Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-24
states involved in the Mediterranean

States involved in the Mediterranean
treaty.
Just how President Hoover can be ex-
pected to give assurance that this Gov
eminent win act in the event of threat
OF violation of the Kellogg treaty re-
nouncing war, or in what form, is a
question that has not yet been answered
This country has always wished to use
| It's good offices in the interest of peace
when other friendly powers found them
selves involved in difficulties with
one another. This latest suggestion
emanating from the London conference
is the mildeSt request, of a political
nature, which probably could be made.
1t still presents its difficulties, however.
1t is realized abroad, as it is here, that
there would be strong opposition in the
Senate of the United States to any
treaty negotiated at London which car
ried political commitments involving the
United States. Under the plan now
| advanced, however, there would be no
such provision in naval treaty grow
ing out of the London conference. It
calls for assurance from the President
OF the United States that he would seek
to bring about consultation of powers
in the event of threat of war.
1t is urged in some quarters that even
II such assurance was given by Mr..
Hoover, it would not be binding upon
his successors in office; that there would
be no treaty obligation on the part of
this country. But if the United States
Government through its executive head.
once gave the assurance now demanded,
precedent would be set which any
administration in this country would
find difficult to set aside without bring
ing upon this country criticism of faith
lessness.
1t is exceedingly doubtful that Presi-
dent Hoover would seek by indirection
to accomplish an object which could
not be effected if the procedure
laid down by the Constitution for con-
Quoting our foreign relations were fol-
lowed. Certainly there would be wide
burst of criticism from many quarters
If he did so. On the other hand.
France must know that this country is
strongly welded to the idea of the
Kellogg multilateral treaty renouncing
war. 1t has had direct evidence of that
fact and of the lengths to which the
Government will go in its action when
there was threat of violation of the
treaty because of the controversy be-
tween Russia and China last year.
France may be willing in the end to
regard that action by this country as a
precedent and to abandon any demand
that President Hoover, by proclamation
or solemn note, agree to follow such a
course in the event of other disturb
ances in the friendly relations of the
nations
1t is explained abroad that what agi-
tates the French. the British and the
other powers involved in the Naval
Conference is the possibility of the
United States being unwilling to observe
blockade or other measure of eco
nomic pressure which might be brought
Az Vic cNeiib VI al OlAeIlSlFe war uIlueI-
taken by European nation against
another. 1t is for that reason that
these powers are seeking some assur-
ance from this country that it will at
least favor actively a consultation of
the powers in the event of threat of
war. If the United States insisted
upon trading, as neutral, with a
power which had entered upon aggres-
sive war IN violation of the Kellogg
treaty and of the League of Nations
Covenant, and also of the prospective
Mediterranean pact, the foreign pow
ers see grave difficulties ahead. This
is the problem with which they are
now wrestling abroad.