Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-05-26
SUGGESTIONS FROM GENEVA
CONFERENCE

Those who read the reports of the
armament conference preliminaries
at Geneva-doubtless the number of
readers is smaller than it should be
are reminded Of some Of the burn
ing lessons they assumed the old
world had learned eight years ago,
but which yet appear to be neither
learned nor in all respects accep-
table to the pupil.
What Is to be done with sub
marines? Do they threaten the life
OF the English people in event Of
another war? How may countries,
like England, with small land forces,
hedged about by the sea, properly
decide what the size Of the French
army, for instance, should be? How
may the United States cooperate
with the League Of Nations, when
the latter assumes there may be no
cept after thorough study of
all pertaining thereto; that the
Leagues technically qualified ex-
perts must first go to the heart Of
the matter and prepare a program
for later negotiations. especially as
Uncle Sam insists that first certain
concrete facts should be dealt with
as facts and not alone by rounda-
bout theories to be considered at
some later date?
It Is obvious that France is not
prepared to reduce her land forces
materially, nor would we assume
that she is blamable on that ac-
count. Self protection urges her to
insist that Germany. even though
dtsarmed. is equipped with trained
man power and industrial facilities
for arrning them quickly.
The situation of France IS not
that OF either England or the United
States. She asks that the strength
ening of the League covenant shall
be done by a future disarmament
conference. She would have this
preliminary conference invite the
Council OF the League to frame
regulations, which will enable that
body to act quickly and decisively
in case Of war or a threat OF war;
that shall empower 1t to enforce the
obligations OF the covenants sort
Of super-govenment for the time be-
ing-empower 1t to draft recommen-
dations for military assistance to an
attacked state, also to adopt facili-
ties that would permit swift action
toward quenching the incipient
blaze Of a war confla grafton. One
need not wonder France asks this,
not solely for purposes of procrasti-
should do no less than recommend
such action for future consideration,
even though 1t does foreshadow a
lapse into theoretical discussion and
avoidance of concrete solutions.
Immediately practical suggestions
are not to be stifled. Japan is to
be credited with the best one yet;
that there be a naval conference for
that If France and Italy do not wish
TO take part in this. Japan, England
and America may do 50. Indeed 1t
would not seem impossible that
Japan and America might together
accomplish something II the others
do not care to come in.
The last conference applied 1imi-
tation to capital ships and Great
Britain, this country and Japan ar
rived at an adjustment of relative
strength, but we are far inferior in
cruiser strength and Japan's sug-
gestion so appears to be a very
friendly and helpful one. Indeed
some authorities consider the cruiser
problem as a key to any effective
naval adjustment. Possibly some
grain may yet be winnowed out OF
the Geneva conference, notwith-
standing its tendency to confine IT
self to threshins over old straw.