New-York tribune., 1921-12-08

the whole ocean by the ratio offered,
for the time at least. is practically
Britain's own. And neither Great
Britain nor Japan proposes the discon-
tlnuance of the alliance that leaves
thesc two empires together not only
the supreme maritime potency In the
world, bvt in effect divides tho whole
OF Asia between them, China included,
as the only spheres Of influence that
have any force behind them.
Beginning Made at Washington
Certainly the conference at Washing-
ton will not fail. 1t cannot fail, be-
cause its results will show just what
is to be expected Of the best method
of procedure that the wit of man can
devise. Here, rs Secretary Hughes
said are the power and responsibility
the power to act justly and the respon-
sibiiity for doing or not doing it If
this conference cannot do this what
imaginable conference can? 1t will
not, certainly cannot, Go all that Is to
be done, for many things require
further examination and report. Ii
this conference makes good advance
others can follow and complete It's work
and continuously existing council
can watch over the execution of it's de-
cisions.
The alternatives that lie before US a.
this critical moment, frankly expressed,
are understanding or isolation. The
on as in the recent past. Our Eu-
ropeau friends say: "The United
States Is rich and strong, without ter
ritorial ambitions, and enjoys the per-
feet confidence Of all the world. II the
United States would call general dis
armament conference to include the
European powers and urge the discon- =
tinuance af armies Europe would re-
spond."
Yes, Europe would respond No
doubt Of it. But in what spirit and
with what demands? Let the present
conference answer, If we cannot ex-
ercise influence here without making
demands, supported with force, what
would happen in o conference where
all the quarrels Of Europe and Asia
were on the sgenda7 who would have
the "power" and the responsibility
there? What would the United States
be but the sought-for tool and adjutant
Of every European national interest
And when that expectation of aid was
disappointed how many friends would
America have in the world?
europe declared ON Trial
Europe has its League Of Nations,
its statesmen Of experience, its own
solidarity of interest, it's own prospect
of common disaster, if it does not act
Why should Europe look to America
for anything beyond just and honor
able treatment? Let Europe show its
quality at Washington. Let it show
its readiness, yes it's desire. for com
plete and cordial understanding
Secretary Hughes said in response to
M. BRAND, "The cause of human lib
erty is never isolated" and ne might
ing should not be isolated. To right
minded Europe, America would glad
ly extend a fraternal hand, but
Europe is on trial before the world.
Let 1t not be thought that Ameri-
can idealism is inexhaustible. 1t is
associated with considerable practical
wants peace, America would gladly
help her to have it. But the present
conference is living object lesson ia
America, and some Americans are
learning from it their first lessons in
diplomacy. The great height to which
the spirit of remuneration rose on No
vember IL presents the possibility OF
very deep fall if there is disillusion
regarding the utility of associated eff
dent Harding said, in words that the
American people will never forget
that the task before the present con.
ference is that "finer, nobler thing
which no nation can do alone" But
there are things that America can do
IT the necessity is thrust upon her
alone and in her own strength.