The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-07
THE DESIRE FOR WORLD PEACE

world peace through world reduction of ar mament is the cost of military and naval equipment. It is said that more than ninety per cent. of the money collected in taxes goes to pay for armies and navies. Ninety cents out of every dollar for war, and ten cents for all other purposes of government! Graft and extravagant expenditures by goy- ernment bureaus are as nothing compared to this contribution to mankind's reluctance to live up to mankind's enlightenment. A ship subsidy to establish our merchant ma- rine would be lost in comparison with the sums freely spent on the navy. Federal ap- propriations for internal improvements can not be called generous when cast in the bal ance against the support of an army. Amer jeans, who pride themselves on being busI- ness nation, could effect no more business like program than one looking to world dls- armament. Already this nation has gone on record as favoring a reduction in warlike preparation, and already this nation has ta- ken constructive steps to put such reduction into effect among the leading powers
 Not enough has been done, however There still remains certain distrust among nations which holds them back from full and complete agreement as to an international military policy. Undoubtedly disturbed con- ditions in many countries, especially Russia, play large part in the uncertainty and in the general reluctance to take the plunge Nevertheless the sentiment in favor of peace established upon the inability of na- tions to proceed forthwith to war is growing. It is significant that recent wars have not been between democraces. They have been between monarchies, or between monarchies and the republics that have been forced to fight them. Now that kings and emperors have for the most part been dethroned ana those sovereigns who remain are shorn of any dictatorial power, perhaps there is less danger of nations going to war, for the am- bilious plans of conquest with which nations have been imbued have after all been the ambitions of individuals who had sufficient authority to wage war to achieve their sell fish aims.
 As long as one great power continues to construct naval and military equipment all other leading powers are compelled to fol- low suit. The governments, however, are beginning to hear from the people. In Eng land, which has been a leader in naval de- fense expenditure, there is heard more and more loudly the voice of the taxpayer cry ing out upon the cost of war which now is destined to hang over their heads to the sec ond and third generation. Another great war coming soon would place it's burden upon the sixth and seventh generations yet un- born. Going armed when all others are armed Is legitimate self-protection, but condition under which none are armed for attack is still better protection. Therefore, the call for another Washington conference and for agreements still more far-reaching becomes continually more urgent and conl- polling.
 Strangely enough, the latest demand for such conference comes from France, which has lately been accused of militarism, desire for conquest and other ugly things. The chairman of the French senate naval commit tee says that France is willing to abandon her entire navy if other nations will do the same, and he goes so far as to assure the world that he speaks for the whole French parliament. This attitude may appear little surprising when it IS recalled that France has not ratified the Washington agreements. France may be excused, how ever, on the ground that her attention has been concentrated elsewhere and that mean time she has shown neither disposition nor desire to violate any of the tenets of those agreements.
 All in all, in spite of wars and rumors of wars, the future as to world peace does not look dark. Even the soviet, whether sin cerey or not, has voiced official approval of the principle of disarmament. Undoubt- edy leadership in this program rests still with America, the only great power not sus- pected in any degree of greed for more ter ritory of miltarisn, or of consuming am- bition to rule the seas.
 BEAUTIFY THE PREMISES
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