Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-02-04
The Profit and loss

1T may seem premature to undertake n
positive appraisal of the results OF the
arms conference, and II Is premature to
measure those results as they will influence
III" course OF nations in the years TO come
l!ni there are outstanding facts in the sit
untion which may be set down even now and
their bearing upon the national life of the
peoples involved determined with some de-
gree Of accuracy.
Those who would he fair with the con-
ference and judge it's work without prejudice
must agree that three highly important and
significant things are in tho way of nc
complishment as a result OF the protracte ed
proceedings In Washington In the first
place. The three great naval powers which
for more than n generation have engaged
in race for naval primacy have not only
agreed to quit the race. but have agreed to
scrap an enormous volume of existing or
potential tonnage. If that agreement is
carried out II will constitute an achieve
mcnt OF incalculable magnitude
In the next place. Great Britain and Japan
have consented to the abandonment OF the
Anglo-Japanese alliance. an alliance which
menaced America and compelled this coun-
try. as Il matter of self-preservation to
ratitics the Horsepower Pacific treaty, which
takes the place OF the alliance a long step
will have been taken in the direction of
world peace.
FINALLY working agreement has been
formed between the two great English
speaking nations of tho world, the two
richest and the two most powerful, which
cannot fail to have Il wholesome effect upon
t,,tN ,;.N,,.
international affairs. There is no alliance
or treaty or secret covenant between the
United states and Great Britain. hut there
Is an understanding existing between them.
nrst reached at Paris and strengthened at
Washington. which will 20 far toward max
ing this world better place To live in.
Contemplation of these three important
fncts does not. however. relieve the mind
OF many dsapp0intmcnts with the work of
the conference. II is unfortunate. for cx
ample. that some means could not have been
devised for reducing land ornaments i'm the
same fine way that naval ornaments are
limited. I1nt for the fear lurking within
The heart of France. this perhaps could have
been accomplished.
II is disappointing to know also. that
emma has not been restored to the man.
hgnrativcly speaking. She has gained much.
perhaps but Japan has not been priced loose
from its territory nor has Great Britain
nor France. Shantung has been returned.
win string tied to it. but Inner Mongolia
IS still occupied by Japanese troops, AS IS
Manchuria. Eastern Siberia remains under
control of the military forces of Japan.
y" settlement Of the submarine Issue
seems possible. another matter of keen
disappointment. Then, too bitter feeling
has arisen between the British and The
French ana France by it's singularly i'll
advised course has aiicnatcd many OF its
best friends in America.
balancing the profit against the loss how
ever. ii must be admitted bv all jmnar,ioI
observers That the Washington conference
was ii success. and that it has proven an
enterprise In which the American govern
men' ana the American people may well find
pride and pleasure