St Marys High School - Labarum Yearbook (Saginaw, MI)

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The Limitation of Armaments Myif, HEN we consider the meaning of the word disarmament, the laying down of arms--is it strange that we should find nations, freshly scarred with the woundspof war, turning hopeful eager eyes to the great powers who sit in conference seeking that they may find a means of lifting the crushing weight of heavy armament from the over- burdened shoulders of the people and nations of the world? Last May when our own President Harding viewed the five thousand flag-draped caskets bearing the mortal remains of as many American heroes, as they were taken from the transport to the pier at Hoboken, he was moved to exclaim, It must not be again. This cry was but an echo of the thought that has pulsated in countless mother-hearts down through the ages. And surely it is the mothers who have borne an im- mense share of sorrow and suffering that is the accompaniment and the successor of the tyranny of war. During those shadowed years of the recent conflict, in how many homes under our own banner did not sad eyes. see the blue service star change to one of shining gold, while the duties and complexities of everyday life compelled the mothers to con- tinue their usual course with lips forced into the brave smile that hid an aching heart. As though this long procession of mothers, winding down through the ages with their appeal that contentions among nations find other means of settlement than the clash of swords, was not sufficient or perhaps contained too much sentiment to sway the master minds conferring, industry comes with her story of retarded progress when unskilled hands were forced to take the helm. Statistics show the loss in a financial way when war reigns with its unsettled markets and in- dustrial conditions. Education, too, comes bringing with it its lengthened list of careers that gave promise of unusual brilliancy prematurely brought to a close again bytwar. Art and literature each has paid its heavy toll in the loss of great minds among their followers. A death most keenly felt in the world of letters was that of Joyce Kilmerg his beauty of soul shone forth in the faculty of raising men's minds above the commonplace or in teach- ing them to find the beautiful among life's lowly things. A In the world of science men who are authorities in their particular branch of science, turn from their work of contributing to the progress and comfort of man to put forth their every energy in the manufacture of products that carry with them death, or perhaps the living death of shattered in- tellect or loss of sight. Does it not seem almost contrary to civilization that such things should be? Speaking on the limitation of armaments at the Catholic University of VVashington, the Reverend William J. Kerbey recently made an ap-

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comprehensive view of the entire cost of government administration. As a result of this system President Harding has been able to make a reduction of approximately S576,000,000 in the expenses for the fiscal year 1922. The budget system has ushered in a new era in government busi- ness,-an era of conscientious effort to keep the cost of government down to the lowest point consistant with our national needs. Let us hope that the effort so far made is but an index to the greater things yet to come in government efficiency. -Edward J. Waters, '22 ....,..-. 0-..1.., A madonna Ever an inspiration it must hold, Our artist's vision of that lovely face Out smiling from its frame of guardian gold As shaft of sunlight in the shadowed place. Fair is the brow as garden lily pure With petals closing o'er a heart of gold, And oh, the Wealth of love and tenderness That in the shadowed depths the sweet eyes hold. - Mother of mine, whatever years may bring- The shine of laughter or the dew of tears- Pray that I hold thy picture in my heart A beauteous vision through the pilgrim years! -Frances A. Ryan, '22

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peal that the individual realize more fully his social obligations and duties, each man understanding that he forms a vital part of the coun- try's life. The speaker told also of the need of divinely guided motives of patriotism, that the horrors of war from the standpoint of race and nation, and the divine sanction of all efforts to supress it, be more fully understood. He pointed out that the views held by the individual, the votes cast by him, the sentiments uttered, the reflection that the indi- vidual gives to questions in regard to public welfare, and the attitude he shows toward a nation's laws, are of the utmost importance, for it is combined individual thought that goes to make up national life. Fear of invasion and eagerness to protect its national boundary lines, make one nation cautious about limiting its war equipment. The economic necessities of another, cause it to be reserved in the expression of its views on the disarming of nations. Pressure of population and desire for a national expansion cause still another to be cautious in spite of the generosity it shows in its speech. Some nations, helpless on ac- count of domestic disunion, spread uncertainty among the other nations. Reluctance to trust the spoken or even written word, and the time old custom of building defenses against emergencies, make all nations move most cautiously. Among the nations considering disarmament, our own beloved country stands eager to do its utmost while passing over the difficult ways that lead to peace. Perhaps we are able to carry our good-will a little further than other nations because our country is unhampered by historical policies or by experiences whose lessons are not without bitter- ness. Every type of statesmen, of political expert, of educator and of culture organization, has expressed in most cordial terms its approval of the purposes of this disarmament conference. In the consideration of these thoughts, we have come to realize more fully what the successful accomplishment of the measures adapted to secure disarmament would mean to the home life of a nation, to realize the severe destruction that is an accompaniment of war which affects not only property but the industrial life of the nations involved and casts its dark shadows on education, art, and science. It is the hope and prayer of every American that each represented nation in the conference, unswayed by selfish ambition or covetous de- sire, should use its separate and united influence to abolish war with its suffering and sorrow and loss. May the world soon see the time when difficulties may reach a settlement not by the confusion and horror of battle, but by an act of that priceless gift which God has given man- his intellect. -Frances A. Ryan, '22