The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1921-12-02
ARMS MEET SUCCESSFUL
PREDICTS DIR. S. ID. TESS
European Conditions VIII Force
Other Nations to Accept Lead
of the United States.

Success for the Harding admins
tration in its effort to limit arma-
ments and therefore assist in bring
ing about permanent world peace is
predicted by Representative Simeon
d Fess, of Ohio, chairman of the
National Republican Congressional
Committee. He says:
''The coming conference upon the
limitation of armament opens the
way to relieve the world of its great
est financial burden. In our own
country, known as a peaceful nation,
the maximum charge upon the treas
ury comes from war, past and pres
ent. SiXty-seven per cent goes to
past wars, % per cent to present de-
Tense, leaving a bare 10 per cent for
all other government functions. The
interest upon our public debt which
before the World War was negligible,
is now greater than the total cost OF
the government including Army and
Navy, before the war. The annual
charge for the cost of the wounded
soldiers and the care of the depend
ents of the dead is greater than the
cost of building the Panama Canal.
The construction of single battle
ship costs more than the total re-
uuirement of the machinery of the
government in Washington-legisla-
tive, executive and judicial for a
wear. Prior to the recent war the
fiscal demands for national defense
were constantly increasing to the
breaking point.
1.-THE war has left Europe bankrupt.
fCNl- Ill lob a
one-half her total wealth. Her budg-
cts are not growing less. The stu
alton calls for reductions. She can
not continue her program of defense
Sheer necessity will compel these
nations to find some relief from this
increasing burden. Japan is not SO
sorely pressed financially as Europe, !
but she is put to a severe financial
test from same source.
1.-THE United States is the only
country which can proceed with least
hurt because of her financial stand
ing, possessing as she does three
fifths of, the banking resources of the
entire world. In case armament pro-
grams cannot be safely discontinued,
our nation will suffer least and can
easiest meet the demands. All the
world knows this, hence the i'm
portance of our taking the lead in
the disarmament movement.
1.-THE war through which the world
has passed and the results of which
humanity is now suffering, is history's
greatest CONFUSION. During its
progress the heart of the world pal
plated from fear of humanitys ex-
tinction. The one supreme hope as a
result was a way to be agreed upon
to insure against the repetition OF
such a CONFUSION. The ambition OF
ex-President Wilson was to find the
way. He decided upon the League
of Nations as the plan. The purpose
was almost universally applauded.
For this reason upon its announce
ment it was quite generally approx
ed. Examination led to serious doubts
of the safety of the plan. 1t involv-
ed serious possibilities. Some OF our
public men feared the loss of our
national sovereignty and independ-
ence. /, myself, had grave fears OF
the possible dangers. No question
ever received such wide and general
and discussion. 1t was
referred to the people for their
decision with the results with which
all are familiar. Notwithstanding
this decisive position, the people /
were as eager to take the necessary ,
steps to avoid the crushing burdens
of war. I
president Harding had early an
nounced his intention to attempt I
world agreement based upon mutual !
of the nations. Inc j
conference Of the leading nations to :
devise plans to limit armament in his :
plan. The willingness and quick &C I
reptance of the nations invited dis ;
plays a salutary anxiety for success. :
"The hardness of Japan, alone OF !
all the nations, was to be expected. r
This country is ambitious and quite s
nroperlv so. She has had a wonder !
full growth in national significance In :
the last sixty years. During that :
period events have occurred which :
iustifies her belief that she is the /
power of the Pacific. Her 7
limited territory, upon which an ex- +
banding population cannot be con- /
fined. compels her to seek an outlet. :
Her experience with China in 1884 +
and again with Russia in 1904 has +
stimulated a determination to reach !
out into other lands. Seeing the :
United States extending her infiu- !
ence over a continent through Mon !
roe Doctrine gives her an ambition
10 do likewise on another continent. Z
This ambition viewed from the angle I
n her necessity and in the ligh of /;
past events in Korea and Manchuria \
and now in Vladivostok and Shantung :
has raised the question Of our policy /
Of the open door in China, and has 5
given US the Far East issue. {
"The Monroe Doctrine was not pro :
claimed nor ever defended on the r
basis of national necessity, but rather I
for the autonomy Of newly erected :
with ambitions for con- :
stitutional government No desire :
for foot Of territory was ever with :
in the purvey Of that American doc Z
trine. Foreign interference was de- I
rIared an unfriendly act. Japan's !
ambition has not taken that form, I
but on the contrary looks to spheres Z
4 g ;-n,,o-ro ,,-bfch may close the