Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-04-07

Europe 50 long that she was begin
ming to believe that was our perma-
nent job. When she was informed
that money loaned to buy bread must
not be spent for bullets she resented
the impertinent suggestion of Ameri-
can Independence. Yet Europe could
not be blamed especially for she had
been repeatedly informed by Demo-
cratic statesmen that cur country was
anxious to yield up its sovereignty
and become the pack horse and the
police man for everything from the
Hebrides to Hedjaz.
March 4th. 1921. Europe was sullen,
dissatisfied, suspicious. unfriendly.
There were ominous complications
| III the Pacific-complicatio which
threatened the peace of the world.
Japan alert, aggressive. was doubtful
as to Americas policy in the far East
and doubt is the prolific mother Of
suspicion, jealousy and war; There
We're troublesome difficulties in Gen.
trail America; the vacillating policy of
the preceding administration had
brought that region TO the verge of
revolution. Our Mexican policy has
been such as to make Americans little
more than laughing stock in the
Republic to the south of us. Such was
the condition of our foreign affairs
when Warren G. Harding became
President-he was confronted by UNI
rest, turbulence, suspicion, the loss of
American prestige and threatening
difficulties likely to breed wars.
What has been accomplished in a
year in the betterment of our foreign
relations? In the State Department
vacillation and weakness have given
place to firmness and strength. Amer
ica has accomplished more in one
iyear under the leadership of President
Harding and Secretary Hughes to-
ward better understanding among ma
tons and the promotion of world
peace than has been accomplished in
1ali the long decades Of our national
history prior to 1921. So wise and so
convincing have been the plans of the
President for American expression OF
the worlds fond hope for tranquility
and peace that these plans have re-
ceived the cordial support of substan-
TALLY, all the people. regardless of
party lines. Indeed Oscar Under
wood of Alabama himself the leader
of his party in the Senate, a great
American before he is Democrat,
had most honorable and important
part in shaping and defending these
plans.
Every. serious international diff
Guilty which threatened a year ago
has been either finally settled or the
definite means provided for it's speedy
adjustment. All this has been done
without sacrifice of national SOW
erelgnty or abatement of self respect
and with fullest justice to other ma :
tons. Deeds have banished doubts
suspicion has given way to conf
ldence. ambition has surrendered to
justice. Yet all this has been ac-
complished quietly, firmly, fairly. We
nave succeeded in securing without
loss of national sovereignty adherence
to those principles of overhanded JUS
tice of which America is the chief ad
vocate and defender All this has
been done in America, by Americans
in distinctly American way. Presi-
ldent Wilson went to Europe-and
ifailed: President Harding brought
Europe to America-and succeeded.
Versailles despoiled China, robbed a
conf1ding friend and save Shantuns
to Japan. American diplomacy. exem-
plified by Harding and Hughes,
brought despoiled and despoiler to-
gether in the inspiring atmosphere of
American fair play and gave Shan
tung back to China. The Treaty of
Versailles made problems, the Wash
lngton Conference solved them. The
two treaties prepared by that confer
! ence relative to China guarantee the
open door, provide an equitable GUS
toms tariff for the new Republic and
by pledging a policy of Hands Off,
J guarantee to China a fair chance to
work out its destiny. Ely other agree
ments the great nations have ban
ished from any future wars the
deadly poison gas that strangles and
suffocates and sears and have put the
submarine under bonds for good be-
havior. Without sacrifice of national
honor or loss of American strategic
position a treaty was concluded pro-
viding for limitation of construction
of capital ships by the great mari
time nations. This sane measure of
economy and peace is long step
forward; according to a recent esti-
mate by naval officers it saves to our
country alone over s.5o,O00,o00 per
year or nearly s1,ooo,c0o per day. 1t
lifts from the shoulders of the tax
payers a part of the rapidly increas-
ling burden of competitive armament
and at the same time gives to the
signatory powers and the world a
pledge of good faith and devotion to
| peace.
| Rivalry in armament, will lead to
war as certainly as it did in 1914.
This treaty turns the faces OF the
great maritime nations away from
war and toward peace. The so called
Four Power Treaty substitutes con-
ference for conflict and reason in the
place Of rifles. 1t infringes in no re-
ispect on American sovereignty or in
! dependence; it yields up no American
ideals; it involves our Republic in no
entangling alliance; Il rests for it's
sanction on no armies camouhaged as
international policemen and on no
navies lurking on the offing: it con-
stitutes no per-government based
on force and creates no obligation, le-
gal or moral, to use force. 1t is the
! EXPRESSION of the thOnrhf IF the