Evening star., 1922-03-06

pies is hereafter to be freely and
without censure fouted, IL, In short,
nations may not trust one another.
then, l say to you. the world In lost.
Because the alternative to life under
free, common understanding, with
mutual trust and forbearance, in an
association of recognized. uncon-
strained peers. 10 domination by one
or by few under such a rule of brute
force as will plunge the world into
chaos and threaten humanity with
Oblivion. No; We may not cast aside
these treaties as mere idle words un-
der penalty Of being overwhelmed by
the outburst of righteous condemna-
ton from all the peoples of the
world"
of the Washington conference and
treaties emanating from 1t with the
great design" attempted in the
days of Elizabeth of England and
Henry w of France, the holy alli-
ance. and finally. with the Versailles
great design. he said. and other
similar effects failed because they
aimed at coercing the consciences OF
men. at the torcible spoliation of ma
tions, at the creation of an artificial
status among the peoples of the
earth, at the GIirsa.!-cent particularly
Of one great power without its con-
sent.
Sees Future Advance.
Butts it too much to hope" said
Senator New. that hei eafter and out
of our present efforts, enlightened
and fortified as they may be by the
experience of the past, we may find
it possible in a future not too remote
to make further practical advance
toward a further association of the
nations as to matters beneficeTt to
humanity:
: we covet the possessions of no one
in the far east: the lessons taught us
by our own past experiences. as also
by the experiences of others, abun-
dainty persuade us We want no further
or greater territorial or government
responsibilities, there: We wish only the
opportunity to develop in that region
our trade and commerce peacefully and
on an equality with others. and with
them to share the great markets which
in the future that part OF the world
will afford.
Entertaining these views, is there.
can there be, any reason why we should
rot make declaration. an engagement,
to respect the territories of others in
the far east and. thus quiet in the
minds of certain powers an apprehen-
sion the existence of which seems too
we'll vouched to allow us wisely to
ignore it?
Commenting upon that provision of
the four-power treaty which says that
in case of trouble the contracting
powers shall communicate freely. .'in
order to arrive at an understanding
as TO the most efficient measures to
be taken, Jointly or separately, to
meet the eXigencies of the situation"
Senator New said:
Nations Not, Committed.
Il may first observe again that the
situation about which the powers are
to communicate is one in which they
are all concerned. In the next place
the powers concerned. and only those
powers, consult together. In the
third place. they consult regarding
the measures" to be taken Jointly or
severally, to meet the exigencies of
the situation. But they are not COM
mitted beforehand-and this is the
vital point-to any definite measures,
nor are they either committed or
under any obligation to concert any
measures at all. That is TO say il
and when a prescribed aggressive
action were taken by any stranger
power, the United States felt that its
pardy or that threat to the other
powers was not real or that the peace
of the. world and the welfare of its
peoples would be best served by in
action there Is no obligation here that
we should counsel, consent to or
participate in the measures which any
other power might propose as neces-
sary. In other words. there is here
not the slightest surrender of our
independence of action; we have here
no impairment Of our sovereignty
Under these circumstances it is
obvious that if at any time in the
future circumstances should arise
that led to the invoking by any
power or powers of provisions of
tEiS article, we should communicate
with the other powers parties to this
agreement. in full possession of a
complete freedom of action, uncon-
strained by any treaty obligation.
legal or moral, to take any measures
at all. or believing some measures
necessary. to. adopt any which we did
not at the time deem. eXpedient anu
Indispensable. We should enter and
participate. in such a conference un-
committed and with full and COM
gency then before us in strict. ac-
cordance with our due constitutional al
order. So that if the exigencieS of
the situation finally appeared to
require the use of armed force we
might face the question uncompro-
missed, free, and unfettered to do the
thing. that then seemed wisest and
best, for there is not in this treaty,
nor arising from it. any obligation
whatever to prooeed. to this extremity
unless and until Congress-, in the due
exercise Of the. high constitutional,
sovereign 7prerogative., had fully de-
bated' the situation, reaciied its de-
oision and formally authorized the
waging of war Is this not the crux
Of the whole mRtter, and does it not