The Raymer enterprise., 1923-10-04
AIR DISARMAMENT BIG TOPIC
Question Of international Importance
to Be Discussed At Legion Ma
tIonal Convention,

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When the Legion started its poll Of
prominent citizens to ascertain public
sentiment In regard to the advisability
Of holding a conference to limit mill
tary air forces In Washington, the
question claimed the serious attention
OF Legionnaires In all departments and
a number Of state organizations have
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 a
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 un.
less an international agreement is
reached to reduce air forces.
Public sentiment favors 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
30 per cent express approval Of the
gathering.
Through the views of commentators
runs definite current Of opinion that
the conference should be held as soon
as possible and that II 1t Is not held,
the United States should take steps ut
once to obtain thorough protection In
air armament. Writers admit the diff
ficulties 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 a number Of Americans whose
words on questions Of an international
character always are sure Of respect.
ful hearing. Senator Henry Cubot
Lodge, chairman Of the senate CON-
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.
palgn In principle. He wrote that he
favored limitations In aircraft similar
to those made In naval strength, pro-
vided that the agreement for limita-
ton Is international.
Newton d. Baker. former secretary
Of war, believes that the conference
should be held at once because 'the
limitation Of air armaments Is the most
important and vital possible llmita-
tion.' 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.
ern and scientific agencies Of war.
That the Leglon's suggestion would
have the support Of the farm bloc is in.
dicated In the enthusiastic letter re.
ceived from Senator Arthur Capper Of
Kansas who has written that 1t has
won his hearty Endorsement. 1T
seems to me that m international con-
ference would be very helpful toward
bringing about an agreement which
would end competition between ma
tions for supremacy In the air-a pol.
Icy which unquestlonably is not only
useless but menace to the peace Of
the world" his letter reads. ''You are
correct when you say that now is the
time to consider this matter. Delay
will undoubtedly complicate the situa-
tion and make 1t more difficult to re-
move the menace"
Legion leaders have expressed graft
f1cation 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 refraining
from engaging In competitive building
of aircraft.
"Our stand should be to find out for
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 q first class power"
Lemuel Bolles. Legion national adju.
tant has stated. "The worst thing
that could happen to the country to-
day would be move to disregard pre-
paredness In the face Of the European
contest and for the Legion to permit
such an Interpretation to grow from its
suggestion of Limitation would be to
repudiate our four-year record for pre-
paredness."
The Legion's campaign has aroused
much public comment and has been the
subject Of editorials In newspapers all
over the country. 1t has become one
Of the leading measures L. that orgnn.
ization's campaign for the advance
ment Of world peace.
The Very First kiss.