Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-21

Next Monday, In Paris. the gates OF
Janus will be closed TO all the civilized
world--the most remarkable event in
diplomacy since the beginning OF ma
tons. Fifteen leading powers viii there
meet to sign a solemn agreement that
hereafter war shall not be a recognized
part of the policies of nations, but that
all matters of difference between gov
ernments and peoples shall be adjusted
by other means.
Cynics there are who scorn this
"rentlemen's agreement" and declare
that 1t cannot be enforced, There are
enthusiasts who imagine that immedi-
ately upon the signing of the pact the
spirit OF man will be changed SO that
there can be no further use for navies
and armies, hence there should be an
immediate disarmament OF the world
They challenge the governments to show
their sincerity by ceasing to maintain
national defense against attack. whether
from outlawed piratical nations or from
lawless brigands who defy governments.
Neither President Coolidge nor Secretary
Of State Kellogg has ever subscribed to
either of those unfounded assumptions
of pessimists or optimists. But that in
no sense belittles the great Importance
OF the multilateral treaty OF universal
peace. Nor does 1t affect the mainte-
nance of our Monroe Doctrine, for that
doctrine is a fundamental OF the defense
Of the Western Hemisphere in general
and the United States in particular
The treaty does not forbid national de-
tense, but diplomacy knows many meth
DDS of defense against attack short OF
war. Away back in the days OF Cicero
there came a proverb, THE defense OF a
just cause Is easy"
In the 10000 years of history or ira
dition there has never before been so
momentous an agreement for ostracizing
war. as will be consumlnated next Mon
day. We of the living generation cam
not comprehend its fun significance as
will our descendants 1000 years hence
Hitherto might made right in the poll
cies Of governments. for any statesman
could find sophistry or casulstry sum-
Gent to Justify aggression on the weaker
nations The League of Nations merely
bound It's members to unite In making
war upon nation which was so wicked
as to make war without It's consent.
| direction and forbid war as the agrees
! sive policy Of any MISUNDERSTANDING the
| members of the League of Nations. All
| recognized governments will then be in
| vited to Join with the II !charter mem
| bers" of the peace treaty The enforce
| ment OF the treaty will be with the
| world spirit and passion for peace. Per-
sonal duelS today are not usually pre-
| vented by the billy OF the police ana
| arrest OF the fighters, but they are made
| impossible by the universal sentiment
that dueling is willf,ii murder, and he
who commits 1t is inexcusably vicious
UNIT for decent society. Similar pres
sure will now prevent nations from
"dueling" for self-aggFandi2ement.
II II 4
There have been many previous at
tempts To abolish war, but never any
which could be compared with the pres
ent agreement.
There was the famous PAX Romano,
noted In the history Of the Roman em-
pire but 1t never extended beyond ttt
Roman conquered countries bordering
on the Mediterranean, and was seldom
effective even there, though 1t was oe-
creed by the authority of the empire.
Following the death Of Charlemagne
the papal power was invoked to enforce
peace through what was known as
Gods truce" The effort began II
southern France. about the year loOt
AID. and was encouraged by Henry
III, who decreed that from "Wednesday
evening TO Monday morning, every week
there should be peace-~ilo murders MOI
acts of violence. under penalty OF nnes
Punishment and accommodation. FRO
lection was thus given particularly tt
women, pilgrims, priests and farmers
The very fact OF such peace maj
Gated the general state OF anarchy,
China built It's great wall To aver
invasions and wars. To-day such wal
would not stop an army single daA
from sWarming over 1t, or blasting
path through the obstruction.
Wars are not prevented by 0bstrnc'
ton nor by force. There have been 81
major wars whiting the decade since
the founding OF the League OF Nations
10 stop war by force. ..-..-.....-....v..