Evening star., 1938-03-22

rearmament, the consequence Of politi-
cal pickering and economic back
biting, this Nation wishes to be in
position where it can negotiate on an
equal footing with the other great
powers and can throw the full weight
of its influence into the scales on the
side Of arms limitation and reduction.
Eager to Cooperate.
This Nation stands today, As it has
for years past, willing and eager to
cooperate in any way with any nation
or combination of nations to limit the
ornaments that threaten the peace Of
the world. Recent statements both
by the President and the Secretary
of State have emphasized this fact.
On the day when the nations begin to
compose their differences and free
their trade from excessive impedi-
ments, internal and international
conditions will begin to improve, ten
sion will become less grave, security
will become greater and the demand
for non-productive military prepara-
ton will disappear.
Then, and not until then, will be
the time to resume the talk of disarma-
ment and disarmament conferences.
Then will be the moment for another
move forward. Then, in proportion to
the appeasement in the political and
economic spheres, will limitation and
reduction of ornaments take place.
Meanwhile this Nation is exerting
every effort to speed that day. Through
the gloom of military preparation and
disregard for treaties and national
boundaries the policies Of this Nation
shine as the one ray Of hope. To this
patient task the President and the
Secretary of State have set them
selves in rebuilding the worlds shat
tered trade routes by means Of this
administrators program Of reciprocal
agreements.
President Roosevelt and Secretary
Hull know that trade and peace 60
hand in hand. They know that trade
moves on two-way thoroughfare, and
that excessive tariffs, high quotas and
prohibitive exchange restrictions choke
the free flow of commerce. They know
that mutually beneficial trade gives
birth to mutual security among ma
tions. They know that this can
result in but one thing-mutual con-
f1dence and respect among nations.
Once mutual confidence and respect
have been restored the necessity for
excessive armaments will disappear
Once excessive armaments disappear
the peoples of the earth may concen-
trate on constructive rather than de-
structive effort. Acting on this knowl-
edge, President Roosevelt and Secre-
tary of State Hull have been engaged
since this administration came into
Office to clear the trade routes between
the United States and it's neighboring
nations
Might Has Upper Hand.
The Navy increase for which We
are asking will be giving us merely
enough power to defend our coasts
and preserve the Monroe Doctrine in
the South and Central American
countries. Europe is in such q con-
dition that national boundaries change
overnight. The dictators appear in
tent upon running roughshod over the
rights of the people Might is being
recognized rather than right. No one
even dares hazard a guess as to what
may occur in Europe in the near
future. In the Far East Japan is
slowly assimilating vast portions of
China. Three countries. Germany,
Italy and Japan, have banded together
in secret agreement. In view of these
developments it is imperative that we
build our Navy sufficiently strong for
the preservation of our rights and
the protection of our people. Every
one will agree. 1 think, that If We
are properly equipped other nations,
military inclined, will give pause be-
fore daring to violate our rights
This Government refuses to let its
people be gored between the horns
of the dilemma of international be-
havior. 1t seeks neither to police the
world in restoring the observance of
international law and order nor does
1t seek to isolate itself diplomatically.
It continues its traditional policy of
contributing what it may, without
entangling alliances or commitments
to the rehabilitation of international
law and order, and traditionally avoids
policy of complete isolation that
permits international anarchy to run
its course
1t expands its naval forces with ill