The Cordova daily times., 1922-03-02
THURSDAY, MARCH ?, 1922
PEACE AND JUSTICE WITHOUT SACRI
 FICE OF AMERICAN SOVEREIGNTY


 It cost the United States a hundred billion dollars and an immeasurable outpouring of human life, thought and energy to make the Atlantic ocean safe for America and A1neri- cans.
 A few weeks of deiberation by the repre- sentatives of great powers assembled at Wash ington under the call of President Harding, without the loss of a life or the waste of a dollar, has guaranteed American peace and safety in the Pacific, which the one war cloud has hung upon the American horizon
 The World war was described as a war to erd wars, but until the Washington confer ence was held, it seemed probable that it was only the forerunner and in part it was only the cause of more wars There was ln pos pect up to the time that President Harding called the nations into council, and Secretary Hughes outlined the American program of a naval holiday another race for supremacy Tn naval armament, with American leading the race but at fearful cost in burdens of taxa ton laid upon the shoulders of millions al ready groaning under the weight of war costs.
 The acceptance of the Hughes Harding pro- gram for progressive disarmament, for settle ment by conference, rather than war, of prob lens affecting nations having insular posses sions in the Pacific, and for a large and ln- creasing measure of justice to the republic of China with full recognition, by all the powers participating, of Chinas political sovereignty and territorial integrity; these are the longest steps toward world peace that have been taken at any given time in human history.
 All this has been accomplished without for eien entanglemens for the United States out of harmony with the history and traditions of this republic. Complete control by the Am crican people over the foreig relationships of their republic is retained. The rights, ideals and interests of America are saved from the slighest sacrifice No obligations inconsistent with complete American independence of ac- ton are assumed. No super-sovereignty IS erected; no agreement to accept the decisions of the constituted conferences is imposed; no promise of American action in international af- fairs without the express consent of the Amer ican people is made or implied.
 This is not only the clear meaning of the language of the treaties but the interpretation placed upon them publicity by American rep resentatives in the conference in the presence and hearing fthe conferees representing the other nations made parties to the agreements. There is no room for reasonable doubt on this subject, but in the opinion of The Daily Times reservation expressly stipulating that this nation cannot be committed to any use of force under the treaties except by act of Congress, could not be objectionable and mi ght be desirable as a means of allying the apprehensions of those who might be misled by contrary contention.
 For China all has been gained through the conference that could be secured for her by the United States without the use of force in view of Japan's attitude. It is unfortunate that Japan did not act in the conference with the same willingness to make sacrifices for world peace that has characterizer some other nations, notably the United States. Japan is still suffering from the obsession of imper- ialism which brought about the downfall of Germany. The best terms possible in behalf of the republic of China were obtained, and far more important than the immediate results