The Washington herald., 1921-10-14
International Cooperation.

armament come from the Washington
conference No has proposed or ex-
pccted it. But what they do expect is laying a
foundation OF confidence, OF cooperation, of good
understanding which will gradually lead to disarm-
ament. By disarmament they understand the main
tenance OF only such military and naval establish
ncnts as are necessary police force, not as
against nations but against evildoers and for in
ternal protection.
Ii only limitation of armaments the pur-
pose of the conference, Senator Borah's plan for
hve-ycar vacation in building by the three great
naval powers. would have been the easier and
simpler way. The wise choice OF the President was
TO remove the causes of and so the need OF
armament. He also chose to approach this through
the smaller body of nations Immediately concerned
rather than through the league of nations, and to
conhne the agcnda to Far Eastern problems. rather
than to those OF all the world.
1t is the hope that this will replace any DOR
mdnt hostility. the suspicion which comes from
rivalry for advantage and that inSrowng prejudice
which results from lack of close touch and the dis
rant view, with friendly cooperation. Consortiums
have become or less famil liar form OF inter-
national cooperation. They are. in a sense inter
national corporations. When recognized by the
countries in which they operate. their recognition
takes the places OF charter.
BY an extension and expansion of the consor-
tium system all future international exploitation
would be cooperative. The resulting benefits would
be mutual There would be need of those
joined in this way maintaining ornaments against
each other. No one would have advantage as
against any other. 1t might even be that present
investments could become mutual and so clear the
way for complete understanding. Such co-opera-
ton would not be a to the sovereignty of
any country within which II operated 1t would
pced al ~
liticLl control II would be purely business en-
terprise. multiplied often necessary with such
Iroportonate interests the various countries
isish. wish to take. would apportion among
themselves.
lvoid tho need OF any treaty or other governmental
krtion by any nation in the consortium other than
ttat OF recognition and permissive encouragement.
IL would be economic alliance, not a political
Enterprise. Ii would be based upon investment in
tPlvins financial interests, rather than governments
II would bring the peoples of the countries involved
N close business cooperation through widely dis
ttbuted investment interests rather than the gov-
ktnmentS through diplomatic channels or national
hans and credits. 1t would bring mutual financial
Md economic interest to many thousands of the in
3viduals OF each OF the nations concerned.
II This is the way OF permanent peace. 1t is the
WayJof disarmament through combined interests in
Which there are cooperative benefits. AS these in
creased. multiplied, and broadened through years
oi partnership, armament would to be as use
less and foolish that partner in private life
should carry arms to protect himself. against an
other partner. 1t is something OF this kind Ameri-
cans expect to come from this conference and do
not believe to be unreasonable. They expect at
least such beginning will give reasonable
surancc. OF some such cooperative result.