Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-28
SWANSON OPPOSES
CONSULTATIVE PACT
Senator Says U. S. Would Do
Better in Three-PoWer
Limitation Treaty.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
American signature Of q consultative
pact at the London Naval Conference
was vigorously opposed today by Sena-
tor Swanson of Virginia, the ranking
Democrat on the foreign relations COM
mittee. who expressed the hope that
President Hoover likewise would OPP
pose it.
Senator Swanson, in q statement, de-
clared the consultative pact was too
high q price for q five-power naval
treaty. He said it would be better for
America to enter into q three-power
naval limitation treaty or adjourn the
conference than to agree to such pact
ut Is far better" he said, "for Amer
lea to enter into an agreement with
Great Britain and Japan for limitation
Of armament than to enter into Ave-
power pact involving us IN European
political commitments. No one can
foretell where such q matter would
end It would be far better for the con-
ference to adjourn, as suggested, m or
der to meet under more propitious cir
cumstances, than to enter into limit
political pact at this time.
Swanson was one Of the leaders IN
the Senate for the plan for American
adherence to the League OF Nations ana
to the World Court. His pronouncement
added considerable weight to declara-
tions already issued from the Senate in
opposition to consultative pact.
Chairman Borah of the Senate foreign
relations committee has opposed the
pact and Senator Watson OF Indiana,
the Republican leader, has given notice
he would be against any treaty lnvolv-
ing American assurance OF security In
Europe.
Meanwhile the President is silent.
At hope the reports from London that
the American delegation Is contemplat.
ing entering into a political pact"
Senator Swanson said, Elm order to Sc
cure a naval agreement Is unfounded.
/ also hope the report that President
Hoover is opposed to such pact Is
true and that he will adhere to deci-
sion not to enter into such pact as
the price for naval agreement.
Two views on Elan.
"Those in favor of entering into q
five-power pact to meet ana consuit
among themselves in case any war Is
threatened IN the Mediterranean seem
to take two views as to what this means.
SIN America it Is contended that 1t
means nothing-that the United States
assumes no obligation under such
pact. In Europe 1t is contended tnat
such a pact would be very effective In
furnishing security to France and Italy,
and consequently they could afford to
reduce their naval strength. Both con-
| tentions cannot be right.
IF 1t means nothing, as claimed ~
America, it is dificult to understand
why the European powers are willing
to accept it as a guarantee OF security.
| II 1t means something as European
nations believe, it involves the United
States in political obligations In Europe.
which it would be honorably compelled
to discharge.
eff it means nothing, as contendeo IN
America, it is a snare and delusion,
giving fancied security to European
powers that the United States has nc
intention of discharging. Great ma
tons in their dealings with other ma
tons should be frank and honorable
and should not indulge in creating
false hopes.
Alliance Warned Against.
"A five-power pact of this kind con-
stttutes special alliance, which botf
against"
1T is a return" the Swanson state.
ment continued, ito the old concert OF
power that controlled Europe for many
years, and which was the father o.
many wars and many 1njustices. AL
political alliances of the past have beer
camouflaged under the guise OF meet
ing for consultation.
Back of them has always been con.
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