Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-06-06
DISARMAMENT MUST
COME ON THE SEA FIRST
Forces Are Impossible in the
Present State Of the World

Present state Of the World
LNNENTS iu Washington Indicate that the
IL manner in which tho subject Of dis
armament is to be- approached by the Ad
ministration has not been decided.
When the Borah resolution recommend
ing that the President arrange conference
on naval disarmament with Great Britain
and japan was introduced it was opposed by
Administration Senators This newspaper
at the timr reminded its renders that tho
initiative in foreign relations lies with the
President. and that if results were to be-
attained he should be allowed TO decide how
and when tho subject of a modification of
naval programs should be- discussed with
foreign nations. It is doubtless the ntcn-
ti0n of the President to retain that initiative.
But as the days went by the opposition to
Senator Boral's resolution began to be- in
tcrpr"tcd as opposition to any form Of dis.
armament. and the Senator began to get
glory as the spokesman for the great mass
Of people who wish something to be- done to
discourage war. This put tho rest of the
Senators in u false position. Then tho word
was passed that tho resolution was to be-
adopted with no further objection. and when
it came 10 a vote it was supported unani.
mously
Attempts arc now making in tho House
to amend tho resolution 50 as to include
consideration Of disarmament on land as we'll
rs on tho sea when the proposed conference
is held. II is charged by Senator Borah that
this expansion Of the purpose Of the rcsou-
tion is an attempt to prevent by indircCton
what could not be prevented directly. He
may be right. There are many persons who
do not think the time is opportune for pre-
cipitating a discussion Of smaller navics.
They are experts in manipulation and they
mn hpyp l,1 t,,t,
members Of the House to assist them. Land
disarmament is on very different footing
from reduction in sea forces.
Senator Borah is right when hc says that
an attempt to bring about land disarmament
mt the present time is bound TO fail. Al the |
Geneva meeting of the Assembly Of the |
League of Nations France announced that |
she would not consider n reduction Of her |
armies and would not even vote for the !
prinCipl" Of disarmament. SO long as con.
ditionS in Russia remain unsettled, with tho |
possibility of the emprgencc Of a Russian |
military leader with u genius for organiza- |
ton. tho other European nations must b"
prepared to defend themselves on land. And |
so long as Germany remains in her present |
mood no responsible Frrnchman can be founn |
who would advocate weakening the French |
military forces.
1t has remained for the .tppanesc to re-
mind the world that it is ignoring the ma
Chinery provided for the adjustment of the |
military and naval problems. The League
OF Nations srcrctariat asked the members of |
the League for their views as to the pro
prcty Of limiting their military cxpcndi-
lures for the two years following til" next
fiscal year to the amount appropriated in
this years budget. The reply of Japan.
given out by its embassy in Washington.
is that it would be 'inopportunc' to max"
lny such agreement in view Of the fact that
the Council Of the League has not yet COM
Dlctrd the plans for disarmament which il
Is commissioned to prepare
Article VIII OF the League Covenant to
which Japan appeals in support of it's
Course. provides the way for lnsSoning the !
military burdens of the nations II was
carefully drafted after the fullest discussion
1t begins with declaration that the mem
Dcrs recognize that the maintenance of peace
requires the reduction of national arma-
ncnts to the lowest point consistent with
natiOnal safety and the enforcement by
common action Of international obligations"
Tho council is then directed to formulate
plans for such reduction, after taking ac-
cunt Of the geographical situation and cir
of each State. and to recommend
is adoption by the several Governments. 1t
is further crowded fhat after tho plans have
been adopted by tn" Governments the limits
If armament fixed shall not be exceeded
without the concurrence Of the council.
SO long as tn" United States remains out
side Of the League il will find itself in an
position whenever it seeks to
liscuss limitation Of naval armnmcnts with
member nations. They arc Obliged to act
with tho other nations II they act ut all.
They cannot very we'll make independent
agreements with an outside nation.
Yet il Mr.. Harding should consider it
to act on the recommendation Of
the R0rah resolution, assuming it is finally
passed in its original shape. conference of
III" Init"d States with Japan and Great
Britain On naval armamcntS might result
in tho disclosure Of n policy which these
nations ar" willing to follow. and would
hUS b" helpful to III" Council Of the League
IN tho preparation Of its romDrchcnsivr plan
for tn" r"guIatou of In" size Of tn" naval
nf