Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-18
NATIONS WOMEN STRIVING
TO ABOLISH WAR MACHINE
Conference on Cause and Cure of War
Here This Week-Careful, Humble APP
plication by Members of ii Bodies.

Oh American EJElCdl OnlOLl dIlu wa
tional Women's Trade Union League.
Perhaps this year the women may
feel more encouraged in their efforts by
the closing speech of this Governments
representative at the Preparatory Dis
armament Commission meeting in Ge-
neva on December 9. Hugh S. Gibson,
United States Ambassador to Belgium,
told the world that he did not think
much of the results, and called for the
education OF public opinoin-"to edu-
cate public opinion and to prepare sys-
tematically for the work Of future con-
ferenceS as successive milestoneS in the
continuing process of disarmament"
AS for the world ornaments confer
ence which is enviSaged in about year,
Mr.. Gibson said: The technical prep
aration for that conference is in all
conscience great enough, but more
responsible task lies ahead of all our
governments in informing public opin-
ion as to the facts, as to the Difficult
ties and as to the possible measures
which may with mutual concession help
us toward the goal we all desire to
reach"
Ambassador GibSOn's Hint.
The program for this weeks meet
ings revolves around the results and
Developments of the London Naval Con-
ference Necessarily these programs
have to be announced months ahead,
for YOU have women back home in the
local organizations and delegates them.
selves who complain if anything comes
up that they did not know about. In
other words, they don't want anything
put over" on them.
Nevertheless. sometimes events move
fast and cannot wait for the women.
If the leaders are alive to Ambassador
Gibson's hints and admonitions, they
may look in the direction of the draft
convention" which is the little chicken
still rubbing its eyes which the hen
has brought forth in Geneva after
MANY sittings on the egg of the pre-
paratory commission. To change the
smile, it is just a framework to be
knocked down at will and rebuilt all
over again at the proposed world con-
! ference.
At the State Department.
Curious to know whether this docu-
ment had even reached Washington, l
propelled myself over to the grim, gray
pile housing the State, War and Navy
| Departments, all under one roof. Turn
ing to the modest section devoted 70
the affairs of state, after an absence OF
several years. like Rip Van Wrinkle. l
rubbed my eyes when almost the tirst
word that struck my vision was
international"
And, will wonders never cease, the
word was coupled with conference-in-
ternational conferences and protocol:
It was a lovely new sign, SplcK ana
span. black, with gold letters, over
door leading to suite of offices. Push
| ing it open hesitatingly, / saw young
woman at a desk who did not look upon
me as a traitor or spy when asked:
| us this the place where you receive
reports of international conferences,
Say-from Geneva?"
She went to consult somebody and
came back mo. You'll find those in
the Western European Division: see
Mr.. Field" And so that I should not
get lost in a maze of corridors, she
marked the number on slip OF paper;
Another sign, this time on the thlro
fioor-Western European Division. Ana
| the very first Office I walked into was
! the right one. My inquiry: DO you
get documents from Geneva, and have
YOU received the report of the Prepara-
tory Disarmament Commission?
Answer: What, the draft conven-
ton? Yes, here it is. Just came In a
few DAYS ago, and in this morning
mail came a verbatim report OF the
closing speeches. We have only copies
of these documents, but you're welcome
to look at them or copy them. All are
open to the public and TO the women
conference, should they wish to con-
suit them" He furthermore courte-
ously gave the address OF the private
agency where additional copies may be
! had when arrived in Washington.
AS for the new international Con-
ferences and Protocol" sign, that Is
nothing to write home about. 1t sim
ply means that. having sat in on a few
conferences and still holding the bag.
/ fN~Fy fnuT
an office has been opened to look ate
certain details If he does.
Peace Dove That Returned.
The most thrilling thing that has
| happened at any of these conferences
was the ratification of the Kellogg
BRAND pact on the very day in Janu-
airy, 1929, when the delegates made
pilgrimage to the Hill, State by State.
They went to carry resolutions 1ndors-
ing the pact from 10000 meetings they
had arranged during the months that
| the pact had been under discussion.
That was a peace dove that came home
| to roost quicker than any one expected.
AS Mrs. Gait reminded her hearers: i
have never known any public proposal
in my long life to move so fast as this
treaty Twelve thousand resolutions
for first campaign by the women OF
record which may well make us proud"
Mrs. Gait, however, pointed out that
the treaty was neither final nor COM
plete.
The London naval pact had a break,
too. so far as these WomenS help Is
concerned. When they met last Janu-
airy it was in time to send their reso-
lutions by two of their delegates, Mrs.
Edgerton Parsons and Miss Josephine
Schain, who went to London for the
purpose. Joining up with Japanese and
British women's populations, they were
received by Premier Macdonald. En-
visaging reduction of ornaments, the
treaty did not come up to expectations.
But after weighing the pros and cons
these same organizations urged accept
ance. They worked hard in the Sen
ates special session last Summer.
Though all the plenary conferences
have been held in Washington, the
National Committee on. the Cause and
Cure of War maintains a permanent
Office in New York. It is a modest
room. with a secretary, in the Grand
Central Terminal Building. The dele
gates who come to Washington pay a
SIS entrance fee for the privilege of
attending 1t is not yet known whether
the economic depression will affect this
years attendance and keep women at
home.
But that the economic situation al
ready has reached under the skin Is
evidenced by the likelihood that eco
Monies as affected by this country's in
ternaaRnAS Nn;icieS will be on the pro-
gram next year.
(Copyright. 1919
Pacific ROute Lai5