Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-03


sembled in Washington last week with
80 patriotic organizations represented
and put itself on record as favoring
the cruiser bill, without time limita-
tons, and any other measures looking
toward adequate military or naval de-
tense for the United States.
THE multilateral peace treaty Is a
commendable gesture" said Paul v.
McNutt, national commander OF the
American Legion, in an address be-
fore the opening session of the confer
ence Tuesday evening at Memorial Con-
tinental Hall. which, from its enthu-
siaStic reception, voiced the united
sentiments of the assembly. But
what does gesture mean ii there is
no force in the arm which makes II!
Let America sign the treaty to outlaw
war as a national policy-with this
am heartily in accord-but let her sign
it with strong right arm-an arm
which has the power to defend itself
against infringementS or invaSions-So
that other nations, knowing that We
are prepared to maintain the peace for
which we have expressed desire, VIII
respect our views on the subject.
LAS the world stands today the great
est assurance We can have OF peace is
adequate preparation for war. agrees
sors are not looking for a strong OPP
ponent, but an easy victim.
I'VE patriotic women desire peace
said Mrs. Boyce Ficklen, jr., chairman
rS the conference But I think /
au,ow the temper of you who are as
sembled here when say that
we will never let America diSarm While
other nations are arming. In cen
fury and half of our national lie
America has never engaged in war
for which we were prepared. Let us
profit by past lessons.
Every true-hearted patriotic Amer
ican woman stands squarely benlnd an
adequate program OF self-delenSe 1or
the United States OF America. we are
gathered here tonight to let America
know this
America is opposed to aggression ana
70 imperialism in all its forms" declared
Senator Frederick Steiner of oregon;
I'VE disapprove domination of powerful
nations over the weak and every man
ner of duress. We are opposed 10 COM
netition between nations in naval arma-
ments. Almost universally we desire
peace, With peace we seek reasonable
Security against attack made upon us
or unon our people by other powers.
Those who came in contact with the last
war know that We do not want more
war. Every proposal in our mterna-
tional policy ought to be in the direc-
ton of peace.
"A significant step in this direction is
the recently ratified Kellogg Briano
treaty. I want to make prlei reI-
erence to this treaty and to the degree
of security which we have achieved by
means of the treaty. The treaty had my
heartiest support. It renounceS war as
a policy and pledges the nations bound
bv the treaty to seek settlement OF in
ernational controversy by pacific means,
and yet the strongest advocates OF tnis
treaty, both at home and abroad, nave
recognized that the right OF self-defenSe
is inherent in national existence ana
that it may not be bartered away by
treaty. Probably no nation would have
accepted the treaty, and certainly the
United States would not have adhered
to it. except upon the theory that 1t pre-
served the right of self-defense."
x* x x
NTN no way do we care to have our
l. country outdistanced," said Mrs.
Alfred Brosseau, director general or the
Daughters of the American Revolution,
(which impels us to declare that we are
not vet ready to subscribe to the theory
that adequate defense is fallacious or
smacks of Imperialism.
ut might be, were the United States.
alone of all the great powers which
have become Signatories to the peace
pact. of that mind. But so long as
other nations deem protection neceS-
slty for their borders, their coast lines,
their commerce and their peoples.
there is no reason why this country
Ia 1.
fable precaution in regard to all that
which it claims as its own.
"The first steps toward world peace
have been taken, and there is no nor
NAL individual who would wish to see
them retraced or retarded in their FUR
thor progress. At the same time, who
would crush autobiography at
this point of apparent international
readjustment-the instinct OF self
preservation, protection of ones own
and the defense of those VINO are
weaker?"
Viewing the question of national de-
tense from another angle, Senator Ia,
vid A. Reed of Pennsylvania discussed
the need for careful supervision OF
immigration laws:
1T is up to us Americans VINO 90
not hyphenate our allegiance, who look
insist that the law diScriminates against
no one. But we must not allow the
gates to be thrown open to the trash
of Europe and those who escape from
serving iail sentences If they Will emil
CRATE" :. ,
mart of Americas defense IN peace
time. Just as important an adjunct as
the Army or Navy.
keep this fortress around our from
tier" he concluded, Ito repulse thlS
horde that would come here and
change the character OF this Natlon
that we all so dearly love-" A.
Two other speakers OF note on lnt
three-day program of the conference
were Rear Admiral r. E. Coontz ane
Assistant Secretary of War Col. 9. b
Robbins. who outlined the present
status and the needs of Americas mil
litary and naval forces.
weakness is never a protectlon. i
simply invites aggression and olsregare
of ones rights said Admiral Coontz
"If weak, we are always in position
to be slapped in the face in time o
war between European nations. Blum
ing will not work then. Without ade
quate defense we are forever in danger
We need a f1rst-claSs Navy"
Senator Hiram Bingham OF Connec
ticut addressed the closing session OF
Treaties" citing their value and thei
limitations.
X X
TWO such charming and well equip
ped candidate have been nomi
mated for the Office of president of tn
Congressional Club that the matter o
balloting in favor of one or the othe
will be extremely difficult, according t
the members, who are to gather a
the clubhouse, on New Hampshire ave
nue.. Wednesday morning to select thei
new roster Of officers. In addition t
the election of a president, five vic
presidents. corresponding and recordni
secretaries and a treasurer are to
named.
Mrs. Porter H. Dale. wife of Senate
Dale of Vermont, and Mrs. Louis {