The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-01-11

lately 10 become a member Of the
League of Nations. this government
should at once initiate steps toward
world disarmament plan
The President will have that
authority. Under the Naval Act OF
1919 the President OF the united
States is authorized by Congress 10
invite the nations OF the world TO SIT
around a table and talk Of reduction
LAYS TWO COURSES.
with reference TO the naval pro-
gram OF the United States" said Sec
rotary Daniels. "there are just two
courses. and only two. open
Il. To secure an internatIona
agreement with all, or pracucailS
all, the nations, which VIII guarah-
tee an end TO competition IN navy
building, reduce the national burueh'
and lead the movement TO secure anu
buttress world peace.
-. To hold aloof from agreement
or association with other nations as
to the size OF armament. THIS VIII
require us to build a navy strong
enough and powerful enough TO be
able to protect our own Americans
and American shipping, defend Amer
lean policies in the distant posses
slons as well as at home, and by the
presence of sea power TO command
the respect and fear of the world
ALTERNATIVE SURE DEATH.
There Is the third alternative OF
being content with a small may IN
a world of big navies. exposed TO Ger
tain destruction in case OF war with
great power or powers. l dismiss
that alternative without discussion
because it Is a waste of time 10 spend
money on an agency or war tha'
would be helpless II needed What
ever else the American people may
approve. they will not approve such an
ineffective policy Equality with the
greatest or an international agree
ment alone can be seriously consid
cred"
or the two plans, Daniels SAID, he
was in favor of the first.
Secretary Daniels went at length
into the suggestions for a naval holi
day" He recalled that 1t was iirs'
suggested by WinstoS Churchill In
1923. Churchill was then First Lord
OF the British Admiralty.
MAKES FOR SUSPICION.
"A naval holiday for one year OF
any period" continued the Secretary
lis like applying poultice when
surgery is required. No halfway
measures will meet the world ques-
ton. An alliance limited to the
United States, Great Britain, and
Japan would make for suspicion and
distrust and be followed later by a
counter entente among other nations
jealous of what they regard as an
Anglo-Saxon and Japanese alliance to
dictate to the world.
THE world has too many different
interests to look with favor on an
alliance of three great nations. ] an
sure these three would entertain no
desire to use their allied power ia
Cypress other nations. but l am
equally sure it would be impossib le
to convince all others of our unselfish
aims. They would properly inquire:
why are we excluded?'
CONDEMNS ALLIANCE.
mo, the suggested alliance or holi.
day between the United States. Great
Britain, and Japan, should not be seri-
ously considered. Instead of secur-
ing permanent reduction and con-
tributing to lasting world peace, IT
would dig up more snakes than it
would kill.
Let us not be stampeded into a
tri-partite alliance under the propa
ganda Of saving money today by af-
fronting all other nations or notify
ing them they are not in a class &c
questions which affects every nation
and all the peoples of the world"
ALLIANCES BREED DISTRUST.
Il would not ask the world to trust
the United States to be always Just
and unselfish if it had a navy so big
it could be master Of the seas The
world would not trust the United
states or any other two nations hav-
ing an alliance either Of reduction or
expansion"
SO far as available reports disclose.
the Secretary said, no formal offer of
a naval holiday has ever been made.
The Churchill suggestion in 1918 got
nowhere because it was received with
GOODNESS in Germany and France.
Holidays" continued the Secre-
tary. indicate cessation from work
for brief period with view to rel
turning to the old job when the holi-
day is over. The only wise course is
to end competitive navy building not
for one year or five years. and not by
"A few nations, but for all time by all
tnations.
TINE IS RIPE NOW.
THE time is ripe for securing such
an agreement now, and l would re-
gard it as serious mistake to fail to
embrace the opportunity for per-
manent policy of reduction by accept
ing in it's place a substitute in the
shape Of a tcrminable and unsatisfac-
tory holiday. The world is asking
for no play time, but for serious
business"
ETY. At cvvr~