Evening star., 1930-06-13
stimson and the Admirals.

It was a flghting speech for peace
that Secretary Stimson delivered over
the radio last night in behalf of the
London naval treaty. He paid his re-
spects in vigorous fashion to the pro
fessional warriors" not only in this
country, but In Great Britain and
Japan, who are opposing ratification Of
the pact on the ground that 1t
imperils the naval defenses of those
respective powers.
Secretary Stimson brands the op-
position springing from these fight
ing men" as the attitude of men
blindfolded to one-half of the horizon
"a very important half" namely. the
portion which takes into considera-
ton preventive measures of 1nterna-
tional relations which are intended TO
make war less likely" The training
of such men, Secretary Stimson argues,
tends to make them think Of war as
the only possible defense against war.
They do not rightly evaluate," he says,
machinery which will prevent war by
substituting other remedies for the set
tlement of disputes between nations"
Secretary Stimson reminds us that
since the foundation of their Govern
ment the American people have placed
the decision of these matters 'in the
hands not of their admirals and gen.
erals but in the hands of their civilian
representatives" It is on this account
that the Secretary of State urges the
country not to heed the demand OF the
warriors" for rejection of the treaty, but
to listen to the pleas for ratification
which he and the other civilians who
negotiated 1t are now putting forth.
The administration spokesman intro
duces a new note into his defense Of
the treaty by pointing out what will
happen II ratification Is prevented at
this time and the treaty is made foot
ball Of senatorial politics In this years
congressional campaign. Secretary
Stimson asserts that untold harm will
result, from the international stand
point, If 1.-The possibilities Of war be-
tween this country and Britain or ia
pan are to be conjured up and paraded
before the voters" He is convinced that
nothing but unfounded suspicion and
ill-will can result from such an EFFORT
to drag the treaty into party politics.
For the reasons which he so tellingly
sdduces, Secretary Stimson calls for
prompt ratification of the treaty. He
comedies it does not go as far as Presi-
dent Hoover and the American people
hoped that It might. But he is unques-
tionably right IN branding it as "a
definite constructive step on the long
road toward international good under
standing and peace" It's defeat, Mr.
Stims,n assures US in considered words
In words that derive solemn meaning
because of the responsible and well In
formed quarter from which they en-
anate, would undo the progress OF
many years" The American people, 1
their overwhelming majority, are moi
willing to let an admirals' squabble
over the question whether the Ameri'
can Navy should have three more, Of
three fewer, 1o,000-ton cruisers carry
ing eight-inch or six-inch guns, wreck
this practical, even though incomplete
gesture in the direction Of VARIES
world. Secretary Stimson's address
which was presented in The Evening
| Stars National Radio Forum, deserve!
the careful consideration and the cor
dial support Of every true lover Of hi
country and every sincere believer ir
peace bulwarked by adequate nationa
| defense.