Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-11
Does Not Feel Anti-WaT Pact
Concerns National
Protection.
RECEPTION AT GENEVA
SEEN AS LEAGUE TEST
rut Mr. Coolidge Fails to Welcome
Britain's Mo Il Bringing
Treaty % Fore.
TX J. RUSSELL YOUNG.
staE Correspondent OF The Star.

CEDAR ISLAND LODGE. Brule
River. Wis. August 11-FSsident
Coolidge does not look for any reduc-
ton in the Army and Navy of the
United States as a result of the partici-
patton in the proposed Kellogg multi
lateral peace treaty to outlaw war.
He has been davoting careful atten-
ton to separating the national defense
policy Of this country from any en-
taglements with Secretary Kellogg's pro-
posed treaty, According to his interpre-
tation of the provisions Of this peace
proposal. as revealed by him to friends.
its primary aim is to prevent aggres-
sion and attack on the part of sigma
tory nations and therefore cannot con-
Germ ar army and navy of the moderate
size maintained by this country solely
for national defense. Nor can Presi-
dent Coolidge conceive Of any objec-
ton which the League of Nations could
have to its members becoming sigma
tories TO the Kellogg treaty, inasmuch
as the League is, by its own claims, an
instrument of peace. These fundament-
al reactions OF the President were re-
vealed following published accounts of
the move on the part OF Great Britain
to bring the Kellogg international peace
plan to the attention Of the League of
Nations. The President gave the i'm
preston that he did not welcome the
news OF this action on the part of the
British.
Seen as League Test.
The President assumes, however. that
Great Britain's action in referring the
treaty to the League was merely a mat
ter of general interest to all League
members. NevrthelesS this move can
be accepted in the light of tending TO
confront the United States with the
League OF Nations by precipitating a
declaration concerning the kellogg
treaty. In principle, the latter contains
all the peace aspirations claimed for
the League without any of its mechan-
4sin ana entanglementS. Therefore, the
PRESIDENT cannot see how the League
can do anything else but approve of
the kellogg plan
In his rather candid discussion of the
subject, the President was represented
as feeling that many serious-rninded
cltlzenS OF this country have viewed
the League as something else potentially
slan an instrument of peace. and would
regard the Leagues attitude toward the
ineEosg proposal as genuine test of
ltS peaceful nature Moreover. so far
as any objection to the kellogg Dact
Is concerned, IL may be recalled thar the
League has not yet raised voice against
tne scheme and that the initiative of
e sne war outlawry program sprang from
sIte oIaln OF NJ. BRAND, French foreign
munster. motivating figure in tbs
nlgner councils of the League.
Ihen. too, under article 90 ~ tbs
covenant. II the League finds the treaty
inconsistent with its own concaptionS
OF the mechanics of peace, it NAV de..
tlotttlce II and thereby cancel it in 50
!ar as League members are concerned.
Az was eVloent III the representations
made as TO the Presidents attitI,de that
the only purpose he could see in the
apparently premature presentation of
the kellogg pact To the League was TO
interest member nations and the United
states. he has not at present anv
information from the State Deparf-
ment concerning such additional signa-
tories, specifically of Spain and Russia.
although he is understood 10 have been
ADVISED that Secretary kellogg was con-
Sidering additions.
Considers Defense.
Considerably more interest was
focused ON the Presidents reaction re-
gardlng the possible effect upon the
size OF the Army and Navy of the
United States if it participates in the
kellogg pact than in the reference of
the plan 20 the League The fact that
ne regards the treaty as applicable only
neagerly II at all. 10 American national
defense quickly drew comment. in view
of the cherished ideal of ultimate world
peace and also the constant discussion
of disarmament.
1t was explained in the Presidents
behalf that he looks upon the armed
forces of the United States as entirely
4 defense weapon, intended solely for
or this country 1T is moth
ng more than national police force.
according 70 his viewpoint Further
more, because the kellogg treaty IS
a compact against attack, he
argues that IL Is unconcerned with the
defense program OF any Stgnatory ma
ion
1t was made plain by the President
hat IL would be far better 10 see the
peace treaties signed and ratified before
upon any discussion Of hypo-
.hetical conditions. While he antici-
1ateS virtually no reduction oi the
American Army and Navy. even ii the
reaty becomes an accomplished fact,
le holds II futile to discuss such 4
question before the treaty is actually a
living thing President Coolidge was
represented as seeing no reason az this
ime 90 display any interest in the
OF a naval agreement
setween Great Britain and France
Wonders OF The puluth-Superior
Iarhor, through which passes the Sec
lnd largest tonnage of any port IN the
ountry. viii be uniolded to President
coolidge during boat trip around the
larhor IL the present plans uI the
superior public affairs committee work
nut The President tentatively ae-
epted the invitation to make such
rip when 1t was presented to him YES
erday during his semi-weeNly vtSit to
he Snnmer eNNcntiNN Otflrr