The New York herald., 1922-01-25
HARDING SUGGESTS
EUROPE CUT ARMIES
Continuation of Vast Forces
Viewed as Violation of
True Democracy.
EXAMPLE OF Z. S. CITED
White House Statement Taken
as Bearing on Coming
Genoa Conference.
Special Dispatch TO THE New YoRK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. c., JAN "a !

Special Dispatch 10 THE NEW YoRK HERALD.
New York Herald bureau,
Washington. ID. c., Jan. "a
President Harding's Administration
deprecates the continued presence of
large standing armies in Europe and
regards their existence as a violation of
the true spirit of democracy and bar
to economic rehabilitation.
This. coming to-day from the White
House on the eve OF consideration OF
the Genoa conference and the inclusion
of Russia in the gathering, was consid-
cred highly significant by diplomatic
representatives in Washington and by
delegates to the conference for the linn
itation of armaments.
In declaring against the continuation
of large armies in Europe the White
House statement dealt specifically with
Russia. The presence in that country or
an army of nearly 100000 effectives
was regarded as a sad commentary for
what was said to be higher form OF
democracy. The intimation was that
this army is entirely tool arge for ma
tiona1 security only and must have some
ulterior purpose.
The statement made ii plain that fail-
ure to bring sufficient reduction or
armies in Europe interfered with the
return of normal conditions and constr
tutes a drain upon public revenues
which prevents restoring budgets to
normal conditions.
1t is the opinion of the President
that the United States is to-day setting
fine example to the world in its own
reduction of land armaments. The
present army bill authorizes peace
army of 10000 men. Many experts
believe this is reducing the army to the
| narrowest possible limits, although the
administration is willing and expects II
| will cut beow even this meagre skeleton
formation. :.
| The existence in the United States 1t
! is believed, of an army or less than
| 10000 men compared with the fact that
! only a short time ago the country had
| four million men under arms, carries It's
own object lesson and suggests what
| NAV be done in cutting land ornaments
when there is a genuine desire to do So
The President is not credited with be-
! lieyipg any nation sohuld cut It's land
! forces below the limit required by ma
/ tional security. He does not peleve the
miracle has been performed wnich
makes armed forces unnecessary The
land forces of the United States VIII
|
ton formation for the enlargement OF
| the army in case of aggression from
| outside. and sufficient for the purpose
| of making internal government euectlVe'
| According to the White House infor-
nation. the President believes the con-
| ference for the limitation of armaments
has started a world movement when VIII
| more and more bring about the reduc-
ton of armaments on land and see. he
believes the ten year anval holiday Will
be permanent and that once this perioo
is passed. the nations will not recon-
mence building.
Ir calling attention to the condition
of the army in the united states 'iie
4 view was expressed that II Europe could
find some way of reducing its own iaiiu
aomaments in any way comparable WIN
| the reduction made in the uniteo otates
a great step would have been made IN
bringing about economic restoration OIL
the world. 1t is the American view that
this peace psychology cannot be ac-
auired while Europe remains an armed
| camp
While the White House utterance is
regarded as having been inspired by the
cali for the Genoa conference. it Is not
believed it suggests the policy OF the
| administration relative to participation
or non-participation in the conferences.
This decision is undergoing considera-
ton and will be announced when made.
Il IS understood, however. to be an
urdisgused hint as to the importance
which the United States attaches to the
relation Of existing land armaments to
the economic rehabilitation Of Europe.