The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-08-31
Disarmament Is Biggest
 Question Facing Europe
With Preparations Out Of Way. Issue Is In Line
 For Real Solution

place aC asnlngton concerning capltal ships.
 Problem Of Chemical Warfare
 In the second place, this question of disarmament for it's practical applica tion requires the consideration and per haps the discovery of new principles. l alluded above to the matter of chemi cal warfare. It takes no chemical ex- pert to see some of the possibilities that this matter presents. Like Germany and many other countries, we have plants for the turning out of chemicals and fertilizers, that is to say, for wise and peaceful purposes, the output of which cannot and should not be interfered with. At the same time these very plants are capable of being transformed fn few days into plants that will turn out explosives and poison gas In cor responding quantities.
 Beyond dispute, here is problem to which any question of ratios such us those adopted by the Washington conference has not the slightest applica- tion. Undoubtedly there must be so- lution for this problem; but l do not think that any human being at this time would be rash enough to say that he knew what that solution was. ln other words, it is problem to which should be devoted constant and tech Dical study.
 In the third place, the question of disarmament is one that constantly pre- sents new phases. Any agreement as to disarmament adopted as recently as ten years ago would seem almost ridicu- lous in the light of the development of science since that time. If progress of value is to be realized, it can only be realized by keeping it progress up to date scientifically.
 The second basic proposal of the American draft is the attempt to out law war, or rather to realize to some extent the idea behind the thought of "outlawry of war" Up to the present time international law has hardly touched this question of war. True, it has made some dulles for the conduct of war itself and it contains a good many rules. regarding the relations of countries in time of peace. But the vital question of war as such it has substantially let alone.
 The Feature Of Publicity
 A third essential feature of the Amer ican plan may be summed up in one word-publicity. The plan provides for Il constant examination of the carrying out of agreements for disarmament by the permanent technical committee of the international conference, and makes somewhat similar provisions for com mission of inquiry under the League of Nations Very likely in practice the functions of the two bodies could be combined that is not very important. What is important is this: If we are to have in this world an approach toward disarmament and if we are to have progress toward the idea of securi- ty, which is the foundation of disarma- ment, there must not only be agree ments to disarm, but there must be belief that these agreements have been carried out The only way to create this belief is not by ex parte state ments, but by reports of trained oh- servers who are given facilities for ob- servation. No country that was really carrying out its agreements could ob- ject to such examinations. So far as our own country is concerned, 1 am told by our military men that such commission Of inquiry would not add one iota to the knowledge of our mili- tary forces, etc., other countries now have, but would on the other hand add very greatly to our knowledge of the military forces and preparations of others.
 Disarmament is not something that can be achieved quickly 1; it is some thing that will take years, long years. to bring about and in the meantime 1t must have its safeguards.
 SeparaSe Defense Agreements
 The fourth basic principle of the American plan is also a permisSive one. I sko fo two or more countries for purposes of defense. Now. of course, by some these will be called defensive alliances; it will be said that this feature of the plan is 8 reluctant consent to the separate alliances of pre-war days; and there is some force in this criticism. l want to point out, however, to the critic some of the practical considera- tions that exist. We all know that sudh defensive agreements are now made and some are i'll existence. It is impossible in the present state or world opinion to forget them. l should be glad if it were; but the feeling of security which, as 1 have said. is at the foundation of this whole matter of disarmament is not yet sufficiently deep and extensive to permit the world to say that such agreements shall not be made. If we can bring about time when the countries now disposed to make them will feel that they are un- necessary, they will pass out of the picture.
 If the nations meeting in Geneva in September find it possible further to de. velop internationally the principles of the American plan, the league will once more have justified its creation and once more have proved that it is the eternal hone of mankind.