Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-12-30

assertions OF blame on the one hand
and excuses on tho other come to
nauGht.
Thor ought to tc a way for
statesmen to agree upon what Ger
many can paw for no matter what
Gains may he made against her.
that is the tt:nit OF satisfaction.
There ought To he a way to deter
mine that limit and TO provide \
financial plan bv which Immediate
results can be obtained and tn. Euro
p"an nations can feel that the foun-
dalton has hrcn laid for their mutual
apd earnest end"avors to bring
about the utmost prosperity to which
the industry Of their people cntltle
them.
should Scck Expert AID.
''lf stHtcmcn can not agree and
cxigcmci"s OF public opinion make
their course difficult then there
should hc called TO their aid those
VII" can point the way TO solu-
ton.
Why should they not invite men
OF the highest authority In finance
III their respective countries men Of
such prestige. experience and honor
that their agreement upon the
amount To lie paid and upon a tinan-
cial plan for working out the pay
ments. would be accepted through
cut the world as the most authori-
tative expression obtainabie? Gov
ernmcnts need not bind themselves
IN advance To accept the rcc0mmcn-
dations. but they can at least make
possible such an inquiry with their
approval and free men who NAV rem
resent their country in such a com
mission from any responsibility to
, n q
obey political instructions In other
words they may Invite an answer to
TINS difficult ana pressing question
from men Of such standing and in
such circumstances OF freedom as
VIII insure reply prompted only hy'
knowledge and conscience.
Americans Rcndy Ia Serve.
Il have 40 doubt that distinruish-
ed Americans would he willing To
serve In such a commission. If gov
"rnm"nts saw tit to reject the recon
nendat ton upon which such a body
agreed. they would be fire.. To do so,
Dut they would have the advantage
or impartial advise and OF an en-
hghtcncd public opinion Peoples
would be Informed. the question
would he rescued from assertion and
count"r-assertion and the problem
put upon its way to solution.
i do not believe that any general
conference would answer the pur-
rose better. much less that any 20.
i!tical conference would accomplish
possible tn reach. But do believe
mat small group. given proper
freedom 90 action, would be able Soor,
l" COWS" Il proper plan. 1t would he
t'me enough 10 consider forci1!e
measures after such an opportunity
had been exhausted. Such body
would not only he expert but friend
~. 1t would not he bound by
special official obligations; i, would
have no animus and no duty bur 10
ma and state the truth. In situa
tion which requires an absence of
technicaliiy and immunity from in =
terfer"rcc ] hope that the way may
soon be found FOR a frank discussion
and determination of what Is essen
Tally an economic problem.
4. =. Iins Friendly Interest.
The United States has the most
friendly and DISTINGUISHED purpose in
'his matter, and wishes To aid in any
practicable way. But it is idle to
make suggestions which arouscs false
h"pes and are 50 impracticablc that
thcN cannot hear fruit. ON the other
hand. there lies open n broad avenue
OF opportunity If those whose volun-
tarN action is indispensable. are
willing I" take advantage OF it, And.
once this is done. the avenues of
american hclpfulncss cannot fail 10
open hopefully"
Aside from the economic side of
tn" question, Mr.. Hughes devoted
most of his address to discussion
OF the results OF the Washington
rms conference. With respect to
IN" recent public discussion of an
huNi!iary craft program. such as the
I"pHh"S ana british cruiser projects,
he said:
There is nothing that can he
called III any degree alarming" 1T
ought TO hc possible" Mr. Hughes
said. also with reference TO total aux
Hilary craft tonnage untouched by tn,
Washington treaty. Ito arrange a
modus vivemdi. which would preclude
wastcful and unnecessary compe-
tition"
4. =. Needs More Cruisers.
So Tar as American cruiser strength
IS concerned. he said. the United
states is not as well supplied as it
should be, hut tie treaty does no;
interfere with adequate provision by
the United states to supply this want.
and it should he supplied"
Mr.. Hughes declared that dinlcul-
ties. which prevented further naval
limitations by the conference. so Gar
as he was ah!c to see. still stand"
The failure then to make more sweep
ing limitations. he added, lis not at
trihutabic to us"
Summarizing his review ~ tho
naval pact and criticisms directed
against IL. the secretary said:
MY conclusion is that the naval
treaty will stand the test of analysis
md fair statement taking all the per-
ttncnt facts into consideration; and
that II will he a desirable safeguard
and not menace To our security and
at the same time an important as
surancc az peace. These happy re-
suits viii be attained. however. on
the condition that we act toward
other nations In the same spirit OF
rcasonablcncss and friendship that
We expect them to exhibit toward
us"
Rrckic Defeats Maxwell.