The Washington herald., 1921-08-02
Is This the Era Of Peace?

armament conference is the attitude toward 1t
on the part of the people Of all the countries
involved. This was indicated by the huge peace
parades throughout Germany The declaration was
that there, shohld be more wars. This is the
sentiment which the allied governments should tos-
fes=s4d it can best be encouraged, we believe, by
the early admission of Germany into the league
OF nations though we realize that advice to this
ass =. s'"s with mighty bad grace fro" any A"s'
;-IThe same sort of evidence comes from Japan
where the business organizations and the people as
4 whole find that war and economics are as oil and
water. They want industry, trade, employment, re-
duced taxes and they have learned that these come
only with peace. This sentiment can no longer be
suppressed anywhere by governments The pro-
posal of this conference by the United States and its
acceptance is a response to public opinion. The in-
aAtye. came from the people; its conclusions de-
pend npon the people. The lrish-British settle
meni is but part of this same movement which is
actually worldwide.
Asa whole it is the most important develop
nent fEom the war. 1t indicates most clearly, both
far greater interest of individuals in government
and governmental policies and that the attitude Of
miIH toward war has changed. War has been
stripped of its glories, its psnoples its trappings,
its emotional appeal down to its naked horrors, its
hdeSasness and wretehed ugliness Those who still
think, n terms of war in numbers as those who
tep, year ago thinking peace. Today the
gfeat 1hass of all populations thinking, dream
Is, hoping longing for peace; they believe it can
Be aud. are determined it shall be.
It's this international temper which will surge
around the conference table. The atmosphere will
be sureharged with it. Those who negotiate will
know not alone what is expected from them, but
what is demanded of them. There will be little toll
GRANGE or patience with quibbling theorizing.
Where the intention is peace ornaments are not
needed. Those who longer merely
plead defense; they must name their enemy. They
must make clear the demand for it and where such
q condition exists, the cause must be removed.
Armament for defense is but armament for war.
Japan cannot plead that she must remain
armed because she must be an intensely industrial
nation to support her congested population. That
because of this she must have more than equal
economic opportunity, she must have that unnatural
economic advantage which goes only with political
privilege, or control on the Asatic mainland. This
Is a purely specious argument. With the nearness
of ra--materials and markets, combined with cheap
labor and living. Japan has a sufficient competitive
advantage over her chief commercial rivals who are
this country, Britain and Germany. Anything more
than equal opportunity, is more nor less than po
htical absorption, the parent Of wars.
II is easy to conjure this and like demands for
armament. But they are but demands for the right
thar carry war. The paramount interest OF the
United States on this hemisphere carries such
economic advantage political control. 1t does
not call for armies, for policing that closes
ports investment to any third nation
All of Siberia, South America, Mexico and
Africa open to Japanese emigration. There is
reonnfor many more the Asiatic mainland in
intensive industry, agriculture. There is
Istili#tess opportunity in this world for yellow
tas we'll as white, but to prevent wars and bring
tpeace this must be equal The law of economics,
mot the law of war must control, and with peace
domin ating the hearts and minds OF diplomacy
must give way to craftsmanship.