Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-07
Mepnher nf the Associated rresa.
The London Conference.

Inc L0nuOn conference.
Fornal invitations 40 from London
today to the United States. France.
italy and Japan to attend a conference
on naval limitation. The Anal decision
no longer TO delay these invitations was
reached At a conference between Presi-
dent Hoover and Ramsay Macdonald.
prime minister NJ Great Britsin. held
Yesterday in the fastnesses of the Blue
Ridge Mountains If Virginia. The fact
that the invitations now 20 forward H
taken as an indication that the efforts
to reconcile the differences between the
governments of the United states and
Great Britain aver cruiser tonnage
have In the brcsdest sense, been wiped
away.
The conference between the Chief
Executive and the Eritiah prime min
1ster IN the Virginia hills, where Mr..
Escver's camp Is located, takes on
added significance because Of the an
rouncement now made. The executive
heads OF the two governments have
arreed on the launching Of an interna-
t!cnel conference which is likely to have
the most far-reeching effects IN the
peace CT the world If the conference
groves successful. IT will put an end to
a race IN navy building. Nsvies have
been the aggressive forces in rnanv of
the zreat wars Of the world While On
agreement limiting ornaments will not
Ct itself Bring world peace II will hr
a long step IN the direction. IT will be
ar indication that the world at least IS
becoming more 'peace-rnirded" and the
raticns less suspicious CT their neigh
bcrs
u Is TO be presumed that the presi-
dent ard Mr.. Macdonald have care
fully weighed all the elements. all the
factors that must enter into such
conference on such a subject They
cover a wide AREAS Wide almost as
the world itself. A failure Of accom-
r!tshment at such conference would
be little short OF disastrous. II could
cnlv leave sore spots. But only through
actual effort will the nations Of the
world be able to bring about agreements
limiting armameyEts. All the talk In the
world about the Dement'S that would &C.
crue from agreements to limit ard to
cut down arrnamente can be Of educa-
ttcral value alone. In the end the ma
t!ors must sit at the conference table.
THIS Is this step which Is now to ee
taken
Ever since the werld War there has
been a demand from the peoples OF
the wcr' 'or some assurance OF peace
In the future. The responsible heads OF
various governments, however, are COM
PEELED to look forward TO contingencies
that may arise requiring armed action
W national defense. No nation feels
that 1t can throw down It's arms unless
all others do the same. Out Of the
hatred OF war, however, has grown ND
the demand for limitation of ornaments
In q sane manner. The old ada4e, In
time Of peace prepare for war" was syr,-
BIBLICAL Of q mental attitude that In the
end called for more var. II is TO get
away from that mental attitude that
the peoples Of the world are striving.
Much has been accomplished In the last
decade. Among the important steps waa
the Washington conference on naval ar
ncaments and the problems Of the Pa
cifc and the treaties growing out OF
that conference. II hlszed the wey. It
gave these who are demanding a sane
limitation Of armanents courage to 90
forward. More recently came the Kel-
legg rnult.lateral treaty renouncine war
as an instrument Of settling interna-
ticnal disputes, which has been signed
and ratihsd by al the great nations OF
the world.
A limitation Of naval arrnarents. II
It ts accomplished as result Of the
projected conference, will be concrete
evidence that the nations are becoming
more and mere psace-minded. The peo-
gle Of America, reace-lovins az they
are. will wish their British friends across
the Atlantic all success In this great
undertakins-an undertaking In which
th!s Government has been ready to
r.eet the British government more than
half way.