Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1921-10-14
ON DISARMAMENT,

ON DISARMAMENT.
The following is taken from a re-
cent address Of DR.. John G. Hibbcn
President of Princeton University
before the student body body of that
iStitulion. DR.. Hibbcn is student
of the worlds condition ad is Cap
able Of cXprcSsiG himself and his re-
marks are worthy of consideration.
Declaring that the peace of the
world and the continued progress
OF civilization rest upon the out
| come OF the Washington Conference
President Hibbcn urged Princeton
| to lead the way and show the other
American Universities how the Ma
| tons young men can create condi-
lions which will tend to make war
an unthinkable thing:
II may be wrong" DR.. Hibben
SAID, but 1t seems to me that there
IS a general attitude of the American
people toward this conference al
Washington which expresses itself
IN sort Of cynical pessimism that
the conference is inevitably dcstin-
cd TO end in another chapter of dip
lomatic futility.
There is hope, howevre, if the
conscience of America is awaken
ed"
There is the menace which over
| shadows the earth today" "and
makes universal peace problcmatic-
al II not impOSsiblc--thc fcvcrish
rae" OF nations TO establish super
Tor ornaments.
fhc conference at Washington is
bi5 with possibilities both for The
present and future. And its decis-
IONS largely depend upon whether.
! America lakes Il decided and insis-
tent stand for reduction of arnla
, neds and is willing TO lead the way
Americas decision can be defer
mined now, as in the past, if the
people speak and urge with impor-
| iuhate demand What they all desire
1ut SO far have only fccbly EXPRESS
ca. The voice Of pubic opinion
should be heard with no uncertain
sound.
The strained economic condi-
lions such as we face at present moi
only retard industrial progress but
nave very vital effect as we'll an
On The intellectual, moral and spjr-
! iiuhi life Of the National pcrn,a-
i.cht obstacle to progress, which is
The flower and fruit of civilization
and the cherished consummation of
thrlSl mission upon earth.
| What would il mean at ihjs nor
100 Of our history if su,ur fraction
even Of the enormous aDpropria.
non ior ornaments could be divert
ca TO the purpose Of aiding cduca-
LION, 10 scientific research, TO mis-
! slonary enterprises of the Church.
hospitals and benevolent institu.
tons OF all kinds?
| More than this, it is obvious tha,
win The rapidly increasing colnpc-
tlllon OF ornaments there will no
bred natural suspicion among ma.
lions, secret diplomacy, the spirit
OF alTogancy, national scIf-sulIicicn-
cy and unfricnMlincss Of altitude IL
international rcIalions---all leading
inevitably 10 war.
me orc thing that will awaken
INC conscience OF America is the
united voice Of the young men of
I our !and-~.the men who would b,.
me first to volunteer and do ihei,.
! ph"i II war should ever come uDun
uS. hut who cen be Us equally de
'"rmil"d /" do their part now in
"idcf TO remove those present war
/ ccndit!cns which make war newt
able.
= feel HAT this is particularly
true VI Iilc Young men in Our uni
vcrSliic>. wish To urge upon vouI
serious consideration, Hereford. the
possibility Of organizing move
mcnt here which. with The co-oDcra
non "t the. Representatives Of other
iTcrSItirS throughout our country,
uliSbt give expression TO the CON
WCtl"nS upon this subject which |
am sure YOU must hold.
princeton is in position To take
the lead without being miSundcr-
stood. Our record in the movement
for preparedness and actual parti-
cipaiion in The World War makes
our stand for peace all The more
powerful. Then the price OF peace
vas war, and We had To pay the