Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-17
Signing the Treaties.

Secretary Kellogg is 10 sail tonight
for Europe. where with the foreign
ministers Of the other great powers he
will sign the mulniateral treaty re-
nouncing wsr The signing of this
treaty will be hailed as a great step
toward better relations among the ma
lions. The powers involved pledge
themselves not to resort to war in set
tlement of difficulties which may arise
among them. The fact that they are
willing 10 give such pledge is in It
self an indication Of will to have
peace which has unfortunately been
absent in the past
The treaty. which had its inception
IN . proposal made by France to the
United States that these two nations,
traditional friends, enter into an agree
uent to renounce war as between them
selves. is TO be signed by representa-
tIves Of fifteen countries. including i'll
the list the great divisions of the Brit
ism Empire France. Germany, Italy,
Japan and the other nations signatory
to the Locarno treaties will subscribe.
The United States suggested, when NJ.
Brands proposal for bilateral treaty
renouncing war was presented to Sec
rotary kellogg a little more than a year
$50, that it would be well to have other
great nations sign the same treaty and
this plan has finally prevailed,
After all. the very simplicity of the
articles Of the treaty is its strength.
1t does not undertake to define agrees
siye or defensive warfare, or to limit
In any way the language and inten-
ton of the treaty. It simply denounce5
and renounces var as means Of settling
disputes among nations. There is Moth
ing in the treaty that would prevent
one Of the signatories from defending
Itself IL attacked by one Of the other
powers. AS has been so ably pointed
out By Secretary Kellogg in his cor
respondsnce with those governments
which have agreed to sign the treaty.
eeif-defense is the inherent right q.
any nation To seek to interiect into
the treaty renouncing war any declara-
ton that a war of self defense was
justihable would be merely stating
proposition that the new treaty in no
way attacks.
The treaty. after it has been signed
In Paris on August 81. must be ratified
By the nations in accordance with their
constitutional provisions before IL be-
comes actually effective. Therefore, 1t
must have the approval of two-thirds
or more Of the Senate of the United
States. Here and there already signs
Of coming opposition TO the ratification
Of the treaty have cropped up. II
comes from those who believe, perhaps.
IN war as an ancient institution. II
comes from others who look askance at
any step which they may interpret as
3oinsrg the United States with Euro
pean affairs.
But the rev treaty is in no sense
league of nations. No supergovernme1t
y AflFL4bE2s ~ ~ . f%AN~N~~~~E
declaration to abstain from war as
means of settling international dis
putes. There is no power other than
that Of public opinion and the good
faith Of the individual states involved
TO enforce the terms Of the treaty. The
treaty does not make war impossible.
II makes 1t more improbable. Il is
great step in the moral ascendency OF
the world.
President Coolidge e giving the
treaty his approval and Will seek 70
convince the American people and the
Senate Of it, value The ratification o.
the pact al the coming session Of Con-
gresz. the lest session during his ad-
n1insstration. would be regarded az
GROWING achievement Of his term G.
Office as Chief Executive.