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Show STOP BUILDING AIR CRArT American Legion to Recommend International Inter-national Disarmament Conference Conduct National Referendum. ' An international air disarmament conference to stop the present air construction con-struction race will be recommended by the American Legion, which will conduct con-duct a national referendum to obtain the views of prominent Americans as to the advisability of such a conference. confer-ence. All members of congress, governors of all states, 1,000 editors, 100 college presidents and a number of prominent citizens will be asked by the Legion to express an opinion on the proposal which would involve the holding of a meeting in Washington, similar to the naval disarmament conference, to be attended by representatives of all leading lead-ing world powers for the purpose of reaching some agreement as to the 1 number of fighting and observation planes to be maintained by each. If the opinion of the national leaders lead-ers Is favorable to the Legion's project, proj-ect, President Coolldge will be asked to call an International conference. A necessity for immediate action in the matter of limitation of air armament exists since France took the lead in an air-construction program, and the remaining re-maining European powers have entered en-tered the mad race to overtake the French. France at the present time has 140 squadrons of the military machines ma-chines and plans to have 220 at the end of 1925. England is the nearest competitor, having appropriated $27,500,000 to enlarge en-large her air armada. It has been estimated es-timated that by 1926 England will be able to send aloft only 624 battle machines ma-chines In comparison with France's 1,-530 1,-530 air fighters. Italy and Russia have actively entered the race, the latter planning to have 10,000 planes in operation. op-eration. A statement Issued recently by National Na-tional Commander Alvln Owsley calls attention, to the fact that naval'' and land forces have been reduced by national na-tional agreement and that the Legion proposes to attempt to obtain similar measures governing aircraft. "The crying need of the world today is peace Industrial, commercial, economic eco-nomic peace a restoration from the ravages and horrors of war, a settling down and getting back to the sane pursuits pur-suits of Industry, quietude of heart and mind, to live In safe seclusion away from the covetousness of the Invader," the statement reads. "Can we of the Legion who were their comrades In arms not ask the nations to pause and see what they are doing? Preparedness In a larger sense means a temptation to use that which is being prepared to fight. The wounds of the last titanic trouble are still gaping open ; the life blood of the nations Is still pouring out because of too much preparedness for battle. "I propose to the world preparedness for peace a coming together In a great world conference for the limitation limita-tion of airplanes for war Instead of war to destruction. I challenge the right of any nation to prepare any Instrument Instru-ment of destruction and claim the name of defender of world peace. Peace will come when the people of the world will to have peace and express their will In solemn declaration and covenant sealed with honor. "America Is ready to lead the way to secure peace In the air and she has gone far by example to make war Impossible Im-possible on land and sea." |