The New York herald., 1921-09-25
Big UNION IN EUROPE
URGED TO END WARS
Gen. Hoffman, Former Chief
of Staff Of Ex-Kaiser, Sees
Conferences Fail.

Special Gable TO THE NEW YORK IIraALr
Ccpgright, 1891, by Tim New Yos-z 1=asaep.
New ya-k Hssiia bureau,
Berlin. sept. 23.
Conference and arbitration boards as
such will not end wars or remove tho
cause for conflicts, the only real remedy
being 10 eliminate differences between
nations, is the opinion of Major-Gen.
Hoffman. formerly chief of star of the
Eastern Army and the man who made
the German plans for the battle of Tam
enberg. Later he became commander of
the German Armies I'm the East Hes
negotiated the treaty OF Brest-Litovsk
with Soviet Russia, and, with Field
Marshal Hindenburg and Gen. Luden-
dorff stands out most conspicuousy
among German generals.
This was the view Gen. Hoffman ex-
pressed when THE New York HERALD
correspondent here asked his opinion Of
the forthcoming Washington conference
for the limitation of armament.
Gen. Hoffman. who is full of vigor,
looks toward a Russian campaign as the
means OF bringing about the unity he
desires between European nations. His
scheme, which was advanced some time
age. is for joint American and European
action against the Russian Bolsheviki.
'Humanity's solemn duty Is to limit
warfare between peoples" Gen. Hoffman
said. discussing the forthcoming WASH
ington meeting. but / do not believe
1t is realizable through the formation Of
arbitration courts with authority above
that OF the States. An essential condi-
ton of all justice Is impartiality.
"Rut nj tarpa ffona1 diSrtItes even
those of relative Importance, concern
the interests of all great Powers. The
impartiality in putting such questions
before an arbitration tribunal composed
of all the nations is less in the inverse
ratio to the Importance of the question
involved No people would consent to
submit a dispute upon whose settlement
depended their existence to tribunal
which could not be impartial until after
they had sought a solution OF 1t through
armed force.
Furthermore. each such court must
necessarily have a sufficient force to
enforce It's sanctions The supreme arbi-
tration board therefore. should alone
have arms, and Individual States be en-
tlrely disarmed. 1t would be essential,
at least, that the supreme tribunals
forces exceed those of each State.
The formation of such an organiza-
tion is most improbable.
'Ssince most of the wars are between
European peoples the essential security
is to eliminate differences among the
great Powers and to develop common
interest
"Greater economic development Is mo-
mentarily prevented through the Russian
obstacle The Soviet Government,
through wars and with the sword, pro-
poses forcing q world revolution against
the West A battle between the tyrants
who made slaves Of millions of Russians
and European civilization is ahead.
"Only when civilized peoples have
custed these dictators who prevent the
inclusion OF Russian trade within that
Of the world and undertake the recon-
struction of freed Russia--only then will
be possible community OF interest be-
tween the great European Powers that
will permit reduction of armaments to
a minimum necessary for domestic police
needs.
The European continent. through
such development. could resemble tho
United States, where internal conflict Ia
eliminated. The formation of such n
league as the American Union excludes
the possibility OF military danger for
the United States or the American conti-
nent. 1t Is entirely impossible that F'u-
ropean Powers could land modern
army of million men on American soil
or transport them across the Atlantic.
Also 1t is equally impossible that the
United States or another American coa-
iition could make war against the COM
bined European Powers on this cont.
rent.
1.-THE realisation Of such an idea seems
70 me the only possible way to reduce
the danger and the scope of future wars
as far as Is humanity possible. This in
wolves creating circles OF common inter-
national economic interests, and then.
through collaboration with America fl
nancially, aid in the reconstruction Of
Russia"