New-York tribune., 1921-12-17

such that without any treaty a moral
obligation to participate would be evi~
dent.
In brief, whatever moral obligation
there might be would not rest upon the
treaty, hut upon the particular situ-
alton wholly independent of the treaty
1t is of the highest Importance that
now, before ratification, this question
should be placed beyond all doubt or
future controversy. This treaty is not
to be construed rs implying an under
standing even of a moral kind to en-
gage In war with any power for any
cause. If any signatory of this treaty
regards the powers as morally pledged
to war this should be asserted by it
now, or this Interpretation should be
hereafter debarred.
Act of Congress Needed
This treaty is a compact to provide
for procedure by mutual understand
ing: 1t is not pledge of any definite
action, but an agreement to seek a
peaceful solution in any situation that
may arise. There is no obligation to
apply amy measures unless they are
agreed to at the time when they are
to be applied. Joint action is in no
case obligatory. Separate action is
distinctly provided for, which signifies
that each power may take the course
1T decides to take in each particular
situation, and the steps it can take may
vary according to the constitutional
limitations OF the different powers.
In the case Of the United States, it
is well understood, war cannot be
undertaken except by an act of Con-
gress; and it would. therefore, be
false Interpretation Of this treaty to
pretend that it can be intended to
pledge military aid in any circum-
stances whatever. If it has that cf-
feet as between the other powers,
which it is distinctly declared not to
nave IN any case, it cannot be pre-
tended that there can be q moral obi
CATION on the part of any Executive to
violate the Constitution of the United
States
without committing the United
states to war, this treaty pledges all
slgnatories under Article | to resnect
the rights of the United States, and.
IN case of any controversy in which
those rights are in dispute not to re-
sort to arms without an effort to ad-
just the difference in joint confer
ence OF the four powers signatory to
the treaty where the United States
would be represented.
Not Even an Entente
The obligation is undertaken, reci
procally, to respect the rights of the
other sigl,atories in like manner, but
only IN each case so far as they relate
to "insular possessions or insular do
mlnions in the Pacific Ocean ANY
or all of the four powers might be
engaged in war with other powers, o..
with one another, beyond these defined
limits, without bringing into operation
any provision of this treaty.
1T is, therefore, not in any sense ali
alliance; it is not even An entente, ex-
cept in the sense Of general friendli-
ness. beyond the circumscribed area
to which its terms apply. What gives
1t great value is that it shows locally
and concretely what might be done in
broader reld if the nsties.s were in
agreement
The really vital questions connected
WIN fhe negotiations now proceeding
az Washington are not involved in the |
terms Of this treaty, excent as it
covers the nature and extent of the |
rights Of the United States and other
powers in the Pacific Ocean. what !
these are 1t does not define. They will |
be just what the status quo shows that I
they, are when the negotiations are
conciuaeo, and we therefore await
that indication with the dseneat in
ters5t.