Evening star., 1922-02-26
AID Of j. 5. AWAITS
STABILITY.
Political Unrest Must End
Prior to Financial Aid,
Says MIR. Hoover.
HOPES FOR CUT IN ARMY
Says Economic Strength Never
Builded Upon Military.
Views Garry Weight.
By DAVID LAWRENCE.

By DAVID LAWRENCE.
Americas program for world re-
construction has been outlined to the
governments Of Europe. There are
signs that Prime Minister Lloyd George.
at least, is trying to persuade Premier
Poincare to follow it. Instead Of
world conference on economic affairs
at ,,Geona including variety of sub
IjeGtS the United States believes Europe
shSuld first solve it's political problems
and reduce its armies
Here is the program which throws
Inek light on the reasons why the Geona
conference was postponed and explains
the latest development in Europe. where
Prime Minister Lloyd George is reported
as tproposipg a ten-years' truce. Where
y.land armies shall be reduced and
guarantee given Of the political stabili-
ty ,of Europe.
First, the United States government
wishes to help Europe. but cannot en-
|tangle herself in Europe's political
affairs. Upon political stability de-
Ipends economic aid from America.
eProgrnm Too Wide-SweepinE.
Second. the United States government
believes the program of the Genoa con-
ference was too wide-sweeping and
attempted too mucll. 1t believes a
limited program having for its object
the political stability of Europe would
haSe more chance of success. The
Washington conference is pointed to as
anrekample of what can be done when
the held of discussion is narrowed anH
|the problems are confined to smaN
group of powers directly interested in
stead of to the wide world.
Third, the United States govern
mant feels it has done its share in
the limitation of naval armament and
guaranteeing the peace of the Pa
cific. Now let Europe tackle. land
armament and the political apprehen-
sic dhs that exist between France and
Germany. or England and France, or
Italy and France. as the case may be.
The words of Herbert Hoover. Sec
whose vision and knowledge Presi-
Ideht Harding strongly relies in eco
nomic matters. are the best eXplana-
ton ,iof what is going on inside the
administration here His views have
been reflected in the communications
sent abroad. Mr.. Hoover three days
| ago made an address the significance
of which was overlooked. Most of the
speech was not reported in the press
Mr.. Hoover said:
Political stability First.
'The well-being of the continent
is indeed a matter of concern to u.s.
We have desire to help, but before
our strength can be employed toward
economic stability a foundation of
political stability must first be OBJ
tanned
Economic stability cannot be
created in an atmosphere of alarms
and threats of political actions and
strength has not yet been built on
armies.
The Washington conference has
eliminated the malign political forces
between the great group. of nations
with which we were directly involved,
and it secured a Limitation on arms
in this group. 1t must be our wish
that other great groups of nations,
where we have less direct interest,
should take up the same processes.
We have no problem of land armies.
These political difficulties in Europe
which breed armament. with it's train
OF economic Jeopardy, arise from
causes in which we do not partici-
pate. They do not affect us in their
results. We find ourselves much torn
between an earnest wish to be of
service and rightful desire to keep
ourselves free from matters to which
we are not party and which we
cannot remedy and participation in
which would, nevertheless, undermine
our strength. our influence and our
ability to render real service in the
future. The Washington conference
round some solution to excessive
naval armament and the political
causes that gave rise to it.
Hopes for Army Cut.
"AH America hopes>that the conti-
nentiof Europe can enter upon those
steps which will lead to a reduction
of her land armament and thus lay
the foundations upon which economic
reconstruction can be safely built
"The limitation of land armament
and the mitigation of malign forces
in Europe would indeed be a COM
panion pier to the accomplishment in
naval limitation at the Washington
conference. I believe that America,
out of her own interest. would join
her economic strength to build the
span on these firm piers SO vital for
economic progress. Without this
foundation. there is little for Ameri-
ca to build upon: with this founda-
tion, America will not fail to do her
Mr.. Hoover's views carry added
weight. since it was announced that
he would be a member of President
HarHing's commission to fund the
allied war debt. There is every reason
to halieve that Great Britain is in
thorough accord with the policy of
the Emitted States and is endeavoring
to persuade France to join in con-
ference which shall assure Europe
against military aggression by
any of it's component parts. Some
time ago a proposal was made that
Italy should sign a four-power pact
similar to that signed at Washing
tom, but guaranteeing that all nations
should come to the aid of the other
in case of unprovoked aggression. 1t
was suggested also that Germany
h.rsalF he ;ncludad in tho freafy so
that she would be pledged against
undertaking offensive measures.
i,.,a Would Promote Peace.
The argument is being made in
British quarters that such a treaty
would be wholly in line with the ef-
forts OF the league of nations to pro-
mote peace and would at the same
time constitute regional under
standing supplementary to the league
of nations. While the league Is try
ing to solve the question of land
armament a direct agreement be-
tween the nations having the largest
armies would, in the view of officials
here. be quicker way to achieve
results.
Prime Minister Lloyd George
knows that unless Europe gives evil
dence, either through the league OF
nations or four-power pacts, OF q
genuine intent to put it's own house
different to the pleas of Europe for
ecoftnmic aid. Until Europe ceases
spending money for the maintenance
Of armies, America doesn't see why
any assistance should be given her
former allies in the matter of re-
funding the allied war debt. The
key to the situation today. there
fore. is the secret conference between
Prime Minister Lloyd George and
Premier Poincare.
Copyright, 1927
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