Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-05
SWANSON DEFENDS
ANT|-WAR TREATY
AS NOBLE GESTURE
Rejection by Senate Would
Misrepresent United States,
Virginian Says.
SENATOR LISTS WARS
BEYOND PACT'S POWERS
Plan Called Ineffective and Disap-
pointing as Preventive of
Armed Conflict.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
The Kellogg treaty to renounce war
was described in the Senate today by
Senator Swanson of Virginia, the rank
ing Democrat on the foreign relations
committee, as mere gesture for
peace" but noble gesture" which
spoke the wish of the world for the
outlawry of war.
AS an instrument which would eff
fectively abolish armed conflict, the
treaty will be found ineffective and
disappointing, he declared, but for
the Senate to reject it would be step
which would cause the United States
to be misunderstood and misrepresent-
ed throughout the world as possessed
of "imperialistic aims and warlike
purposes"
"The treaty speaks the voice OF
peace" Senator Swanson declared,
''but places feeble restraints on the
strong arm Of war. am unwilling to
defeat this treaty and silence this voice
of peace, however feeble, crying out in
world wilderness of threatened war
and woe. The voice may become louder
and more potential through the reced-
ing years."
Explaining why he believed the treaty
would be ineffective in abolishing war,
the Senator listed the wars with which
he contended the treaty could not con-
Germ ITSELF
These, he said, were wars of self
defense, wars to inforce peace under the
covenants of the League of Nations,
wars enviSaged by the Locarno pact, and
wars rising out of the claimed interest
by Great Britain in certain spheres Of
the world and by the United States
under the Monroe Doctrine.
Most any war, Senator Swanson said,
could be fought on the pretense of self
defense and therefore he contended the
Kellogg pact, by reserving the right of
nations to carry on such wars, would be
an ineffective instrument against war.
But with all its weaknesses, the Vir-
ginian asserted. the pact should be
ratified as step in the right direction.
Signs of doubt developed in the Sem
ate debate yesterday as Senator Borah
concluded his two days argument for
the pact, but the attack being fostered
by Senator Reed, Democrat, Missouri,
awaited the conclusion Of Borahs ex-'
position.
Frankly stating that he did not look
for 'the dawn of the millennium" in the
ratification of the pact. the Idaho Sena-
tor told the Senate the treaty was
step in the direction toward the preser-
vation of peace which must be taken
lest civilization be imperiled as 1t has
not been since the evening Of the dark
ages"
Senator Robinson of Arkansas, the
Democratic leader, joined in the asser-
ton that the treaty was of value. If
any, for its psychological effect" and as
means only of organizing the peace
forces.
B0rah Assumes Onus.
The two days of debate showed keen
interest by the Senate in the treaty and
members arose frequently to interrogate
its champion as he anticipated Objec-
tions and answered them. However.
the vast numbers believed to be in favor
of the pact were content to sit by and
leave the debate to Senator Borah, who
as chairman Of the foreign relations
committee has taken charge Of the
treaty.
The Idahoan denied that the treaty
pledging the nations of the world to
renounce war could infringe in any way
upon Americas asserted right to guard
against foreign encroachments in this
hemisphere and therefore he said no
reservation was required to protect the
Monroe Doctrine. He denied that the
signatorieS could be called upon to exert
force against an offending nation. He
insisted that the reservation of Great
British as expressed in a British note
IN hnp ~ a ~,
the treaty in the slightest. It said the
right of self defense was inherent in
the treaty.
There is no organization set UP by
the treaty, Borah explained, for the
peaceful settlement of disputes and
therefore this Nation could not be called
before the World Court, unless 1t con-
Sented, or before any other tribunal
in the event of violation of the pact.
Reservations Come Up.
Senator Reed was on his feet late
yesterday when the Idahoan had con-
cluded to read into the record the cor
1espondence of Russia, Egypt, Rumania
and some other countries, which he said
showed reservations by these nations.
He said the letters made 1t clear that
there are contentious already as to the
meaning of the treaty.
The opposition Is placing its hopes in
the resolution of Senator Moses, Re-
publican. of New Hampshire, stating
Americas position in regard to her
rights in connection with ratification of
the treaty. Senator Moses would have
this resolution accompany the notitica-
tion to the other powers of this couu.
try's acceptance of the pact.
The debate became quite personal
at one juncture yesterday between Sem
ators Borah and Bruce, Democrat,
Maryland, with the latter finally ac-
cusing Borah of campaigning against
his election in the last campaign.
Bruce was defeated. Senator Borah re-
piled that he had not mentioned either
Mr.. Bruce or his opponent when he
spoke In Maryland. and added that
he did nnt think II ,uas ,acccS-arr.