Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-11-15

tiSn and approval. We agree with II
In spirit and principle. We look TO It
AZ being the basis OF tho greatest re-
form In the mater OF armament and
preparation for war that has ever
been conceived or carried out.
Biggest Step in Statesmanship.
"As was most clearly explained by
the secretary OF state, the scheme
deals. and deals only with the three
nations Which own the largest fleets
at present In the world. IL does not
touch the heavy burden OF land ar
mament. What II does do is one OF
the biggest things that has ever yet
been done by constructive statesman
ship. II does deal with the three great
fleets Of the world and with the pro-
portion Of disarmament which II lays
down for those fleets.
Taking the battleships as a basis"
said Mr.. Balfour. "we think the pro-
portions being the vaSious countries
are acceptable. We think the linhta-
ton Of amounts is reasonable. We think
- should be accepted We believe thor
ouEhly II will be accepted.
Mr.. Balfour suggested thst the sub
marine tonnage might well be red1c-
cd and that possibly construction Of
lnrge submarines should be prohibit
ed.
Bnlfour Cheered BY Delegates.
The suggestions for changes In the
proposals. Mr.. Balfour said. amid ap-
plaure, would not affect ''the main
structure" proposed by the United
states, which. he said, he believed
would be accepted.
When Mr.. Balfour promised the
'full. loyal and complete cooperation"
OF the British nation toward the gen
cral American plan. the audience rose
and applaudcd for half minute.
AT first glance" said Mr.. Balfour
our experts think that too large an
amount Of tonnage has been permit
ted for submarines. They were the
most abused agency OF the war.
The submarine is a defensive weapon
OF The weak. 1t might he desirable 10
i abolish the submarine altogether.
our experts believe that the sub
marine tonnage proposed is far in
excess Of that possessed by any ma
4 ton.
Suggests Cutting out Big Submarines.
Il only throw this out as n sugges-
tion-that the tonnage should be fur
i ther limited. II might be practicable
1 or desirable TO forbid altogether these
submarines OF vast. great size which
are not intended for defense but whose
whole purpose is attack and attack by
methods which civilized nations
athor."
At that point the audience and dele
gates again applauded.
There are other questions" Mr.
Balfour continued, "of replacement. II
cruisers which are not required for
fleet action. But those are matters
for consideration by the technical ex-
, perts. They don't affect the main
structure whcih the United States de.
sirs 10 exist and which we desire
earnestly to help.
! Now. | have little more 10 say ex-
9 cept this: II is easy to estimate in
dollars or pounds the savings 10 FAX.
payers of each nation which adoption
of this scheme would give. II is easy
!. TO show that relief will be great; that
! !, indirectly IT will greatly stimulate in.
dustries. national and internationa
= and do much TO remove the difficulties
under which civilized nations labor
All that Ia a matter Of figures, bu
. there~is something beyond numerical
calculations, something that goes {;
the root and which concerns the high
est interests.
n Makes Idealism Practical.
What does the scheme do? /
: makes idealism practical proposition
: II takes hold OF the dreams Of poet.
Of publicists; even potentates hav
put it before mankind as the goal {
:, which human endeayor should asrlr.
q What makes this scheme a Land
, mark that comes home to the dulles
brain and the hardest heart is ths
!. the United States has shown that In
n ternational peace not only is a goo
thing. but that war is horrible and hs
shown way TO make war impossibl
"In striking the imagination" VI
|. Balfour said. mot merely the in
h agination Of those sitting here. but
: the whole civilized world-you ha'
y made the opening of this conferen'
Ie one of the landmarks in human ci'
w ilization.''
d Mr.. Balfour concluded at II.
n O'Clock amid profound applause aft
IF reading his cablegram from Lilo,
"a George.
Z France and Italy Heartily Assent.
Speaking for Italy. Senator Schan
:. er told the conference the Americs
: plan had the general approval of n
government.
Is Italy Confident OF Success.
al Senator Schanzer declared TIA
AZ warmly applauded the American pla
t You prove at once that you mean
W carry out your suggestions he sal
in we wish TO express in the name
70 the Italian delegation our approval
III In conclusion the Italian spokesnia
o. said the details of the plans pT
Of marily were a matter for the nav
.e experts, but added he had contiden'
that the principles would bring
successful result not only for q
nations in the conference, but for {
r those OF the world.
oy Applause For French Leader.
of There was vigorous applause for L
at French premier who spoke slowly al
lr. clearly in his native tongue.
DC voiced complete approval of Mr.. B;
a' four's address. He urged the necs
u with the 20