New-York tribune., 1921-11-13

vantage from a general appreciation
of this fact, but the power to deal
with the exgency now rests with
small group of nations represented
here, who have every reason to de-
sire peace and TO promote amity.
The astounding ambition which lay
athwart the promise Of the second
Hague conference no longer menaces
tho world, and the great opportunity
of liberty loving 'and peace -preserv-
ing democracies has come. Is it not
plain that the time has passed for
mere resolutions that the responsible
powers should examine the question
of limitation of armament? We can
no longer content ourselves with in
vestigations, with statistics, with re-
ports, with the circumlocution of
inquiry. The essential facts arc suf-
ficiently known. The time is come
and this conference has been called
not for general resolutions of mu-
tual advice. but for action
fT1cficd Program to End
Present Burdens Is Urged
1--WE meet with full understanding
that the aspirations of mankind arc
not to be defeated either by plausi-
Bile suggestions of postponement or
by impracticable counscls Of perfec-
ton. sPower and responsibility are
here and the world awaits a practi-
cable program which shall at once
be put into execution.
II am confident that | shall have
your approval in suggesting that in
this matter, as we'll as in others
before the conference, it is desirable
to follow the course Of procedure
which has the best promise Of
achievement rather than one which
would facilitate division; and thus
constantly aiming to agree so far
as possible, we shall with each
point of agreement make it easier
to proceed to others.
"The question, in relation to
armaments, which may be regarded
as Of primary Importance at this
time, and with which we can deal
most promptly and effectively, is the
limitation of naval armament. There
are certain general considerations
which may be deemed pertinent to
this subject.
E~c ~
difficulty is to be found in the COM
petition in naval programs, and that,
in order appropriately to limit naval
armament, competition in it's pro-
duction must be abandoned Com
petition will not be remedicd by
resolves with respect to the method
of it's continuance. One program
inevitably leads to another, and if
competition continues, its regula-
tion is impracticable. There is only
one adequate way out and that is
to end it now.
ut is apparent that this cannot
be accomplished without serious
sacrifices. Enormous sums have
been expended upon ships under
construction, and building programs
which are now under way cannot
ba given up without heavy loss.
Yet if the present construction of
capital ships goes forward other
ships will inevitably be built to
rival them and this will lead to
still others. Thus the race will con-
tinue SO long as ability to continue
lasts. The effort to escape sacr-
fees is futile. We must face them
or yield our purpose.
1T is also clear that no one Of
the naval powers should be expected
to make the sacrifices alone. The
only hope Of limitation of naval
the nations concerned, and this
agreement should be entirely fair
and reasonable in the extent of the
sacrifices required of each of the
powers. In considering the basis
Of such agreement, and the COM
mensurate sacrifices to be required,
it is necessary to have regard to the
existing naval strength of the great
naval powers, including the extent
of construction already effected in
the case Of ships in process. This
follows from the fact that one nation
is as free to compete as another,
and each may find grounds for it's
actions.
Competitive Effort Barred
As Taskmaster Of Nations
What one may do another may
demand the opportunity to rival,
and we remain in tho thrall of COM
petitive effort.
II may add that the American dele
gates are advised by their naval
experts that the tonnage Of capital
ships may fairly be taken to meas
ure the relative strength of navics,
as the provision for auxiliary com
batant craft should sustain rea-
sonable relation to the capital ship
tonnage allowed.
ut would also seem to be vital