New Britain herald., 1926-04-03

city that the first light Of national istic brotherhood found its way 10 the chancallories of the world; for Elihu Burritt was not only staunch advocate for reform Of foreign relations but he was q hard worker to make himself heard, Perhaps for long time his voice was like one heard in the wilderness; but the ideas he sowcd have begun 10 bear fruit.
 Perhaps few realize the extent of the crop of international good will efforts that have been born since the days> when Burritt labored in this vineyard, Some Of them failed of expectations: but we have the League of Nations, the World Court and the Locarno pacts - all coming within the purview of the cherished tenets that Elihu Burritt once so valiantly enunciated Scarcely speaker upon these topics who does not pause to pay d tribute to New Britain's learned blacksmith. Thousands who know of his labors honor and revere his memory, at the same time knowing and caring little about the extent Of the hardware business, When they think of New Britain they think of Elihu Burrtt, who when he died left the world an idea.
 Consider the total of peace pro- jects and agreements that have ma tcrialized since the days Of the learned blacksmith,
 There were the Hague confer enccs in 1899 and 1907. The first adjourned with an international tribunal - the Hague Court of Ar bitration to it's credit; and con- ventions defining the rules of war fare. It did not succeed in effecting any reduction in land or sea arma- | ments. The second Hague confer | cnce established further rules of , warfare, but no reductions in armaments. In 1912 proposals for a naval holiday came to naught and the World War intervened tc prevent discussion for four years.
 At the Paris peace conference some headway was made, however ] Germany, Austria, Hungary and Bulgaria were dsarmed, the three latter being disarmed under the treaties Of Ncuilly, St. Gcrmain and Trianon. In the newly created League of Nations a general reduc- ton of armamcnts was contcm- plated This at least was a start along lines hcwed by Elihu Burrit' and every passing year sees greater realization of his ideal.
 The plans drafted at Geneva, thu Esher plan of 1921-@2, the draf treaty of mutual assistance il
 1923, and the Geneva protocol o
 1924 all failed, but they stimulated
 discussions and served a usefu
 purpose.
 The Washington arms conference of l921-29 is of recent memory il this country, resulting in the treat,
 for the limitation of naval arma
 mcnt between the British Empire
 France, Italy, Japan and the Unitc'
 States.
 The achievements of the Leagu
 in carrying out the idea originate,
 by Elihu Burritt has been conhne
 to clearing the ground and layin the foundation of conference The Council of the Lcaguc at it
 December session in 1925 too steps for the international confer cncc. which the United States wi attend. This conference will talk
 place this year. But before tha came the League meeting at whiC the formc enemy was 10 be aC . mittcd 10 the League. This gather ing began and ended amid muc . excitement and the millions wh believe in Elihu Burritt's idea wcI gricvously disappointed at the ou l come. Yet hope will not down ar
 the recent failure can be amendc in September.
 | lslihu Burritt did not labor
 vain, and this city is justified o honoring his memory.
 $ That Senate wct-and-dry hcaril - evidently won't h" the trcc-for-G 1t was toutcd 10 h".