Evening star., 1925-12-08
so much that is beneficial to the

When these agreements are finally
adopted they will provide guarantees
of peace that make the present prime
reliance upon force in some parts of
Europe very much less necessary.
THE natural corollary to these treaties
should be further international con-
tracts for the limitation of ornaments.
This work was successfully begun at
the Washington conference. Nothing
was done at that time concerning
land forces because of European OBJ.
lection. Our standing army has been
reduced to around $4,000, about the
necessary police force for liz. 200. 900
people. We are not proposing to in
crease 1t, nor is it supposable that any
foreign country looks with the slight
est misrepresentation upon our land
forces. They do not menace anybody.
They are rather protection to every.
body.
The question Of disarming upon land
is so peculiarly European in its prac-
teal aspects that our country would
look with particular gratitude upon
any action which those countries
might take to reduce their own mill.
tary forces. This is in accordance
with our policy of not intervening un-
less the European powers are unable
to agree and make request for our
assistance. Whenever they are able
to agree of their own accord 1t is
especially gratifying to us. and such
agreements may be sure of our sym.
pathetic support.
1t seems clear that it is the reduc-
ton of armies rather than of navies
that is of the first Importance to the
world at the present time. We shall
look with great satisfaction upon that
effort and give it our appreciation and
encouragement. If that can be settled,
we may more easily consider further
reduction and limitation Of naval
ornaments. For that purpose our
country has constantly through its
Executive and through repeated acts
of Congress indicated its willingness
to call such a conference. Under con-
greSS1onal sanction it would seem to
be wise to participate In any confer
ence of the great powers for. naval
limitation of armament proposed upon
such conditions that it would hold a
fair promise of being effective. The
general policy Of our country is for
disarmament. and 1t ought not to
hesitate to adopt any practical plan
that might reasonably be expected to
succeed. But 1t would not care to at
tend conference which from it's 10.
cation or constituency would in all
probability prove futile.
Peace Agreement Signed.
In the further pursuit of strength
entng the bonds Of peace and good
Will we have Joined with other nations
in an international conference held at
Geneva and signed an agreement
which will be laid before the Senate
Tor ratification providing suitable
measures for control and for pub
lictty in international trade in arms,
ammunition and implements Of war,
and also executed a protocol providing
for a prohibition of the use of poison
gas In war. in accordance with the
principles OF article 5 of the treaty
relating thereto signed at the Wash
ington conference. We are support.
Ing the pan-American efforts that are
being made toward the codification of
international law. and looking with
sympathy on the investigations being
conducted under philanthropic aus
pices Of the proposal to make agree
ments outlawtng war. In accordance
with promises made at the Washing.
ton conference, we have urged the
calling of and are now represented
at the Chinese customs conference
and on the commission of extraterri.
toriality, where it will be our policy
so far as possible to meet the aspira-
tions OF China in all ways consistent
with the interests of the countries
involved.