The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-11-15
tOfficiai City. State and County Newspaper
In Danger Of Overlooking

The rcpercussion TO the presidents Armistice Day side
remarks favoring the establishment OF the freedom OF
the seas along with the proposed limitation OF naval
armament viii bear noting. The reaction will indicate
whether his altruism is infectious or whether he has
jccpardized a golden opportunity to accomplish a great
deal of good in the direction of permanent peace among
the nations. Already there is comment that he has en-
dansered the naval conference, although when he spoke
in favor of the freedom of the seas he expressly stipulated
that he was in no sensc adding the proposal TO the field
Of discussion that is to engage the London meeting.
For the freedom OF the seas is a proposal that has
been the maker Of international trouble for some cen
turtles and even led to war between the United States
and Great Britain in 1912.
For England the power to starve enemy peoples by
by naval protection assure itself a supply OF food sea-
borne from other countries has been a vital policy. That
Britain now would be willing to abdicate this policy is
rather inconccivable. There has been no development In
international politics or relations or III methods Of war;
fare that would justify such an assumption. To bring
up the matter, even in a hint. it would seem. therefore.
might tend to throw the naval limitation steps SO far
taken into some confusion before the conference even
gets assembled.
Perhaps President Hoover knows something that Is
concealed from the publics of the several naval nations
who are to join III the conference that made it possible
to speak out as he did on Armisticc day. II he spoke
merely on impulse, the splendid initiative which he
seemed to be taking may have, as one commentator has
put 1t. started something"
The analogy has been pointed out that the president.
may reap an outcome such as he harvested in speaking
out on the tariff. His proposal for limited revision in
favor OF agriculture. followed up by his announcement
for the flexible tariff provision, SO far has produced
only what may best be termed a mess" He created
hostility. Is Europe going to take an attitude similar
to the insurgent senators. when the delicate peace pro-
posals SO deftly arranged by the president and the British
premier come before the larger circle of dclibcrators?
That would be a calamity for the entire project Of
placing the world on a basis OF permanent peace and
making the kellogg pact renounciug war as a means
Of settling international friction a tangible sentiment
rather than mere words on paper. 1t all takes the mind
back to the unhappy days when Woodrow Wilson.
dreamer OF a vaster vision than Herbert Hoover for the
good Of the world and tho establishment OF the kingdom
Of peace on earth, SO encountered his grand design
that the load of 1t sunk the enterprise. except as the
present League Of Nations emerged from the remnants
Of the wreck. Is Herbert Hoover overlooking his project
for hating the race in naval armament by a limitation
ratio basis and thereby bringing the world nearer per-
manent peace. when he suggests adding thereto proposals
beyond the probable willingness Of the other nations to
accept?
For 1t is not only Great Britain. requiring food sup
plies brought in by sea. that can advance the prctext for
great naval ornaments that the peculiar character Of
her needs compcls tho use OF a vast navy. Other nations,
engaged III producing food that becomes contraband IL
tiHHc " - WHcH III transport 10 a Delllgefent can also
plead that they require a big navy to protect their sea-
borne commerce.
The president must have spoken on impulse when he
propced giving food ships in time Of war the status
Of hospital ships. He must have spoken out of that
broad humanitarianism he developed when feeding the
women and children Of Belgium. Whether he can in
spre England, France, Mussolini and Japan with the
same generous spirit only their repercussion can reveal
It hardly seems possible that the problem is viewed
abroad in the same state OF mind in which the presi-
dent speaks on 1t. At the utmost 1t would seem to BE-
. proposal that might well have been left to be taken
up In q future rapprochement Oh the subject of per-
manent peace by piecemeal.