Evening star., 1928-05-26
EUROPE STIRRED
BY BRITISH REPLY
Answer to American Pact
Proposal Seen as Attack
on Monroe Doctrine.
Ry PAUL SCOTT MowRER.


By Cable to The Star and Chicago Daily
News. Copyright. 1928
PARIS, May 26.-The British reply
to the American proposal for the out
lawry of war has caused nothing less
than a sensation in European diplo-
matte circles A formidable new issue
seems to have been injected into the
already complicated negotiations.
The pact must not apply, says the
British note, TO regions of the world
"the welfare and integrity Of which
constitute a special and vital interest
for our peace and safety" This is
widely interpreted as nothing less than
an invitation to the great powers to
divide a large part of the world into
special spheres of interest, from which
each would exclude political action by
all the others and in which each would
exercise sole police surveillance and the
right of Intervention.
Others Could Do Likewise.
The United States, the British note
implies. already has such q special
sphere Of interest in Central America.
But il Great Britain and the United
States claim special spheres OF interest
there is obviously no reason why others
should not do likewise. japan coulo
and probably will claim Manchuria.
Germany might claim the Baltic
states. Italy could and does claim the
Adriatic areas and France could claim
certain Mediterranean areas.
European statesmen are particularly
struck by the fact that the new Cham
berlain doctrine" does not even specify
the regions in which Great Britain
claims special interests. Theoretically
the whole world might be meant.
Some observers, for example William
Martin. foreign editor Of the Journal
de Geneve. believe that Great Britain
has raised this vast issue with the de-
sign of wrecking the American pro-
posal.
Sees an Attack on Doctrine.
1t may be that it is the intention OF
the British to drop the whole issue on
condition that America promise not TO
permit a reservation regarding the
Monroe doctrine when the treaty comes
before the Senate for ratification. In
any case Great Britain's action appears
to be one of the shrewdest offensiVes
dS11tASt t11C 04OAAOC A1~sAAAS ~'~~ -
tempted.
II Is now believed that both Great
Britain and Japan in negotiating new
treaties with the United States VIII
similarly try to reserve, respectively,
Manchuria and regions having spe-
cial and vital interest for the British
empire" In any case the whole al
fair has progressed so far that an IN
ternational conference appears neces-
sary. This conference. If held, will un-
doubtedly be held in Washington.
Meanwhile. excepting Japan, all of
the FIVE big powers 70 whom the orig
inal American proposal was addressed
have replied and several other powers
have also stated their views. While
there is a good deal OF suspicion re-
garding Americas motives and gen
eral desire not to let the new pact ruin
the League of Nations peace schemes,
there is also a general feeling that adop.
ton of the pact would beneflt every
one by drawing the United States out
OF its isolation.
Proposed Simple Pact.
The United States proposed a simple
pact outlawing war without reserva-
tions. italy made q guarded and nom
commital answer. Germany accepted
almost enthusiastically. France, where
suspicion is particularly lively. insists
on several reservations tending TO make
the pact q universal safeguard OF all
existing treaties.
Secretary Kellogg In q speech ae-
cepted the French reservations in prin-
ciple, but insisted there was no need TO
insert them In the text.
Then came Great Britaln'S long-ex-
pected reply. the aim OF which Is ap-
parently to find a middle ground he
tween France and the United States.
The British note suggests that the
United States text as interpreted by
Secretary Kellogg Is sufficient except
that II should be clearly understood
that all signatorieS regain freedom OF
action In case one breaks the pact and
that there should be q clause specify
Ing that the pact I'm no wav infringeS
ON existing treaty obligations.
Japan's reply is now awaited GU
riously.