Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-11
Backing the Kellogg Treaty.

The Kellogg multilateral treaty re-
nouncing war has been described in
certain quarters-particular those not
responsible for its negotiation as a
mere gesture; indeed, an empty gesture.
Senator Capper of Kansas, who has
been strong supporter of the treaty,
now comes forward with proposal
which, if adopted, may put very diff
ferent aspect upon the situation. What
the Kansas Senator proposes is that
the United States and other nations
signatory to the Kellogg treaty shall
pledge themselves not to sell arms, mu-
nitions and other materials needed for
carrying on war to any nation which
violates the Kellogg treaty.
Few nations that go to war are able
to furnish all the arms, munitions and
other materials essential to carrying on
war; They must rely on neutrals for
these munitions. For example, had the
belligerents, soon after the war broke
in 1914 in Europe, been unable to OBJ
tain from the United States vast guam
titles of war supplies, the effect would
have been serious for some of the ma
tons involved, if not all of them.
A resolution introduced in the Senate
today by Senator Capper authorizes the
President of the United States, by proc
lanation, to declare whenever any ma
ton has violated the Kellogg treaty.
After the President shall have issued
his proclamation, 1t shall be unlawful,
unless otherwise provided by act of
Congress, to export to the nation vio-
lating the treaty any arms, munitions,
etc. Further, the resolution declares
that nationals of the United States who
undertake to send such supplies to that
nation, or nations, shall not have the
protection of the United States.
In order. to convince other nations
of the advisability of enacting similar
laws relating to the export of arms and
munitions to nation violating the
Kellogg treaty, the Capper resolution
provides that the structures against the
export of arms and munitions from the
United States shall apply only in case
Of a breach of the treaty by war
against government which has de-
clared its adherence to similar policy
The Capper resolution and the course
it proposes is a logical sequence of the
ratification of the Kellogg treaty. How
ridiculous it would be for the United
States or any other nation - having
solemnly declared its adherence to a
treaty renouncing war as a means OF
settling international disputes, to assist
a nation which violates this pledge tc
carry on a war through the sale to il
of much-needed munitions!
The proposed embargo on the export
of arms and munitions would lie against
the nation waging an aggressive war
1t would become the duty of the Presi-
dent of the United States to determine
in the event of hostilities, which nation
Woo VAC o6SACooOAt NSAOAO AAO ~s'oN~A
proclamation laying such an embargo
! He might determine that both nation:
were equally guilty of violating the Kel.
logg treaty. From a reading of the res
olution it appears that Congress would
have the power, however, to override
the Presidents decision in this matter
by enacting a law or laws contrary tt
the Presidents determination Of the
guilt of the party or parties involved.
Despite the difficulties which may lii
in the path of the Capper resolution
and the adoption of a similar program
in other countries, certainly 1t appear
that the Kansas Senator has laid {
finger on a very practical method o
aiding the fulfillment of the pledge con
tanned in the Kellogg treaty.