Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-11-21

perhaps of more Importance than
made UP my mind, and I told Ger
many that such a thing was not
possible. and that II Germany un-
dertook thing of the sort she
would have to bear the conse-
quences, and the language was
understood.
But, gentlemen, II I had spoken
without having the French army
pack Of me. what would my words
had actually taken place, what
would have become Of Europe it
self? Europe is still in trou-
oious state. II iss composed OF
young states. newly come to life.
VINO could say what such conflict
might have become?
Army Prevents Trouble.
That IL the problem. and that was
the problem. and the struggle did
not take place because it was felt
that there was still a SUFFICIENT
force in Europe and in France to
preserve order.
Quite recently another ATTEMPT
has been made, a certain attempt
az the restoring OF the old order
OF things in the center of Europe
tnat might have set fire to the
powder magazine agafA. Nothing
happened because the allies were
IN perfect understanding, and the
INCIDENT was peaceably settled.
gentlemen. / give you these re-
You will see that there is nothing
In that that would draw us aside
from the path that leads to final
peace. / apologize for having been
with you SO long. and for having
trespassed upon your attention.
Perhaps at another time the Presi-
dent will be less inclined to allow
me to speak.
Explains Disqualification.
Gentleman: I shall very shortly
reach my conclusions. ..".
The thought of reducing the arm
aments. which was the noble pur-
pose of this conference, is not one
from which we would feel disin-
terested from the point of view of
land ornaments. We have shown
it already. Immediately after the
armlStlce rehabilitation began,
and rehabilitation began as rapid
ly and as completely as possible
According to the military laws of
France there are to be three class
es OF men: that is, three genera
tons of young men under the flag
That law is still extant; that law
is still valid. 1t has not been abro-
gated yet, and the government has
taken the responsibility to reduce
to two years the time spent under
other flags, and instead of three
classes - three generations of
young men, we have only two un-
dergoing military service. It is.
therefore, an immediate reduction
by one-third that has already
taken place in the effectives-and
! am speaking of the normal ef-
fectives of the metropolis, leaving
aside troops needed for colonial
occupation or obligation imposed
by treaty in Rhineland or coun-
tries and other plebicite. We did
not think that endeavor was suf-
ficient. and in the future we have
plans in order to further restrict
the extent of our armies
In a few days it is certain that
the proposals of the government
will be passed in the chamber. and
in order to further reduce tire mil
itary service by half That is TO
say, there will be only one class
and a half actually serving. The
metropolitan French army would
be, therefore. reduced by half. but
If anybody asks US to go further.
to consent to other reductions, /
should have to answer clearly and
definitely that it would be impos-
sible for US to do it without ex-
posing ourselves to a most serious
danger.
Ready to show Sincerity.
You might possibly come and tell
US This danger that you are ex-
posed to, we see it. we realize it,
and we are going to share it with
you. We are going to offer you all
means-put all means at your dis
posal in order to secure your safe
ty." Immediately. if we heard
those words of course we would
strike upon another plan. We
should be only too pleased to dem
onstrate the sincerity of our pur-
pose. But we understand the diff
fculties and the necessities of the
statesmen Of other countries. We
understand the position of other
peoples who have also to face diff
ficult and troublous situations. We
are not selfish enough to ask other
people to give a part of their eov-
ereign national independence in
order to turn it to our benefit and
come to our help. We do not ex-
pect it; but here l am appealing to
souA SohoSichSc5, IL IduCc Is "
remain alone, facing the situation
such as have described. and with
out any exaggeration-you must
not deny her what she wants in
order to insure her security. You
must let her do what she has to
do. IL need arise and if the time
comes
Moral Disarmament Dangerous.
1 should be the last one here to
try to restrict the noble en-
deavors which are being made
here in order to limit armament
as in the conference which has
purposes in view; and / should
like to be able to say that I fore
see no limit. no restriction to your
labors and to the results which
you may achieve. Any question
here can be debated and can be
resolved upon, but I must draw
your attention to one thing:
would be very dangerous.
Allow me to say it will be most
unjust. We do not enjoy the
sufficient condition. We should be
ready to do it, but the time has
not come me yet to give up our de-
in Europe. We have to know.
however. that France is not
morally isolated; that she still
has with her the men of good will,
and the heart of all people who
have fought with her on the same
battlefield. The true condition of
a moral disarmament in Germany
II mean to say am referring to
these noxious elements of which i
have already spoken-the true
condition at this time Of dis
armament in Germany lies in the
fact that 1t should be known over
there that France is not alone,
and then feel quite sure that the
poisonous propaganda OF which
haave spoken will simply run up
dead against the wall; that it will
not be able to go through, and
that nobody anywhere will believe
in it.
Have Not Yet Come.
Those that still haFbor evil de-