Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-11-23
TOO EXPENSIVE TO FIGHT
by Frederic J. Hnskin

washington, Nov. 23.--rbc next
world war. II IL takes place, VIII prob
ably be won by the strongest nation
which succeeds in staying out of II.
This consideration. which is based
upon the calculations Of military ex-
ports concerning future wars. as well
as upon the obvious lessons Of the on"
lust over, Is undoubtedly a powerful
force making for disarmament.
1t is probable that each Of the prin-
cipaI nations, in the next few decades.
win strive for the limitation OF arma-
inent and the adjustment Of inter-
national relations IN such way that
it's own liability 10 he embroilcd in war
will be reduced 10 a minimum.
It does not follow that this will al
ways make for international peace.
II probably will do so In n general
way, but Il means that while each
nation will itself strive to keep out 81
war, II viii often be Of advantage 70
given nation TO embrOil its chief com
mercial rivals in war. For example,
some observers have commented upon
/ the fact that certain sections Of the
/ French press dwell a great deal upon
/ the points which may produce aftag-
onism between Great Britain and the
| tinted states. II has been pointed
out that should the United states and
Great Britain ever engage in var
without France being involved IN any
way, at the end OF that war France
would occupy much stronger inter
national position than she does row
II has been suggested that the French
government may not be wholly ot'
lvious to this fact. Whether it has
any influence on French policy ol
rot. il illustrates the point under con.
sidcration.
The Case of England.
Another Illustration has beer
brought % light 10y discussions Of tn
Anglo-Jap alliance. Whether this al
Aiance shall be renewed or not is on
of the crucial questions ~ the con
ference. In the canvass Of considera
tions which probably affect Britis
9Jpolicy in this regard. It has been point
cd out, as reason why Britai
, might wish to discontinue the allianc'
that i'm case Of war between japan an
z the United States. Great Britain coui
win that war by staying Jut of it.
{ is stated that Japan and the Urite
e states fought tcr four years, durin
Q that time Grcat Britain would regal
o. the position Of controlli' z fnan"h
r center of the world. which has no
d aseed to the United states. ard wou
a also greatly increase her commcrc
She would do this by selling g'o'
9 and lending money 70 the beliigereni
who would constantly weaken ca'
other. OF course Great Britain's rel
w tive gain by staying out Of the w
is much greaser by reason Of the "a
that If she went into il she would 10
. Canada. and nothing she could ga
I, would repay her for that loss. B
9 even leaving Canada out of consider
= ton, Great Britain could gain only
=, STAYING out Of such 2 war. T
= United states would lose her inte
If national leadership by such war,
" all probably, even If she won n victor
n The same factors appear in all "a
d culations that are made concernii
10 possible future wars. There are n
ID tons which might gain by successf
le war in certain circumstances. al
ID these are not, d 70 be the least Q
10 .husiastic for disarmament. But,
n general, war no longer pays as cor
at mercial adventure.
le You have only to look back lit
ly way to see that this fact marks
IN revolutionary change in the basis
re international policy. II IS a commC
lie place of political economy that nea
all modern wars have been foui
for commercial advantage. To be m
exaet, they have been fought to <
the foreign investors Of a given COT
he try a preferential right in exploit
- the natural resources Of various pa
90 OF the world and in selling manuf
- tured goods to various peoples. \
re- ton which has been successful in
~. wars in the past has gained ther
new sources of raw material to
, pioit. and new markets from which
- competitors were wholly or partly
e. Cluded. This advantage has resu
"A lin an accumulation Of wealth in
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