The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-02-25
Continued from First Page.)

tCOnclnued from First Page.D
dress, the significance Of which was
overlooked. Most of the speech was
not reported in the press. Mr.. Hoo
yer said:
"The well-being of the continent
is indeed a matter OF concern to us
We have q desire to help. But be
fore our strength can be employed
toward economic stability, a foun-
dalton of political stability mus
first be obtained.
Economic stability can not be
created in an atmosphere of alarms
and threats Of political actions and
its possibilities of war. Economic
strength has not yet been built OF
armies.
1.-THE Washington conference has
eliminated the malign political
forces between the great group OF
nations with which we were direct
ly involved and it secured a limita-
ton of arms in this group. 1t must
be our wish that other great groups
of nations where we have less di-
rect interest should take up the
same processes. We have no prob
lem of land armament.
These political difficulties in
Europe which breed armament with
its train of economic jeopardy
arises from causes in which we do
not participate. They do not affect
us in their results. We find our
selves much torn between an ear
nest wish to be of service and a
rightful desire to keep ourselves
free from matters to which we are
not a party and which we cannot
remedy, participation in which
would nevertheless undermine our
strength, cur influence and our abil-
fty to render real service in the fu-
ture. The Washington conference
found some solution to excessive
naval armament and the political
causes that gave rise to it.
"All America hopes that the con-
tinent of Europe can enter upon
these steps which will lead to a re-
duction of her land armament and
thus lay the foundations upon
which economic reconstruction can
be safely built.
There must be a great recall to
reason or Europe may join Russia
through economic degeneration.
Such a recall might prove to be
comparable in good with the WASH
ington conference with its contri-
button to political stability and its
effect upon economic progress.
The limitation of land armament
and the mitigation of malign forces
in Europe would indeed be 4 COM
panion pier to the Accomplishment
in naval limitation at the Washing
ton conference. 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 lit
tie for America to build upon; with
this foundation America will not
fail to do her part"
Mr.. Hoover's views carry added
weight since it was announced that
he would be member of President
Harding's commission to fund the
allied war debt. There is every rea-
son to believe that Great Britain is
In thorough accord with the policy
or the United States and is endeav-
oring to persuade France to join In
a conference which shall assure
Europe against military aggression
by any of its component parts.
Some time ago proposal was made
mat France, Belgium, Great Britain
and Italy should sign a four power
pact similar to that signed at Wash
lngton, but guaranteeing that all
nations should come to the aid of
he other in case of unprovoked az
erosion. 1t was suggested also
That Germany herself be included
n the treaty so that she would be
pledged against undertaking often
sive measures.
The argument is being made in
British 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 a regional I'M
ierstanding supplementary to the
league of Nations. While the league
S trying to solve the question of
and armament, a direct agreement
between the nations having the
argest armies would in the view
II officials here be a quicker way
o achieve results.
Prime Minister Lloyd George
inows that unless Europe gives |
violence either through the League
Il Nations or four power pacts of
genuine intent to put its own
Iouse in order, America must re-
main Indifferent to the pleas of !
Europe for economic aid. Until |
Europe ceases spending money for |
he maintenance of armies, America
oesn't see why any assistance !
hould be given her former allies
4 the matter Of refunding the allied |
var debt. The key to the situation !
oday, therefore, is the secret con-
erence between Prime Minister
lloyd George and Premier Poin-