New Britain herald., 1929-07-25
THE, TORCH-LlGH1 OF
 \ NEW ERA


 NEW ERA
 The impressive ceremony Tn Nash- ;ngton coincident with promulga- lion of the Kellogg pact was scarcely second in importance 10 the slShlhs of the instrument by representatives of Is nations in Paris in August, 1928. From that moment until no" the pact, though signed, in theory was not operative, it's terms requlr- ing the parchment evidences Of US ratification bS the parliaments ot the various nations to be deposited in Washington. From all corners ol the earth the documents nave accumulated, and when the other day. the Japanese ambassador tend cred the sealed state paper to the American government, the promulGa- tion ceremony was ready 10 take place. It was an event as devoid Of pageantry as the object of the treaty is devoid of war,
 Yet the treaty is solely one to con- solidate the public opinion Of man. kind against violator of it's inhibi- tons. Nothing in the treaty restricts the right of self-defense-a right in herent in every sovereign state and one which is invariably claimed to justify an appeal to force; and every nation is left to be the lone judge of the circumstances demanding q war of self-defense." The world will ap- plaud, rather than condemn it's ac- ton. if the nation has good cause was the substance of the covering note of Secretary Kellogg during the interchange of views and interprcta- tions when the treaty was being dis cusscd. Furthermore, there is no stipulation in the treaty 10 dlsarm, no direct reference to arbitration, and no reservations as to the nature of disputes.
 In this pact without sanctions signatory that violates it's terms faces nothing except the moral con- demnation of the others. According to the treaty:
 q" any signatory pow
 CT which shall hereafter seek to
 promote its national interests by
 resort to war should he denied
 the benefits furnished by this treaty."
 This manifestly is a very flexible clause, subject perhaps to q wide de- gree of interpretation. No specific benefits are mentioned except those implied in a world free Of war as national policy, This benefit, de IlSd tO all oIlttlulDS lldllOI llluSt mean that the other signatories have the right to proceed in whatever manner is deemed best toward the offending state. Finally, a state that takes to force in contraNcnton of the pact IS morally outlawed, both in the public opinion of the world and in such manner as the adherinG states might adopt. They might do nothing about such a breach of faith, or they migh, combine to do much. The treaty means more. in it's potentialties. than appears on the surface gloss Of it's generalities.
 Such moral sanctions though in- definite, in @Il probability would mean much to state seeking 10 maintain the good will Of mankind. The pact fundamentally makes it more unlikely for a state to flare up over questions that can just as easily be settled through pacific undertake ings. This was illustrated in the re- cent controversy between Russia and China, both of which cooled down sufficiently 10 announce they would adhere to the principles of the Kcl- iogg pact rather than give way 10 passion. Their hands were stayed be- cause they realized they were under moral obligations 10 proceed with caution. This incident yielded evidence that the treaty has a subtle force for good
 The spirit Of Arisudo Briand, French foreign minister who in June, 1927, originally expressed the ideal that Frank B. Kellogg Amcri- can secretary Of state. so onorgeticaI- ly took u3 and pressed 10 its sue. cessful conclusion. must have hoy- cred over t|" &1thcrin- in Wash- ington TIr treaty 0as Hrand's brain child. hi: notion oG tho best way to v"'rhrat. tho tenth auni,cr sary of the conclusion Of the World