Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-11-11
LOOkIN. TO WASHINGTON.

rruthfully and almost literally II
may bc said that the eyes of the world
or, today turned to Washington. the
Capital of our Nation. And in that
direction they will remain liked until
the deliberations of the notable' con-
ference there assembled shall be COM
pic,ed.
Fer today there was convened at
Washington the most important gath |
,rng of the worlds greatest men.
that ever assembled anywhere. To
these men have been committed con-
sidcration OF the most momentous
tissue ever put up to representatives
of civilized nations--tho issue of
World Peace. II such a grand accom-
plishmont be within the power of NOR
Gal mon.
Not since the Congress OF Vienna.
which sat for months. more than a
century ago. 20 remake the map OF
Continental Europe after the fall OF
Napoleon. has there been such an inn
portant gathering. But vastly differ
ert are the purposes and inspirations
that dictated the decisions of the Con-
gros- 81 Vienna. and those that are
expected TO influence the Judgment Of
the delegates to the Conference on the
Limitation OF Armaments. which is
now In session at Washington. The
ono could make its decisions with as
surancc that they would be enforced
Ivy the iron hands OF the most power
ful of Europe's nations. The confer
encc that is about to make an earnest
endeavor to blaze the pathway to,
World Peace has no mandatory power,
can issue no orders. and can do moth
ing but suggest the measures which
thc wisdom Of a majority OF its MEM
bsrs may consider the most effective.
But IL is not TO be held that the
Conference for the Limitation Of Arm
amcnts will be void OF real power 1t
can issue no mandate for the enforce
ment Of its conclusions. but there is no
doubt It's recommendations viii be
held In great respect by all the nations
which are represented by its partici-
pants. Prevailing conditions all point
90 this result.
All the nations of Europe are to-
day financially crushed, or crippled,
by the after effects of the World War.
All OF them are burdened with debt.
and under prevailing conditions face
a future that will mean continual
ton of the most burdensome of ex-
ADMINISTRATION for war purposes
unless the result of the conference
shall be a general movement for the
radical limitation of armaments. And
while our country is in far the best
condition ia meet the burdens i'm
posed by the war, and to continue a
policy that would mean additional
burdens Tor war purposes. the flnan-
tAting that public sentiment here, a.
well az in the Old World. strongly in
clines TO peace as q practical and
profitable policy.
Very simple. very easy Of settle
ment, from one point OF view. appears
the leading issue before this import
ant gathering. Merely the unani.
nous adoption of a resolution that all
the nations concerned shall immedi.
ately proceed TO the reduction Of nava
and military armaments-their armie.
to level consistent with the proper
police protection of the respective ma.
ticns. and their navies to the size ac.
tually required for due protection Of
their commerce. But this APPARENT,
0mple matter is involved In such I
tAnKle OF suspicion, of jealousy, O
fear that one nation may take undu,
advantage Of another, Of lurking de
sire for advantage through superio
military and naval power that ma,
inure to large financial benefit. that /
would be almost marvellous if a prac
kcal and satisfactory basis Of entIr
agreement should be evolved. and al
the nations unite in such a tremend
GUS stride toward World Peace.
Yet the outlook u by no means hope
less. not even discouraging. Benin
nearly every representative to tn
notable gathering stands a people sic
Of war and earnestly desirous Of peace
weighted by wars burdens and anx
eus for relief and = restoration