The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-01
BAN ON MONROE
DOCTRINE SURE
China Feared Japan Would
Take Advantage of Her.
Battle on Article X Continued
Over One Year.
NATIONS FEAR TO DISARM
Representatives at Geneva Al
most Unanimous on Question.
Only Small States Favor Limit
ing Armament Costs.

Geneva, Oct. 1.-The amendments
committee reported to the league as
sembly today recommending that nc
change be made in Article 21 of the
league covenant dealing with the
Monroe doctrine.
China had been making every pos
sible effort to put limits to the Mon
roe doctrine and thus prevent the
league from recognizing Japan's posi-
ton in China.
China feared Japan would set up
the claim to Monroe doctrine rights
in the Far East on the basis of exist
ing treaties and agreements.
Canada Leads Fight.
The amendments committee post
poned action on Article 10, pledging
members of the league to guarantee
the existing boundaries of the mem
ber states. Canada has been making
a strong fight to have Article 10
eliminated from the covenant and the
Canadians opposed the suggestion
that an interpretative resolution be
adopted to explain the article in ques-
ton.
DR.. Urrutik, of Colombia, suggested
that further discussions be adjourned
until next year. c. J. Doherty, head
of the Canadian delegation. asked
time to consider the matter.
The text of Article 81 follows:
Nothing in this covenant shall be
deemed to affect the validity of inter-
national agreements such as treaties
of arbitration or regional understand
ings like the Monroe Doctrine, for Sc
curing the maintenance of peace"
The text of hotly disputed Article
10 says:
"The members of the league under
take to repect and preserve as against
external aggression the territorial in
tegrity and existing political independ-
ence of all members of the league. In
case of any such aggression or in case
of any threat or danger of such aggres-
sion the council shall advise upon the
means by which this obligation shall
be fulfilled"
Object to Disarmament.
A canvass today of the delegations
attending the League of Nations meet
ing revealed decided opposition on the
part of the power to limiting their eX-
penditures on armaments at this time.
Only a handful OF small and Lnim-
portant states are ready to begin ac-
tual disarmament thru limitation of
expenditures on @their armies and
navieS.
The present attitude represented
an actual forecast of the position they
will take when the Washington con-
ference on Limitation of armaments
opens next month.
The league assembly today voted to
create a special disarmament section
of the League of Nations, headed by
the second undersecretary general.
This will increase the league disarma-
ment budget.
The canvass of the delegates was
based upon the disarmament commit
tees resolution that the various ma
tions limit their military and naval
expenditures in 1929 and 1928 to the
amount spent in 1921. This resolution
is expected to be adopted by the league
assembly before it adjourns, but from
present indications, it will be fruitless
of result.
Washington Proper Place.
Representative spokesmen of the
japanese, British and French delega-
ton intimated plainly their govern
ments will not agree to carry out the
resolution. Delegates of the big pow
ers all mentioned the Washington con-
ference. indicating that the Washing
ton meeting, rather than the League
of Nations, is the proper medium thru
which to initiate worldwide move
for the Limitation of war-like expendi-
lures and fighting machinery.
The excuse offered by the Polish
ana Rumanlan delegates was DOtn
countries are menaced by soviet Rus
sia.
Only Bulgaria. among the Balkan
states, is likely to accept the resolution
without any condition. The other
Balkan countries pleaded their ina
bility to do so on account of the un-
rest in that quarter of Europe. The
Serbians specially pointed to the hos
tilities now in progress between the
Serbian and Albanian soldiery.
Delegates representing Esthonia,
Iatvia and Siam said they Were certain
their governments would accept, as
they were strongly in favor of dis
armament as a guarantee of future
peace. Esthonid and Latvia were ad-
mitted to the league only about a week
ago.
Delegates of South American states
said they could not forecast the answer
of their governments.