Imperial Valley press., 1922-02-06
DISARMAMENT IN SIGHT

Every pessmistic prophecy doleful prediction
concerning the futy of the disarmament conference to
be set at naught
be given to a war-tom and a war-weary world
The conference has agreed practically all the
main issues for solution of which it called and an
to that effect inspires new hope IN the puoc
that a for the world is at hand.
When Secretary Hughes read the agreements to the
conference and thus gave their text to the public the
presentation OF new Magma Oharta, new Deciarauon
of Independence new emancipation proclamation Tor 1t
embodes issues important those comprehended IN any
or all these immortal documents
It is not to be said that the agreements absolutely
certain of becoming international law for the governments
represented IN the conference WI" yet nave 10 rat1y The
pact to give force and effect But the unanimous agree
nent the questions under discussion IS
good that official ratification will come IN due
time from each of the powers involved.
The two outstanding and tremendously important fea-
res of the agreement are naval holiday and the modifica
ton of warfare by the abolition of poison gas and the ina
ton of the submarines The naval holiday is to run for
ten Years with automatic provision for after
expiration of this In pursuance of this sixtyeght
great battle ships of the various powers are to be scrapped
the construction of ones will cease TINS action
will result partial diSinegraton and complete re-
organization of the naval affairs OF this country as 1t
doubtless will also of all the other countries concerned
With such policy in force is difficult to understand
what change IS to come upon US we nave Tor 50 los
been confronted big naval appropriations and with
grave issues involved in them that it will seem like new
world will afford such relief that over-burdened
tax payers will cheer and those who have been hoping
praying for the coming of the better day when war VIII
be no more may feel of exataton 1t may all lead
to time and condition when the slaughter of human be-
inps by the millions will be longer pursued chief but
peryerted purpose of ambitious rulers Undoubtedly the
of the world has been advanced by the decisions OF
the conference than it has by all methods III thousand
wears was such sentiment that uttered by the most
distinguished representatives Of foreign governments at
Christmas time their public betng the day
The other feature of the pact relating TO the conduct
of war if disarmament fails TO utterly abQsh IT, proVaeo
that there shall poisoned used IN warfare
and that submarines shall attack merchant and pasSe
ger ships. ..
We cannot place much stress upon these PROVISIONS
for The reason that when nations hard pressed IKE
individuals they likely TO make OF every weapon at
their command Self preservation the first law or nature
and this law will prevail any conventions that may be
approved between nations Ehu Root who had charge OF
This section of the pact foresaled this argument or abec
ton in submitting He said to commit the nations IN tner
deliberate Judgment such policy would have favorable
effect upon the mind Of the world And must be adntted
10 have value in that way. Only by acting and thinking
sanev and humaney can the of humanity be advanc
ed The psychology of it is essential factor TO employ
corresponding advances made by then in the realm OF
science. III
Other agreements coming out of the conference VIII
settle many yexed questions in the far east The RESTITUTION
of Shanung China the guarantee OF an open door 10 ta
country under which China preserves It's national integrity
and admits no foreign government 10 spheres OF m1uehe
there and defining and limiting the rights OF Japan, VIII
all operate to calm growing fears Of conflict somewhere III
the Pacific zone. II: ~
II NAV now said that the conference IS certain sue
cess and that and better day IS beng recorded IN
history