The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1921-01-13

upon to pay during the years that
lie immediately ahead. The items
that enter into the national budget
are therefore Of more absorbing in
terest now than perhaps ever be-
fore. Nearly So per cent Of the bud
get as 1t stood shortly before the
end Of the last fiscal year was de-
voted to the payment Of charges in
CURED in the conduct Of recent and
previous wars, and nearly % per
cent to the expenses Of the War and
Navy Departments. In all, therefore,
a total Of nearly SO per cent was
devoted to past war and prepare
ton for possible future war. We
cannot shake off our liability for
obligations incurred in the past, but
we can resolve not to assume the
intolerable burden of armament
competition in preparation for an
other conflict. There has already
been striking evidence that the com
mon people are increasingly de-
handing relief Prom the appalling
cost Of modern werfare.
The great conflict left no more
urgent problem than that of max
ing future wars impossible. The
colossal destruction of life and of
property, the vast sum of human
involved in war, the dan
ger that another conflict may de-
stroy our very civilization itself,
have all turned mems minds as never
before, toward the goal of interna-
tional peace and good will. States
men and leaders are striving to at
tain it. The masses of people
everywhere long for its realization.
The most practical first step in the
direction of peace and good will is
the reduction of national armament.
Major General Tasker Fl. Bliss,
IN a remarkable address recently de-
livered in Philadelphia, referred to
The doctrine of increasing armament,
heretofore adopted by other nations.
"The application of this doctrine"
he said, "seems to have tendency
/ is true, to reduce the frequency of
wars. But the ultimate result is in
svitable. The pent-up, dynamic
forces of the nations reach a point
If tension at which resistance ceases
and then comes an explosion which |
'ocks the world to its base" Those
ire mistaken, he states, "who may |
hink there can be an enduring and |
effective association Of the nations
or the maintenance of peace so long
Is those nations are armed to the
eeth solely against each other. And
hose are mistaken who think that,
o long as the present military sys-
EN- exists there can be any peace
ul international court of arbitra-
ion."
We are convinced these state.
ients are profoundly true, and
therefore, heartily endorse and urge
pom the favorable attention of the
xecutive and legislative branches of
ur government, the two proposals
hat have been put forward looking
oward the reduction of armament:
First-That this country shall
nter into an agreement with other
ations for so-called naval holi-
ay and refrain from new naval
obstruction for period of years.
Second-The even more funda-
entail and important proposal so
onyincingly presented by General
hiss, that this country shall take
Ie lead in a movement looking
ward a worldwide reduction Of
mics.
Financial consideration alone are
Efficient to justify these proposals.
1T far more fundamental is the \
'oidance Of future war. May the .
iited States embraces to the full, :
e wonderful opportunity to lead in !.
movement that is Dictated nv hu-