Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1920-11-29
Editorial Observer Says
Counsel and Courage of
America Is Vital Need of
League Assembly.
%SMALL STATES TIMID
ON DELICATE POINTS
General Desire of Minor
Nations to Avoid Posi-
bility of Rupture; u. S.
Could Balance Assembly.
BY MILTON BRoNNER
N. e. A. Staff Correspondent

GENEVA, Switzerland, Nov. Is
This first league assembly has repre-
sentatives from most of the civilized
world; great statesmen, orators. tech
nical advisers, and in fact everything
except what the United States can ex-
clusively give-council of one great
world power which has no entangling
alliances, is not hedged in by neighbor-
ing jealous states and not confronted
by inherited centuries-old racial
hatreds.
An American sitting on the side-
lines here. finds himself constantly
wishing that America were in the
league, represented in the assembly by
our brainiest men, imparting to discus
sions American candor, courage, dis
interestedness and even shirtsleeve
diplomacy.
Small States Timid
Big questions are being considered
by the assembly that vitally effect the
major powers and minor nations, max
ing common cause with them. other
lesser powers naturally are rather
timid in calling a spade a spade. There
IS a general natural desire not only to
avoid giving offense but anything
leading to danger OF rupture in the
assembly.
On many big questions the United
6(AlCS COQAu time Tie DOlQCE SAcR
without giving offense. For instance,
the big future question is going to be
faithful observance Of Article IS OF the
covenant, providing that all treaties
entered into hereafter by league mem
bers shall be forthwith registered with
the secretariat and published. Fur
thermore, no treaty shall be binding
until registered.
This proviso, undoubtedly written in
by Americans, embodies our diplomatic
methods.
America 20 Bar Secrecy
Recently France and Belgium drew
up plans for military measures to mee'
any possible new German aggression
The terms OF this treaty were not reg
istered with the league secretariat. bu
they were embodied in a letter statinl
that the document had been agree'
upon and was purely defensive.
Various assembly speakers hav
skirted delicately around this subject
without specifically mentioning thi
concrete case.
Under our constitution no such thin
as a secret treaty is possible because
after the senate approves, all facts ar
published in full. America, If repre-
sented in the assembly, could therefor
plead that all nations do, under tn
covenant, what we have always volun
tarily done.
Germany Displays Diplomacy
/ am able in this connection, to re
veal some interesting facts Althoug
Germany is not in this league and nj
bound by Article IS, she has neverthe
less cleverly made a point Of register
King with the secretariat all recer
( tyeaties. These include three wit
France about the Versailles treaty, ar
other regarding the port Of Kiel an
another with Sweden regarding II
1911 treaty, two with the Let's cor
cerning reciprocal exchange of prison
ers and resumption of friendly rels
tons. two with Russia regarding II
patriation of prisoners Of war.
Another delicate matter the assen
h1y Is considering is the reduction
armaments. Great European power
with heavy responsibilities in Euror
Asia and Africa, are going slow. Sms
nations particularly Scandinavia
Dutch. Swiss and Czech passionate
desire total disarmament.
Japanese Cynical
The first meeting OF the assembly
commission was addressed by Wellin
ton Koo. head OF the Chinese deleg
tton while the japanese sat cynical
looking on. It was like q hungry IL
iskening while a big fat lamb bleat
that its foes claws and fangs shou
be abolished.
Rut. n the United States were in
league. the American idea for immeC
ate concrete steps looking to eventl
disarmament would command respe
With our man-power, money, rooo
,,at,,raI resources, the assembly wot
l,novv our pacifism came, not from fe
MT from genuine desire TO help
V'~orld now struggling with huge "
taxes and high cost Of living, and
ease off the terrific burden OF keepi
IN armies and navies.