The Washington herald., 1921-01-21
Man is but a reed, the weakest in nature
but he is a thinking reed-Blaise Pascal
How Strong Is Public Opinion?

n The course OF the last two three weeks
nearly every newspaper and the great majority
pi the leaders in Great Britain and the, United
States have given enthusiastic approval to pro-
posals OF one sort another which should put an
end to the runous for supremacy in arma-
ments
rs ior the who must pay the bills with his
money and eventually with his blood, there can
be d. doubt where he stands on this question The
only opposition comes from few chauvnists
JInSOeS and cynical mihtarists who wag their heads
du4ously nlurmur about the unchangeablcness OF
human nature and rcterate the somewhat discred-
itcf doctrine that the best guaranty OF peace is
preparedness ior war
"a world in the throes of d struggle to recover
froa1 the tragic effects OF just such guaranty Of
peace is not disposed to listen seriously to the
argalment that the new proposals arc visionary and
imgracticable.
But there have been popular demands ior the
reduction or limitation OF armamcnts, naval holi-
days and the like before and nothing has come OF
thefn. 1t seem, that whenever some great human
desire must pass through diplomatic channels to
reach its lulhllmcnt, it becomes so cntangIcd and
ha1nPered by the impedimenta OF diplomatic pro-
cedrre that It tails OF accomplishment
The end that is sought is lost in the mazes Of
balances OF power, treaties, spheres OF in
fuence and similar artificial cxpcdcnts OF dipIo-
macy. The very real and very fcryent hope OF the
world that there may come out OF the tragic cN-
perience OF the last few years some definite and
tangible action to remove the burden OF armament
and menace OF war may be denied realization by
the same forces that have thwartcd this hope in
the past.
is the force OF enlightened public opinion strong
cnOpsh to break down the barriers which make
secrer and sinister diplomacy the only medium for
International relations2
The part which America has PLAYED in the es-
tabIShment OF international understanding to take
the pacc OF the armed truce which has existed since
the -srmistce has not been particularly brilliant
Ihs~Iact that we were not a member Of the league
OF nations and our refusal to cooperate in the
leassss disarmament plans have been given as
reasoPs for the failure OF that body to act in this
vcryssital matter.
-Ae arc still, however, in a position to prove
thaethe Oft-reiterated professions Of our desire to
hnd~a way to prevent are not empty phrases
Senator BOrah's proposal to negotiate with Great
Britain and Japan for reduction of naval armament
is sSed Senator JOhnsons proposal that the five
allis%and associated powers unite in a program OF
dissrnament is better
But as Gen. Bliss ha, pointed out as long as
gregg armies are kept wars are possible even il!
navsss abolished and it is perfectly obvious that
waFlIe prOclvities not restricted to the five
alled-and associated powers
The reasoning which justihcs common action
amqRg three nations or five will certainly justify
eStenson OF that action to embrace the nations
OF Is world.
:sThe bittercst opponents OF the league OF nations
have often declared their desire to do something to
inslIEs peace among the nations. They will never
havs-f better opportunity to demonstrate the sin
ccrtss Of their declarations, than they now have 1t
Willie difficult to raise the hobgobn Of the super
state from any OF the disarmament proposals.