Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-12-30

that their agreement upon the amount"
to be paid. and upon financial plan
for working out the payments. would
be accepted throughout the world as
the most authoritative expression OBJ
tainable? Governments need not bind
themselves in advance to accept the
recommendations, but they can at
least make possible such an inquiry
with their approval and free the men
who may represent their country in
such a commission from any respon-
any duty to obey political instruc-
tions. In other words. they may in
vite an answer to this difficult and
pressing question from men In such
standing and in such circumstances
of freedom as will insure a reply
prompted only by knowledge and con-
science. i--
People Would Be Informed
II have no doubt that distinguished
Americans would be willing to serve
in such a commission. If govern
ments saw fit to reject the recommen-
mendation upon which such a body
agreed. they would be free to do so.
but they would have the advantage of
impartial advice and of an enlighten-
ed public opinion. Peoples would be
informed, the question would be res
cued from assertion and counter
assertion and the problem put upon
its way to solution.
II do not believe that any general
conference would answer the purpose
better, much less than any political
conference would accomplish a result
which premiers find it impossible to
reach. But, 1 do believe that a small
group, given proper freedom of ac-
ton, would be able soon to devise
plan. 1t would be time enough to
consider forcible measures after such
an opportunity had been exhausted.
America pisinterested
1.-THE United States has the most
friendly and disinterested purpose in
this matter and wishes to aid in any
practicable way. But it is idle to make
suggestions which arouse false hopes
and are so impracticable that they
cannot bear fruit. On the other hand,
there lies open broad avenue of OPP (.
portunity if those whose voluntary
action is indispensable are willing to
take advantage of it. And once this i,
is done. the avenues of American
helpfulness cannot fail to open hope !
fully"
Aside from the economic question, !
Mr. Hughes devoted most of his adj :
dress to a discussion of the results
of the Washington arms conference. .
With respect to the recent public dis
cussion of auxiliary craft problems, .
such as the Japanese and British
cruiser projects. he said:
There is nothing that can be CALL .
ed in any degree alarming"
ut ought to be possible" Mr.. /.
Hughes said. also with reference to ,
total auxiliary craft tonnage I'M .
touched by the Washington treaty to
arrange modus vivendi which
would preclude a wasteful and I'M
necessary competition"
So far as American cruiser strength
is concerned, he said, "The United
States is not as well supplied as it
should be, but the treaty does not in ,
terfere with adequate provision by >
the United States to supply this want
and it should be supplied.
Naval Limitations Diffc uIties
Mr.. Hughes declared that difficult
ties which prevented further naval
limitations by the conference. so far .
as he was able to see, "still stand"
The failure then to make more !
sweeping limitations. he added, us
not attributable to u.s.
Summarizing his review of the
naval pact and criticisms directed
against it, the secretary said:
"My conclusion is that the naval
treaty will stand the test of analysis
and fair statement taking all the
pertinent facts into consideration:
and that it will be desirable safe
guard and not a menace to our Sc
curity and at the same time, an i'm
portant assurance of peace. These
happy results will be attained, how
ever, on the condition that We act
toward other nations in the same
spirit of reasona bleness and friend
ship that we expect them to exhibit
toward u.s."