The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1950-02-22
NO PEACE BY CONFERENCE


Another call comes for the President
Of the United States to invite the nations
to world conference for disarmamen e.
Senator Willard E. Tydings, of Maryland,
would like to see the fears Of the worid
relieved by reducing all weapons down %
the rifle.
Mr.. Tydings is the second prominent
Senator to suggest conference on arna-
ments. Earlier, Senator Brien McManon,
Of Connecticut, suggested $4,000 ,oVO,-
900 Crusade for Peace and recommend
ed that at almost any cost, the United
States seek an international arrangement
neutralzing atomic and hydrogen weap-
ons.
No one can find fault with the pur-
pose that these Senators, and many oth-
ers, have in mind when they urge the adj
visibility of a limitation upon ornaments.
Nor can any reasonable person doubt the
danger that the nations, in their race for.
arms supremacy, are setting the stage for
another great conflict. All of us realize
the general good that will come to the ma
tions if they can, with confidence in each
other, limit their preparations for war
The issue goes much deeper than
superficial desire for peace. The prepare
tons Of the United States for war continue
despite this country's Well-publicized de-
sire To limit ornaments and to outlaw the
atomic and hydrogen bombs 1t goes on
largely because the Soviet Union has, up
to this time, steadfastly rejected every
provision for International inspection
which is necessary to guarantee that all
nations carry out their disarmament agree
ments.
We have no way of konwing whether
the Russian Government suspects the mo-
tives Of the United States, but it is certain
" fact that in this country, both Govern
ment and the people are apprehensive of
possible Russian aggression. With full
knowledge that the Communists do not
believe in democracy, as we understand
the term or in the freedoms that we think
are necessary to individual happiness,
there is firm determination not to permit
the Russians to have sufficient power to.
conquer the world and to compel all peo-
pies to accept the tenets of Communism.
It is hard to see how the United States
can do anything more. Perhaps, an invita-
ton to an international conference on dis
armament would do no harm Certainly, it
would give the Soviet leaders another OPP
portunity to show their good faith and
peaceful intentions but it is difficult to be-
lieve that any change has occurred in the
Communist attitude. Consequently, some
word from the Russians, which could be
conveyed secretly through diplomatic cham
nels, is important if the international con-
ference is to have an opportunity to sue
coed in its purpose.
1t is beginning to appear that some OF
the officials of the United States are be-
coming bit nervous as they contemplate
the possibility of an armed clash with Rus
STA. Mr.. Tydings speaks of the worlds
nightmare of fear and Mr.. Mcmahon
urges agreement at almost any cost. It
seems strange that no similar apprehen-
sion is apparent in any of the declarations
that come from Soviet officials. Even dur
ing the period when the United States had
the atomicsbotnb exclusively, there was no
indication that the Russians were expert
encing. any nightmare in regard to the
world Mutation and future events.