The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1921-11-19
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1921.

we nave ITleu III Ill SOOu COHSClellCe
to believe in disarmament. This we
have done believing that something
would have to be done to relieve the
intolerable burden resting upon the
nations. The building program seemed
to point to a result that would at last
sink the nations. And anything that
promises relief is to be encouraged.
But it yet remains fact that the
process of scrapping battleships and
building no submarines will not really
change the situation. Many advocates
preparation invites war. 1t os alb en-,
of preparedness argue. and forcibly
too, that preparation for war pre-
vents war, they further argue that
lack of preparation invites war. It
seems TO us that in the pursuit of
development in time of peace is, after
all, preparing for war, preparing in
the most sensible way. The building
of good roads is prominently some
thing that makes for the advancement
of the nation. Good roads build up and
foster business and lead to a better
acquaintance. But these same good
roads, in case Of war would help Won
derfully when mobilization of armies
was desired. The building of air
planes and the development of air
navigation'fnd increasing value in the
matter of transportation. There is a
tremendous outlet in commercial use
for the airplane. While that is true,
it is also easily seen that with thou
sands, even millions of commercial
planes, planes that are constantly be-
ing enlarged, perfected and applied,
in ever increasing number, to new
uses, would come in handy in case of
war. In one day a million commercial
planes could be transformed into
bomb dropping war planes.
The Republicans scrapped Mr.. Will
sons league of nations. In doing it
they claimed to be avoiding "entan-
glin alliances" Now they have sub
stituted the idea of disarmament
thing that is perhaps incapable of
functioning. 1t necesitates agreement
--alliance-with other nations and
can only function when each of the
great nations enters into the agree
ment We have not escaped "entan-
Cling Alliances" nor improved upon
the league of nations-not one bit.
The disarming program already be-
gins to show up the cunning and jug
Cling that has always characterized
the dealing of one nation with an
other The conference is even afraid
to come out into the open and let the
world know just what is transpiring
There is very little faith between ma
tions. AS the conference goes on 1t
is going to appear more and more
that fear, fear of each other, is yet
in the heart Of the nations. Honestly
we believe the best thing that the
Washington conference could do would
be to vote unanimously to go into the
league, or at least, the conference
could urge upon the United States
the necessity Of going in. AS we un-
derstand it, the other nations are al
ready in. We have no business being
out. If it had not been that the enc
mics of Woodrow Wilson had deter
mined to destroy him, we would not
now be out. We honestly believe that
the disarming program is going to
fail to function even in worse degree
than did the league Of nations. We
are, however, loath to say a word
that will disparage the attempt. 1t
is honest effort, that we believe;
it is engaging the thought and pur-
pose of many men of high character;
it may lead us somewhere. Let us
pray God that it may bring some
measure of relief to the groaning
mass of mankind.
AS to scrapping the battleships, we
rope when that is done, they will not
,e sunk, but given to Henry Ford who
will convert one battleship into a |