatever their ostensible object, has
really two aims: First. to obtain
forgiveness of part of the financial
debt which France owes us. and,
secondly, a promise that France shall
be protected for all time from the fear
Of another German invasion. Public
opinion in America seems against
them on both points.
After all the answer rests with
Great Britain. What thinks the
powerful statesman philosopher brain
Of Arthur James Balfour? BY blood
a Cecil. of the family which has had
a hand in the ruling of England
since the first great Cecil was min
lister to the Virgin Queen Elizabeth.
Is Balfour far-seeing enough to real
iEe changed conditions and to consent
in the cause Of all humanity, as well
N Rrifdiu'a financial interesf that