Evening star., 1927-06-02
BACKGROUND OF EVENTS
BY PAUL Y. COLLINS.

tain circumstances. This f. perhaps
the most diflcult problem left US in
the development OF international JUS
tice. The draft treaty has been pre-
pared with an eye 10 It's possible ap-
plication as between civilized powers
equal in sovereignty and capable OF
insuring respect for law and treaty
obligations. II it were to be made q
precedent for universal application.
some further consideration would
have to be given TO this problem"
Yes. some.
What authority is TO decide where
is the dividing line between civilized"
and ''unciyilized" nations? Is the
treaty a model for use with Soviet
Russia, while the Soviets are actively
plotting the destruction OF all organ
lied governments? What is "civiiiza-
tion?" Russia has her cultured
classes, her institutions OF art and
learning. The "unspeakable Turk
claims to be civilized" and by our
surrender OF the safeguard Of our na-
tionals in Turkey. given by extra
territoriality courts. have we not. con-
ceded its claims? How about Persia?
The Imbrie assassination throws some
light there, but Persia compensated
for the crime when our warships APP
peal ca IA lI4E A-&AAAA AZ"
offend Persia by taunt that she il
yet unciyilized and without the pale?
There is Africa ana its poor be-
nighted eathen"-first-rats fightin'
men.
Indeed the twilight zone between
civilized and uncivilized nations is as
confusing as the twilight slumber."
Az - T. =. a 3 ss,..,S,,,,,,5 e. att.
model Columbia College treaty" for
wars of defense are excetted. And
what war has the United States ever
fought which was not a war Of defense
of its rights and OF justice TO the op-
pressed? The great World War-was
it not a war Of defense OF invaded Bel
gium and France: yes. OF Great Brit
ain and the United States? Defense
of home and civilized government and
liberty When has the United States
ever held war as an instrument OF
policy? What does that expression
mean, outside OF the Kalser's destroy
ed realm? Must a new and formal
treaty be executed to reassert our
civilization?
AS we'll call for honest Desdemona
to reiterate eternally her claims OF
fidelity to Othello.
+ 4 y
The proposed treaty provides:
Article 4. Recognizing the impor-
tance of accepted rules of law in the
preservation of peace, the high con-
tracing parties agree that they VIII
undertake to further a progressive
codiflcation Of international law, based
upon the remuneration of war as an
instrument Of policy as set forth in
this treaty."
In the absence of fixed rules of in
ternational law, In the meantime. the
high contracting parties will be ruled
by the arbitrators, regardless of law,
only one of the five being an Anneri-
can, the others being Europeans or
Asiatics or Africans. Four of the ar
bitrators must belong to foreign"
nations which owe Uncle Shylock
more or less debts, therefore antago.
nistic to US, each nursing the identical
grievances.
For example, the United States
may adopt a law of immigration re-
striction, which bars Chinese and
Japanese, and limits immigrants from
certain European races. 4 diplo-
matte protest Is fled by the ag-
grieved which, under the proposed
treaty, must be referred to arbitra-
ton. The complaining nation ap-
points two arbitratorS. only one of
whOm can De or Its own nationality,
but the other may belong to another
nation also aggrieved. The United
States appoints two, one being Amer
lean and the other of some nation
which owes us debt. What nation
does not? What creditor is loved by
his debtor?
These four-only one being Ameri-
can-must select fffth--another
non-American. When the four nom
Americans render decision that our
restriction law is unfair to the rest
of the world, down come the bars and
in come the millions from Europe
and Asia. What are We going to do
about it? International law gives no
protection in such a case.
The strange part of it all IS that
our present treaty, expiring in 1928,
with Minister Brands country. al
ready gives France exactly those
terms, except as to the Monroe Doc
trine, and 1t has done so since 1914. .
But how about other "civilized" ma
tions? Who is promoting this pro-
posed extension of arbitration sur
rendering our Monroe Doctrine?
tcopyrizht. 1927. by Paul v. Collins1