The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1922-02-27
EUROPE SHOULD
REDUCE ARMIES
United States Believes This
Should Precede Economic
Reforms
CANNOT ENCOURAGE
SUCH BIG EXPENSE
Hoover Says There Must BE Recall tOi
Reason Or Europe May Become Like
Russia - Lloyd George In Harmony
With American Views
BY DAVID LAWRENCE

Especial Despatch to The Reformer.)
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.-Ameri-
cas- program for world reconstruction
has been outlined to the government of
Europe. There are signs that Prime
Minister Lloyd George, at least, is try
ing to persuade Premier Poincare to fol-
low it. Instead of a world conference
on economic affairs at Genoa, including
Il variety Of subjects, the United States
believes Europe should first solve its
political problems and reduce its armies.
Here is the program which throws
new light on the reasons why the Genoa
conference was postponed and explains
the latest Development in Europe, where
Prime Minister Lloyd George IS reported
as proposing a lo-years' truce whereby
land armies shall be reduced and Il
guarantee given of the political stability
of Europe.
Wishes to Help Europe
First. the United States government
wishes to help Europe, but cannot en-
tangle herself in Europe's political al
fairs. Upon political stability depends
economic aid from America.
Second. the United States government
believes the program of the Genoa con-
ference was too wide sweeping and at
program having for its object the politi-
cal stability of Europe would have more
chance of success. The Washington CON
ference is pointed To as an example Of
what can be done when the field of dis
cussiOn is narrowed and the problems
are confined to a small group of powers
directly interested instead of TO the
widespread.
Third. the United States feels ii has
done its share in the limitation OF ma
val ornaments and guaranteeing the
peace of the Pacific. Now let EUROPE
tackle land armament and the political
apprehensions that exist between
France and Germany or England and
France or Italy and France, as the ease
may he.
man whose vision and knowledge Presi-
dent Harding relies on III economic mat
tiers, are the best explanation of what
l. going on inside the administration
here. His views have been reflected in
communications sent abroad. Mr..
Hoover wrote three days ago an address.
che significance OF which was overlooked.
Most OF the speech was not reported in
the press. Mr.. Hoover said:-
THE well being of the continent IS
indeed a matter OF concern to us. We
have a desire. to help. But before our
strength can be employed toward econ
nmic stability. foundation OF political
stability must first be obtained.
Economic STABILITY
Economic stability cannot be crea-
ted III an atmosphere OF arms and
threats of political actions and its pos
sibihties of war. Economic strength
has not vet been built OF armies.
1.-The Washington conference has
eliminated the maiign political forces
between the great group of nations with
which We were directly involved, and IT
secured limitation on arms IN this
group. It mHst be our wish that other
great groups of nations where we have
less direct interest should take up the
same process. We have no problem OF
land armies These political difficulties
in Europe which breed armament with
its train of economic jeopardy arises
from causes in which we do not partici-
pate. They do not affect lis in their re
suits. We find ourselves much torn
between an earnest wish TO be of sery'
ice and rightful desire to keep ourselves
free from matters to which we are not
a party and which we cannot remedy
participation In which would neverthe
less undermine our strength, our lntiu-
ence and our ability to render real sery
ice in the future The Washington con
ference found some solution to excessive
naval armament and the political crisis
that gave rise to ii.
Reduction of Armies.
''AH America hopes that the CONT
nent of Europe. can enter upon these
steps which will lead to a reduction of
her land armament and thus lay the
foundations upon which economic recon
stuction can be safely built.
''There must be great recall to rea-
son or Europe may be like Russia
through economic degeneration. Such a
recall might prove to be comparable in
good with the Washington conference in
its contribution to political stability
and its effect llnon economic progress.
The limitation of land armament
and the mitigation OF nlalign forces in
FurOpe would indeed be a companion
piece to the accomplishment in neval
limitation at the Washington confer
enec believe that America, out of her
own interest, would Join her economic
strength to biuld the span to these firm
Without this foundation. there is little
for America Go build upon; with this
foundation America will not fall to dc
her part
Mr.. Ho0ver's Views.
Mr.. Hoover's views carry added
weight since it was announced that he
would be a member of President Hard
ing 5 commission to fund the allied war
debt. There Isl every reason to believe
that Great Britain is in thorough accord
with the, policy isof the United States
and Is epdcavormg to persuade France
to Join IN 4 conference which shall as
sure Europe against military aggression
by any of component parts. Some time
ago a proposal was made that France
Belgium. Great Britain and italy should
sign four power pact similar to that
signed at Washington but guaranteeing
that all nations should come to the aid
of the other in case of unproyoked ag-
gression. 1t was suggested also that
Germany herself be included in the
treaty 50 that she would be pledged
against undertaking offensive measures
The argument is being made in Brit
ish quarters that such a treaty would
be wholly in line with the efforts of the
league of nations to promote peace and
would at the same time constitute 4
regional understanding supplementary
to the league of nations. While tho
league IS trying to solve the question OF