Evening star., 1928-03-20

II is generally agreed that the most
vital element in abolishing war. whether
aggressive or defensive, consists IN
the will for peace" How soon pubic
sentiment throughout the whole world
viii achieve that will toward peace" Is
in question. and only the foolhardy
pacifist is ready to proclaim that un-
preparedness on the part OF part OF
some OF the nations can advance the
cause. In the meanwhile. however, 1t
is encouraging 10 note the increasing
popularity OF advocacy OF peace meth
DDS among the world leaders OF gov
ernments. but 1t is pointed out. even al
Geneva. that all Is not gold that gllt-
ters" in the flashing OF peace propa-
ganda. ..
representatives. upon their flrSt appear
ance in the meeting OF the preparatory
disarmament conference. advocated
immediate disarmament" OF all ma
tions. even while 1t is notorious that
the Soviet government is pursuing =
policv menacing all established gov
ernments. and is itself building up the
strongest possible army. The proposal
was presented. according TO the corre-
spondent of the Christian Monitor, in
a truculent tone" which provoked the
other members of the conference to re-
ceive IL in complete silence. Proposing
world peace with threatening manner
appeared TO the representatives as
somewhat incongruous.
The will to peace" owes its posi-
bility to the meaning of the word
will" rather than to any specific
methods of compulSion, according 70
advocates OF defensive preparedness.
Other loopholes in pacifiStic plans are
noted In the difference OF proposals
coming from Premier BRAND Of France
and Secretary of State kellogg. The
former has been clinging TO the pro-
poSal merely that the United States
and France should agree not TO resort
10 war but to submit all differences
not capable OF adjustment by diplo-
macy 10 the arbitrament OF neutral
decision. Secretary Kellogg has urged
that the agreement should be broad
ened so as TO include other great pow
ers and To abolish war as national
policy. This would not forbid reason
able preparedness for defense against
attack. for IL Is recognized that all
diplomatic agreements become scraps
of paper" In the hands Of would-be
WOtiN tNAtQaCANt. aNu tAlAt ulcAUN Nl
defense cannot be provided after an
enemy appears at the gate. II takes
years 10 construct q navy and years To
organize and equip an army of defense
The will toward peace Is no substitute
for common sense, however influential
1t Is toward restraining junkerS
~ -
Merely erippling our own defense
has never failed to enhance our proha-
hility of being attacked that Is the
familiar argument of advocates og pre-
paredneSS
II is noteworthy how the nations
are maneuvering in the development
OF their diplomacy upon this subject
When Secretary kellogg undertook 10
broaden Premier brands arbitration
agreement by applying the same to all
the great world powers, instead of linn
iting t merely 20 France and the
United States. 81 that war should be
denounced AS national policy by them
all. the French position Was main
tanned firmly that that would 10 Inn
possible, since it would conflict with
Frances obligation to the League OF
Nations. requiring all member nations
10 join In repreSSive measures against
any aggressive" nation Rut the
latest report from France indicates
surrender Of that refusal to bar war
as national policy, not merely 20
Quthhle upon that word "aggreSSivc,
Nevertheless, there appears to he a
catch III Premier Brands alieged con-
ceSSion Ia the kellogg proposition. for
now he undertakes to 50 Secretary Kel-
logg one better by including not only
the great powers but all the little ma
tlons of the Western Hemisphere Ii
Is eontended. according to dispatches
from Geneva, that that Is sly attempt
10 trap the United states into watV-
ure 0t the Monroe hhStrinr, which IN
Wolves protection of the peace OF this
hemisphere against any aet ol ag9rvS~
Sion from EtTupe, just as SoOn AS the
United states entered into pledge not
10 guard this hemisphere against Ell.
ropean agsreSSorS nv armed folCe ii
necessary, the Monrue ncetrhe, which
has protected the little nations eg
America In maintaining their inne.
pendenee for century, would he sur