Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-06
The Wsr-0utlawry Pacts.


The status Of the "war-outlawry'
treaties, under which ii is proposed that
at first the principal world powers and
eventually all civilized nations shall for
r,anv abandon warfare as a means OF
furthering their respective international
policies. has passed from theoretic
discussion between several foreign Offices
as 10 the practically Of the project 10
q definite submission Of concrete
treaty to fourteen nations with re-
Quest acr action as prompt as may be
found consistent with the importance of
the proposed pacts. The success OF
Secretary Kellogg in his determination
to achieve this change as rapidly as
might be has been notable one.
When his plan was first promulgated
IN the course of certain conversations
with the French foreign minister rela-
tive to that dignitary's proposal OF
hiIateral war-outlawry pact between
France and the United States there were
many, both IN this country and abroad,
who tended casually to refer to the
project as a visionary impractical. in
effectual gesture-a mere declaration Of
platitudinous theories. Against the put
ting into practice OF those theories, said
the critics of Mr.. Kelloggs program,
stood certain definite European COM
mitments, certain American predilec-
tons for superb isolation from the prob
lens of Europe. certain worldwide and
age-oId habits of thought and practice
which could never be surmounted. AS
a euphernistic and empty expression
of international amity for so long as
amity proved mutually advantageous,
the thing might be done. said they. But
as a solemn engagement to do away
with warfare? All. no! Altogether too
long a stride forward to be expected OF
your practical statesmen.
If Secretary Kellogg noticed these
comments. he gave no sign thereof AT
the proper time. and it proved to be IN
extraordinarily short order, the French
American conversations were trans
rnitted with tentative drafts OF a multi
lateral treaty to the foreign offices OF
England, Italy, Germany and Japan.
Came their replies-all favorable. A
few weeks of consideration of the vari-
Gus amendments proposed, the inclusion
In the preamble Of the French land,
previously, The Stars proposal that
should any signatory power seek to pro-
mote its national interest by resort to
war ii should be denied the benefits
furnished by the treaty, and the final
drafts were ready and on their way.
The mere collection of platitudinous
theories" had undergone an amazing
alteration. The fundamental stumbling
blocks of European and American poll
cies had proven mythical. The solemn
engagement to do away with warfare"
had taken definite form. inviting yes"
or no" answer from fifteen nations Of
the world.
For that is what Secretary Kelioggs
imposed treaty individually is. Under
I'll the si9Yiatories condemn recourse %
vsrs and s.renounce 1t as an instrument
Of national policy in their relations With
one another" and under il they agree
that .tae settlement and solution OF all
disputes or conflicts Of whatever nature
or whatever origin they may be, which
may arise among them, shall never oe
sought except by pacific means"
II Is needless TO say that the treaties
do not of themselves write "fns" 10
warfare. Nations have hitherto broken
their solennly undertaken engagements
ard nations may do so again. But IN
t.s nEedgfng OF the world powers 70
nesce; in the tremendous influence that
pIease should exert upon the public
sentiment Of the nations involved ana
the armament problems Of the future
the significance Of what Mr.. Kellogg S
treaties Will. when ratified. mean To the
world is tremendous. 1t Is doubtful II
that significance is, even AZ yet gen
orally sppreciated. Yet 50 expeditiousiy
nas the whole program moved forward
that It Is happily practicable that even
that appreciation viii not be mucn
longer delayed.