Arizona republican., 1921-11-24
The Interests and Armament

When the conference for the limitation of arma- nents was called there were those who predicted the great steel interests and manufacturers of munitions would interpose obstacles in the way of accomplish ment just as it charged that they had hastened the country into late war, accusation which events disproved. There has been sign of inter- ference with the deliberations of the conference
 Less than week ago the American Iron and Steel Institute gave a dinner to Marshal Foch in New York One of the speakers Charles M schwab, head of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation. After tribute to the guest honor, MT. Schwab said:
 Tt was stated at some of the sessions of the re- cent League of Nations meetings in Geneva, it has often been careessy suggestd in the press that the flame of in great measure kept alive by those interested the private building of naval ships and the manufacture of munitions of war; can Of course speak only for myself, but I believe I know and express sentiments of others placed in similar positions to mine when I this
 :. q am at the head of the largest war materials misunderstanding works in the world The shpyards of my company build more naval ships than are built in any other yards under one management in the United States But have been thrilled beyond ex- pression has every good American, with that bril- liant and statesmanke scheme laid before the con ference at Washington by Secretary Hughes"
 Notwithstanding the monetary loss to his com- pany that the plan of Hughes would involve, MT. schwab said he would gladly 'the warmaking machinery of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation sunk to the bottom of the ocean"
 Repeating that the American steel industry would accept willingly and gladly money loss that would result to it disarmament limitation of arma- ment Mr. made it clear that the steel industry would be moved by altrusm. He said:
 We will do so, not in spirit of mere idealism sacrifice, but in belief that the greatest permanent, material prosperity would be brought by the concentration of the energies of man kind upon constructive activities; upon means for webeing and for the destruction of civilization
 Nothing, he said, could contribute more to the ultimate prosperity and happiness of the world than the conclusion of agreements between the great tions which would eliminate and the causes of war, and he added: "So let to the gath cred Washington let it go out from this gathering of men the steel and iron industry that hasten the coming the time when shall be more"
 We suppose there intuition makers who would like to the in preparation maintained, but they without influence in the conference. In fact. do not believe any such did influence however powerful could of effect We suppose. too if junior naval officers could have their way, they would like the to be gray with ships of war; but the high officials both the army and navy have declared themselves in favor limitation.
 The only thing that stands in the way of plete acceptance of American proposal national fear and distrust There is not, we believe any distrust by the great nations of another now; only a distrust of the future.