Question of Control.

Every attempt at international disarmament must break down on the
question of control, which is absolutely impracticable. A classic
example of that is afforded by Prussia when overthrown by Napoleon.
Her army was to be limited to 45,000 men, but her patriotism,
notwithstanding the most ruthless application of every means of
control, managed to raise an army four times as large. The question
of disarmament is insoluble so long as men are men and States are
States.

In the course of the debate reference has been made to the recent
utterances of the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in
the House of Commons on the disarmament question. The English
Minister gave expression to the idea that a reciprocal exchange of
information concerning the naval construction of both countries
would insure them against surprises, and that thereby both
countries would be convinced that they were not trying mutually to
outstrip each other, while other powers would thereby be kept
informed regarding the relations of Germany and England, and so the
exchange of announcements would, on the whole, serve to promote
peace.

We were all the more able to adhere to this idea as our naval
building programme has always lain open. We have already declared
our readiness to come to an understanding on this point with
England, in the hope that it may bring about a desired appeasement.

World-embracing international arbitration treaties dictated by an
international areopagus I consider just as impossible as general
international disarmament. Germany takes up no hostile position
toward arbitration. In all the new German treaties of commerce
there are arbitration clauses. In the main it was due to Germany's
initiative that an agreement was arrived at at the second Hague
conference for the establishment of an International Prize Court.

Arbitration treaties can certainly contribute in a great measure to
maintain and fortify peaceful relations. But strength must depend
on readiness for war. The dictum still holds good that the weak
becomes the prey of the strong. If a nation can not or will not
spend enough on her defensive forces for her to be able to make her
way in the world, then she falls back into the second rank.

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