Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-03

value to have nations discuss the
question of ornaments together; in
this way the whole world can be
educated to perceive the real Difficult.
ties in the way of any effective re-
duction of armies. But SO far as
Europe is concerned no conference
can lead TO general and tangible re
suits. because no conference can bind
those present to mutual assistance
in case OF attack and therefore each
nation will have 10 be, in the last
analysis. judge of the extent of its
own preparations for defense.
Our presence at the conference will
be useful in so far as il indicates our
interest and sympathy, it Will be use
full to US at home in SO far as 1t
serves TO give publicity TO the facts
in the European situation. But the
results are likely to be meager that
is. the positive results measured in
terms of reductions. because the con-
ference cannot. as ! have said, con-
tribute to security and therefore to
reduction.
Europe is in the process of read
justing its military strength 10 the
new conditions which the postwar
arrangements have brought about.
France, for example. is reducing her
European army TO a third of its pre-
war strength. Italy has reduced hers
by at least half. Germany has been
compelled to cut hers to practically
nothing. Britain has returned to her
pre-war strength. In ell human
probability the French army and the
British will remain where they are for
considerable period of time, while
the German is bound in no long time
and despite treaties to be brought TO
the French level.
What is most to be hoped for. al
though it must take a long time to
be attained is some standard Of
strength between the great powers
which VIII preclude the ultimate ar
rival of new competition. But this
well nigh Utopian result cannot be
obtained by conference in the first
place. but by private adjustment and
by the general improvement in
European conditions.
The problem of limitation of arma
ments, then, is not in any real sense
problem of peace at the present
time. II will be adjusted and is be-
ing adjusted precisely as the prob
lem of peace itself is being adjusted.
Security and absence of fear are re-
ducing armies. The process is bound
to go on and the spur is obviously
the burden of expense involved in the
maintenance of the armies.
No Army Competition.
At the Washington conference we
put an end to an impending competi-
ton in naval construction, which did
not represent any competition in in
terests, but did involve a tremendous
financial outlay. There is now no
competition in armed strength in Eu-
rope. There Is no immediate peril
incident to such competition. Armies
az hatnpr az
nation of Importance save Germany,
which has been forcibly disarmed be-
low the level of her neighbors, has
any interest in advocating an in
crease in it's army.
The best that might come from a
conference or from several confer
ences might be the ultimate agree
ment upon an approximate scale of
ornaments which would limit eX-
pense. cover national ideas of the min
imum of security and at the same
time avoid provoking fears in other
nations, But to attain this end It
would be necessary first to arrive at
other Locarno pacts and other par
ticular agreements. in none of which
could we have part or parcel beyond
| indicating our benevolent approval.
For those who expect great results
the Geneva conferences will prove a
| bitter disappointment, for those who
see In the fact of the conference the
proof of the Improvement of general
conditions there is much reason for
| rejoicing. While nations do not fear
1 each other their armies are not a
menace to peace. But it is precisely
| at such a time that mutual agree
ments could and should he made linn
| iting strengths. for when fear exists
| then armies do inspire additional ap-
| prehension and ultimate competition.
/ Disarmament cannot be a contribu-
! ton to peace directly. hut peace can
| nightly contribute to the reduction
Of. armies. That IL the present hope.
fCopyrisht. 1920