The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-06-18
REDUCING THE WORLDS WAR
BURDEN

AS the subjects to be discussed
are very complicated, the session
will probably continue for several
months. 1t was appropriate that
| the first meeting of the Conference
took place on International Goodwill
Day; for the success OF the meeting
will greatly improve the outlook fol
world peace. The reduction o.
ornaments reduces the fear and dis
truct which make nations fight
rather than arbitrate. Reduce arm
aments, and the possibility OF
settling disagreements peacefully at
once increases.
The United States has long been
eager to carry on the work begun at
the Washington Conference OF 1921
I22, when competition in battleship
building was checked, and menac-
ing rivalry for sea-power between
this country, England and Japan was
turned into friendly cooperation
The interest of Americans in the
present Conference was reflected II
the vote in Congress on the appro
priation for the expenses OF oul
delegation. The House OF Represen'
tatives passed the appropriation will
only one dissenting vote; and the
Senate approved it unanimously.
The American representative at
the Conference is Hon. Hugh S
Gibson, United States Minister to
Switzerland. He is an experienced
diplomat, who has, served his coun
try in many ways. He is assisted by
staff of expert advisors from the
State, War, and Navy Departments.
The present gathering is not q
Disarmament Conference. No re
auctions in armies or navles or IL
military costs, will result from the
Conference directly. Its task is tt
prepare for Disarmament Con
ference, or a series OF conferences
which will eventually lead to {
Tightening of the taxpayers bur
dens, and reduction OF the DANCE.
of war which always exists when the
world is an armed camp.
The world is still an armed camp
According to figures recently prepar
ed by Mr.. Richard v. 0ulahan
Washington correspondent Of the
New York Times. the five great
powers, United States, British EN-
pire, France, Itlay and Japan spent
altogether, in 1913, $1,060,13S,595
on their military defenses. In 1925
the same five nations spent $1.766,
S09,O74, or 1867 as much as
twelve years ago. And 1925 was
six years after the end of the war
to end war" France has had tt
import from 10000 to 100000
foreign laborers; to do necessary
work that she did not hays men te
do. The presence of this large
number of foreigners is causing
many Frenchmen serious anxiety
Yet France has $4,000 officers ano
men in her standing army. These
two groups Of figures illustrate the
Importance of reduction of arm
aments TO taxpayers and citizens.
The reduction OF armamSpts is
important. The problem OF how to
reduce ornaments is very difficult
because of the distrust Of neighbors
which has grown up through gen
erations of war. Var is admittedly
disastrous, to winner as well
loser; but there is a natural fea
! cfo q
weakening of ones own militaf.
strength that is not simultaneously,
offset by corresponding reductio.
on the part of ones neighbors. Tn
small nations have realized that thi
fear is unfounded. Holland, Den
4 mark, Norway and Sweden are
definitely recognizing that small
nations cannot fight successfully
against large ones, and are adopting
a policy of reducing their armies
and relying on fair dealing ano
friendly relations to protect them
But the larger nations are not We,
ready for that policy, although il
the long run it seems to be tho
Ewisest.
Feeling this reed OF maintain
ing their military defsAs6s, and al
the same time reducing their armies
and navies, the problem arises OF
how to reduce. A nation whose
people are well educated can, il
case of emergency, orgAHize an EFF
fectWe fighting force more rav,dly
than a country with an illiterate
population. A nation with abundan
raw materials and factories, pro
ducing most of what it needs, il
much stronger than a nation thai
has to import its food and rev
material, even though the second
country may have the stronger