The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1921-11-17

L
four, referring to the proceedings of
Saturday and adding
"The secret was admirable kept. l
hope all the secretsvso long as they
may not be secrets will be as well
kept"
| Telling of how he heard Secretary
Hughes proposals, Mr.. Balfour said he
suddenly realized he was participating
/ in "great historical event"
when the blow fell and the speaker
uttered the memorable words that
found an echo in the civilized world.
it excited profound SURPRISE" he said.
The history of world reconstruction
had been worthily opened.
"Many in my audience" he said, "are
citizens of the United States. The
United States stands solidly impregna-
bic with the lines of its communica-
lions protected, completely protected
from any conceivable hostile attack.
"It is not merely that you have
100000 people; it is not that you
are the wealthiest nation. The geo
graphical position of your country
makes you wholly immune from the
perils to which the British empire is
subjected.
Suppose your western states were
suddenly removed 1000 miles across
the seas; suppose you found that the
heart of your country was small and
crowded island depending on overseas
trade, depending on overseas COM
munication for raw materials. Sup
pose your population never had more
than seven weeks food and that this
had to be replenished from overseas.
"Then you will understand why it is
that every citizen of the British en-
pire, no matter where he lives, never
can forget that it is by sea communi-
cation that he lives and that without
it, he cannot live"
Mr.. Balfour said he did not want the
audience to suppose that he was clam
enting over the weakness of my
country"
Gar from it," he exclaimed with
emphasis. eve are strong in hope and
in the ardent patriotism that binds US
together But this stragetic weakness,
obvious to every one who reflects, is
known to our enemies. Then do not let
it be forgotten by our friends.
Had Admiration and Approval.
These references, I have INDUCED
in to explain why am addressing YOU.
We have considered the great scheme
laid before you by our chairman. We
have considered it with admiration and
approval. We agree with it in spirit
and in principle. We look to it as be-
ing the basis of the greatest reform
in the matter of armament and prep
aration for war that has ever been
conceived or carried out.
| Il don't pretend, of course, that this
or any other scheme can deal with
every subject. AS was most clearly
explained by the secretary of state.
the scheme deals and deals only with
the three nations which own the larg-
est fleets at present in the world. It
therefore of necessity, omits all con-
slderatlon for the time being of the
European nations who have diminished
the fleets and have at present no de-
sire, and hope, never will have a
desire to possess fleets beyond the
necessities that national honor and
national defense require. 1t does not
touch the heavy burden of land arma
ment. What it does do is one of the
biggest things that has ever vet been
done by constructive craftsmanship.
1t does deal with the three great
fleets of the world and with the pro-
portion of disarmament which it laws
down for those fleets.
Acceptable as to BattIeships.
taking the battleships as basis"
said Mr.. Balfour, 1--WE think. the prom
ositions between the various countries
are acceptable. We think the limita,
ton of ornaments is reasonable. We
think it should be accepted. We be-
lieve thoroughly it will be accepted"
Mr.. Balfour suggested that the SUBJ
marine tonnage might well be reduced
and that possibly construction on large
submarines should be prohibited.
The suggestions for changes in the
proposals." Mr.. Balfour said, amid ap-
plause, 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 gem
eral American plan, the audience rose
and applauded for half minute.
cat first glance" said Mr.. Balfour,
"our experts think that too large an
amount of tonnage has been permitted
for submarines. They are the most
abused agency of the war. The sub
marine is defensive weapon of the
weak. It might be desirable to abolish
the submarine altogether.
Would Revise Submarine Plan.
"Our experts believe that the sub
marine tonnage proposed is far in ex-
cess of that possessed by any nation
"I only throw this out as a sugges-
tion-that the tonnage should be
further limited. It might be prac-
ticable or desirable to forbid alto
gether those submarines.
"In striking the imagination" Mr..
Balfour said in closing, "not merely
the Imagination of those sitting here,
but of the whole civilized world-you
have made the opening of this con-
ference one of the landmarks in hui