Evening star., 1921-01-16
KEY IS REVEALED
TO FOREIGN POLICY
Hughes Utterances on
League Show Likely Attitude
of New Administration.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

n1 DAVID LA" nENCEs
The practical certainty that Charles
Evans Hughes will be Secretary Of
State in the Harding cabinet has led
some members of the Senate in tho last
few days to take retrospective glance
at the views of the former associate
litical questions, but his utterances
on foreign policy. which during the
campaign had passing value. but
which now will become the basis of
American action after March 4.
ut should be0remembered," wrote
great protection against war for
considerable period of years will be
found not in any form Of words that
may now be adopted. however desira-
BILE these may be. but in economic con-
ditions which are an assurance that
for considerable time. at least, we
shall not have a recurrence of world
strife. =
The danger now lies" he added.
mot in the menace of force employed
to further imperial designs. but in the
disorder due to a breakup and the
the tendency to revolution within
states. In making commitments it
should be remembered that while it is
highly important that at this time we
should do everything that is practica-
BILE to promote peace and to secure
stable canditions. we should be eau
tious in making promises which are
to be redeemed in unknown contin-
gencies."
Some of the main points in Mr..
Hughes criticism Of the present
covenant Of the league OF nations are
as follows: 4
l. omitting the guaranty an ar
ticle x.
2. Suitable limitation as to the
field Of the leagues inquiries and ac-
tion so as to leave no doubt that the
internal concerns of states. such as
embraced.
3. Provision that no foreign power
shall acquire by conqcest, purchase
or in any other way. any possession
on the American continent or the
islads adjacent thereto.
4. Provision that the settlement of
purely American questions shall be
RENTED primarily to the American
nations. and that European nations
shall not intervene unless requested
to do 80 by the American nations.
5. Provision that no member of the
league shall be constituted a manda-
tory without its consent and no Eu-
ropean or ASiatic power shall be con-
stituted mandatory Of any American
people.
s. Explicit provision that unani-
nous agreement or decision is re-
quired.
z. Provision that any member of
the league may withdraw at its pleas
ure on a specified notice.
Guarantee a Trouble Breeder.
Speaking particularly Of article X.
Mr.. Hughes said he regarded the
breeder and not peacemaker." He
declared that he believed it ito be
unnecessary and unwise," and that
there is little ground to suppose that
1t Will prevent w2r-on the contrary,
it is likely to prove illusory and to
INJURY and injustice on the part of
those who are led to place conf.
dence in it,
Here is the paragraph. however.
which makes it possible for Mr.
paign view on the league issue and
his .Qwn early inclinations toward
modihcation Of the present covenant
Il think that It is 4 fallacy to sup
future will be assured by the at
tempted compulsion Of an infiexible
rule. Rather will such co-operation
depend upon the fostering Of Arm
friendships. springinS from an appre.
clation OF community Of ideals. in
ships are more likely to be pro-
NOTED by freedom Of conference than
by the effort to create hard and fast
engagements"
Leaves United States q Free Hand.
The foregoing is sufficiently broad
to permit Mr.. Hughes to decide even
tually that freedom of conferences
without obligation or Commitment
can be obtained by 50 modifying the
covenant as to leave America a free
hand In everything yet permitting
her to sit as a member Of an orpani.
zation which is already in operation:
or 1t may permit Mr.. Hughes to ask
other nations in the league to ioin a
new association which has much less
speeihc powers than the present
league and one that. is patterned
after The Hague conferences.
Copyright, 1921