Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1923-10-06
AIR DISARMAMENT BIG toPic
Question Of International Importance
to Be Discussed at Legion Ma
tionsl Convention.

tionsl Convention.
The question Of on international aiR
disarmament conference will be one Of
the principal topics for discussion at
the American Leglons national con-
vention in San Francisco, according
to Legion national officials.
When the Legion started It's Doll OF
prominent citizens to ascertain public
sentiment In regard 10 the advlsability
Of holding a conference to limit mill.
tary air forces In Washington, the
question claimed the serious attention
OF Legionnaires IN all departments and
q number Of state organizations have
I recommended that the national con-
vention consider the issue.
The Legion believes that world peace
Is threatened by the unusual air pro-
/ grams sponsored by France, England,
Italy and Russia. Led by France, the
nations Of Europe are involved In
race for air supremacy which the
Legion feels may result In a necessity
for appropriations Of billions of dol
+ lars on the part of this country IN
less an international agreement is
I reached to reduce air forces.
Public sentiment fayors the pro-
posed conference, according to results
obtained to date from the poll which
elected replies from members of con-
gress, governors, editors, college presi-
dents and many prominent citizens. OF
the letters received, approximately
90 per cent express approval of the
gathering.
Through the views Of commentators
runs a definite current Of opinion that
the conference should be held as soon
as possible and that If 1t is not held,
the United States should take steps at
once to obtain thorough protection in
air armament. Writers admit the diff
fculties Of obtaining representation at
the gathering because of the situation
In Europe, but express the belief that
the attempt should be made, thereby
revealing to the world the nations re-
fusing to cooperate In a movement
for world peace.
Included In the list of commentators
are number of Americans whose
words on questions of an international
character always are sure Of a respect
full hearing. Senator Henry Cabot
| Lodge, chairman of the senate com
mittee on foreign relations, who was
one Of the members of the American
delegation to the Washington arms
/ limitation conference Of 1921, has ex-
pressed approval Of the LegIon's cam
paign in principle. He wrote that he
favored limitations In aircraft similar
to those made in naval strength, pro-
vided that the agreement for llmita-
ton is International.
Newton d. Baker. former secretary
OF war, believes that the conference
should be held at once because 1.-The
| limitation Of air ornaments Is the most
important and vital possible limita-
/ ton However, he adds the thought
that international protection must be
afforded to the security Of certain ma
/ tions which, because of their inferior
man-power, have been forced to rely
upon their superior ingenuity in de-
veloping and producing the most mod
j ern and scientific agencies of war.
That the Legion's suggestion would
/ have the support of the farm bloc IS In
i dicated in the enthusiastic letter re-
f ceived from Senator Arthur Capper OF
Kansas who has written that 1t has
won his hearty Endorsement. at
seems 70 me that an international con
ference would be very helpful toward
/ bringing about an agreement which
would end competition between ma
tons for supremacy In the ARA pol
ley which unquestionably is not only
useless but a menace to the peace OF
the world, his letter reads you are
correct when you say that now Is the
time 10 consider this matter. Delay
will undoubtedly compllcate the situa-
ton and make 1t more difficult to re-
move the menace"
Legion leaders have expressed graft
fcatIon that President Coolidge favors
the aims of the proposed conference,
but disagree with his belief that the
time Is not ripe for converting the
gathering and that this government
should set an example by refrslning
from engaging in competitive building
Of aircraft
"Our stand should be to find out ioc
certain whether nations are ready to
discuss limitation Of air armament, and
II they are not, begin Immediately to
/ strengthen our air forces, which are
now not those Of a first class power, A."
/ Lemuel Bolles. Legion national adju.
tant, has stated. 1.-THE worst thing
that could happen to the country to-
day would he a move to disregard pre-
4 paredness IN the face of the European
contest and for the Legion to permit