Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-20
Americas Position.

4 Inc American pOSlLlon regarding Ile
] proposal, advanced in some quarters,
that this country become a party to a
| security" agreement of any kind with
the nations of Europe as the price Of
naval limitation and reduction is made
quite clear in the address delivered by
Senator Robinson of Arkansas, a men,
Der of the American delegation at the
London Naval Conference. This adj
dress takes on added significance when
it is known that it was made public
by the State Department here in Wash
ington. Senator Robinson was speak
ing yesterday before the Association Of
American Correspondents in London.
But what he had to say viii be scanned
with interest by the representatives and
the peoples Of the other nations taking
part in the Naval Conference.
Senator Robinson declared his belief
in the desire Of the great mass of the
American people for naval limitation
and eventual reduction. He enumerated
in much detail what he believed the
American people desired in the way Of
naval reduction. The pith of his state
ment of the American position, how
ever, so far as the present situation in
London is concerned, is found in his
discussion of the policy of America to-
| ward foreign entanglements. He said:
NY understanding is that the people
of the United States quite generally
adhere to the traditional policy OF our
Government to avoid, II possible, in
Vehement In European politics. They
would repudiate emphatically any
treaty expressly or implicitly obligating
our Government to employ the Army
or the Navy for the enforcement Of
obligations assumed by other nations
1t is for this reason that they do not
encourage their delegates to this con-
ference to join in guarantees of Sc
curity respecting areas remote from
territory or possessions OF the United
States. Americans realize that no
power will deliberately violate its I'M
dertaking for the limitation or reduc-
ton of ornaments. They believe that
no sanction Is necessary to assure the
good-faith performance of any treaty
for that purpose. This attitude does
not imply indifference or lack of SYM
patty for the problems of others. 1t
Is grounded on the American concep-
ton of sound policy and constitutional
limitations.
In this statement Senator Robinson
has gone no further than has President
Hoover in his public utterances on the
subject. 1t appears quite clear to those
who follow the sentiment of the Senate
Of the United States that any treaty
entered into in London which in any
way sought to involve this country in a
promise or guarantee to use its influ-
ence, through arms or economic pres
sure, to settle disputes arising between
European nations would have not the
ghost of a show Of ratification. Even
on the Democratic side of the Senate
| chamber, where sentiment was strong
for American entry into the League of
Nations when Woodrow Wilson was in
the White House, the sentiment of the
country against pledging America to
mix in the quarrels of Europe has had
its effect. The old irreconcilable group,
headed by Borah of Iadho and john
son of California, and including the
Indiana Senators, Moses of New Hamp-
shire and others, would night to the end
against ratification of any treaty that
emanated from the arms conference, in
which there was the slightest suggestion
Of political ENHANCEMENT for this coun-
try with the nations of the rest of the
world.
The address of Senator Robinson is
in. effect further notice to the nations
of Europe that some other plan must
be evolved than that of having the
United States enter into a security
pact, called by any name whatever.
The suggestion has been advanced that
possibly an agreement might be made
TO place in the Kellogg BRAND null
tilateral treaty renouncing war some
implement" to prevent nations which
have adhered to that treaty from violat-
ing 1t. Another suggestion has been
the writing into the proposed naval
treaty a clause which would have the
same effect, and still another that the
United States enter into a treaty with
four or fiVe other nations regarding
| the Mediterranean and its problems,
| similar to the four-power Pacific treaty,
which grew out of the Washington
Conference in 1921. But, according to
members Of the Senate now in Wash
lngton, none Of these suggestions will do.
It is unthinkable that the nations
now assembled in London will not
eventually agree to a naval limitation
treaty. A failure would be disaster
for the entire world. But 1t might as
well be understood in Europe as well
as in this country that America will
not, as a price for naval agreement,
ratify a treaty which might in any
shape take this country into European
politics.
As a natural lightning calculator Sen