Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-02
The League of Nations Assembly.


on the outside looking in, the pro-
ceedings of the League of Nations can
never be matters of indifference to the
American Government and people. The
deliberations of the annual assembly OF
the League, which opened at Geneva
today. are of uncommon interest to
this country. They will be distin-
suished, above all, by the participation
OF Prime Minister Macdonald and the
announcement he Is expected to make
on the subject Of Anglo American naval
negotiations.
Apparently an understanding has
been reached between Washington and
London, whereby Geneva shall be the
forum In which the impending limita-
ton entente is first to be proclaimed.
The purpose seems unmistakable. The
two great English-speaking powers are
bent not only. upon effecting disar-
mament as between themselves. but upon
setting an example for international
disarmament. Their naval accord
aims at world peace, and not merely
at laying deeper the foundations Of
peace between the United States and
Great Britain. What more appropriate
forum for the announcement OF their
far-reaching purpose than the League
Assembly, wherein eight premiers and
twenty-five foreign ministers are par
ticipating?
This September conclave Of the
League is convened amid more propitious
circumstances than Europe and the
world have experienced since the treaty
of Versailles. Within the span Of six
weeks two portentous events have
occurred. The Kellogg pact for re-
nunciation of war has come into force
and the Young plan has been all but
formally ratified by Germany and the
allied powers which are her creditors.
Thus, as far as the ingenuity and good
intentions of craftsmanship can go.
practical and tangible steps have been
taken. on the one hand, to abolish
war, and, on the other, to liquidate the
consequences of the latest mad venture
of nations to settle international diff
ferences by force.
In the presence OF SO recent and so
tremendous q combination Of accom-
plishments on behalf of peace, the 1929
League Assembly takes up its work under
favorable skies. While the United
States resolutely maintains its Austen
ton from membership in the League,
the organizations power for good, es-
pecially in European affairs, is not chal-
lenged in this country. America in
numerous directions co-operates in
League activities. notably in the studies
of its preliminary commissions" lock-
ing 10 disarmament and to various
humanitarian and economic develop
ments. Our readiness to join the
World Court is on the eve of final dis
cussion.
But the time is no nearer than it has
ever been when the United States is
prepared to renounce its fundamental
objections to becoming full-fledged
member of the League. Meantime, In
our own way and time, we are march,
ing steadily and effectively toward the
Leagues basic and all-pervading OBJ
jective--peace. AS the Geneva As
sembly swings into action this week
the American people from the side
lines have no cause to blush. With
tustifable pride they point to the KEEL
logg pact and to the naval agreement
with Great Britain. With correspond
ing equanimity we are content to let
the nations federated under the &C.
neva covenant Judge whether or not
Uncle Sam is pulling his weight in the
boat which carries the burdens of this
x.,Ar1d