Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-06-23


Department of State has taken two
epoclal steps within the past "a hours
toward peace on earth, one applying TO
all men of good will and the nations
they represent, the other limited TO the
81 nations of the Western Hemisphere.
Never in the history OF civilization
has the will for peace been so mani
fest as in the craftsmanship now doml-
nant In the efforts OF the nations
of the whole world, and -enlinently
through the initiative and leadership
of the State Department OF the United
States, TO discard violence IN setting
international differences. The most
striking feature of the tendency Is that
IL is absolutely apart from the chronic
pacifist's idea of first destroying means
of self-defense by abolishing armies and
navies necessary to assure the peace that
pasSeth the understanding OF Savagery.
The KEYNOTE of the movement Is the
abolition of war as legitimate method
of asserting national contentious OF
policy. But that does not in the slight
est degree modify the right of nations
to seif-defense.
\ ~ X
This week, the elimination of the eff
forts of Secretary Kellogg To achiefe a
multilateral treaty acceptable to the
great powers, first, and also to all other
powers and nations whereby all would
agree to discard war as national poll
CIV in settlement of international differ
ences. became so tangible that the per-
fected treaty. was cabled to IA nations,
which had signified agreement to its
vital provisions, and they were invited
to sign on the dotted line.
In some cases the acceptances had
been coupled with reservations, but IT
is believed that these reservations viii
not prove insurmountable obstacles TO
the essential agreement. The fact that
Is leading nations OF the world VIII now
agree that war shall no longer be con-
sidered the means of sustaining diplo-
macy is Of such tremendous Importance
that details Of minor reservations cease
to be serious. Even the fighting Balkans
are eager TO accept the treaty.
" v y
Objections are raised by the public
that no adequate means have been
described as TO how such Worldwide
treaty is to be enforced. It is provided
that in case any signatory violates 1t,
by warning upon another signatory, all
shall be released from their obliga-
tions. What then will follow? Ostra-
cism of the provoker OF discarded war
will be no small penalty, but ostracism
will not end in mere verbal Manifesto
ton OF disapproval No nation Whlch
finds itself cut off from the supplies
and respect of the rest OF the Woflo
can hope to prosper. Ostraeism Is not
mere Tut! Tut" slap on the wrist
1t is a moose around the neck OF the
offender, unacceptable, for 1t is a world
denunciation of violator OF the worio
agreement.
Undoubtedly q clearer understanding
of the proposed method or enforcing
the worldwide "multilateral treaty
abolishing war as a national policy
may be discerned In the tangible pro-
visions In the Pan American rapproche-
ment, indicated IN the call made by
the Secretary OF State for conference
Of all the nations of this hemisphere,
to be held In Washington, next De-
ccmber 10. This conference Is the
| outcome Of resolution adopted at inc
sixth Pan-American conference, nelu
last February, In Cuba, attended by
President Coolidge and former Secre"
| tary OF State Hughes,
That resolution Is as follows:
The sixth international conference
of American States. considering.
THAT the American nations should
always be inspired In solid co-opera"
ton for justice and the general good
THAT nothing Is so opposed to this
cooperation as the use of violence.
THAT there Is no international con-
| troversy, however serious 1t may be,
which cannot be peacefully arranged
| If the parties desire In reality to arrive
at a pacific settlement:
THAT war OF aggression constitutes
an international crime against the
human species;
| 1T resolves: ..
II. All aggression is considered Illicit
and as such Is declared prohibited,
-. The American States will employ
all pacific means to settle conflicts
which may arise between them,
"EehguAyy 10. le20As ......-....--....s.