The Weber Literary Journal Again, Secretary Daniels advocated that the navy department aims not at dominance but at equality. But this fact is clear, that continued production and additions to our navy will only result in competition and suspicion on the part of England and Japan. If the present army program were carried out, the War Department would come around asking for a deficiency appropriation, estimates of which range from 60 to 90 million dollars. Senator McCumber says, that by June first the treasury deficit will be not less than two billions of dollars, and that there will be no money for a single new project. As to the navy, shall we continue to build 40-million dollar battleships the first cost of each being equivalent to the endowment of two great universities, for the sake of possessing in 1925, a navy more powerful than Great Britain's? In the present world situation, strained to the breaking point by the failure to produce and distribute goods necessary to feed, cloth and keep warm the people of the world, is it a sane thing for unconquerable America to spend billions of dollars for a dread-naught navy, whose only certain effect will be to cause further destructing expenditures, and which, owing to aircraft and submarine development would be practically useless for war, perhaps, even before the navy department's proud program is completed. However, the financial loss experienced by this country in maintaining large armed forces is not the only element of evil in extensive armament. The disastrous result of such a program lies in the fact that armament is the dreadful Monster in the path of peace; that armament is the cause of war and its terrible calamities. If but one nation were to prepare for war as a means of preserving peace, bad results may not follow. But this is not the case. When one nation arms, others follow and the fancied security vanishes. Rivalry between nations ensues, and preparation, so far from promoting peace sows suspicion and jealousy, developing into hatred and prolific seed of future war between nations hitherto peacefully disposed. Nations are only aggregations of men and all human experience proves 8 The Weber Literary Journal that men unarmed are less likely to quarrel than men armed. Hence, in civilized lands they are prohibited from arming. Let us take for example two neighbors having a difference which a friendly interview would solve, then why should we not come to a decision on the equality of a nation's sea-power by means of an arbitration tribunal. Could not equality be obtained by a reduction of numbers just as well as increasing numbers. Why did the navy department discontinue their naval program with America's entrance into the War. Because a greater call came for anti-submarine and anti-aircraft ships of battle. Is it not a waste of money then to continue now what war in the time of actual battle considered useless? Fellow citizens must the people of this country labor under enormous financial burdens in order to provide the cause of another struggle such as the one from which the low rumbles of threatening storm still come to us? Must the people be supinely on their backs while the military maniacs appropriate their hard earned money for wild schemes of disastrous armament? Americans, tear from your eyes this dark mantle of delusion; shout your desires for substantial protection to the skies, that such schemes may be frustrated. Your sister nations have received with acclamation of joy proposals for gradual international disarmament. They await America's decision. Let them have that decision now from the heart of every true citizen. Let us unite in a mighty effort to provide the safeguard of American Integrity. Delbert Wright. 9