Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-27

BY the Associated Press.
TOXIC, october 27.--The London
naval treaty was described today by
Premier Hamaguchi of Japan as a
covenant which is bound to exercise
an immense moral influence on the
consciousness of mankind"
His address follows In full text:
THE memorable conference which
was held in 1921 and 1922 at Washing
ton failed to give complete measure
of relief to a war-weary world. A
totally unexpected competition set in
among naval architects in the produc-
ton of hume Gus and very formidable
cruisers. These vessels were SO heavily
armed, so swift and SO well protected
as to constitute factor of extreme i'm
portance In any comparison of fleets. 1t
was some time before the existence of
the problem and its dangers and diff
culties became apparent. Various efforts
were made toward its solution, but they
seemed to lead to no result, and the
leading naval powers were rapidly drift
ing toward an impasSe, with the pros
pect before them of a renewal of the
wasteful competition and crushing ex-
penditure which had been temporarily
arrested at Washington.
This dangerous possibility was
averted at London. The aSsiduous la
bors exerted in 1927 at Geneva were
not without fruit, but paved the way
for a welcome measure of disarmament.
An understanding was reached between
Japan, the British commonwealth of
nations and the United States to put
an end to competitive building in all
categorieS of auxiliary combatant YES
sells. Nor Is that tripartite agreement
relating to auxiliary craft the only OUT
standing feature of the work of the
London Conference. A treaty embody-
ing further provisions, designed to re-
infofce the limitation of naval arma-
ment laid down in the Washington
treaty, and to regulate the activity of
submarines in conformity with the die.
tates of humanity, was elaborated and
signed by the five principal naval
powers committed to one and the same
noble end.
Immense Moral Influence.
at feel it a great privilege to have
contributed, so far as in me lay, to this
happy result. The new treaty Is bound
to exercise an immense moral influence
on the growing consciousness Of man
kind. It Is striking demonstration OF
mutual confidence and good VIII among
the nations, and congratulate the peo-
pie Of all the participating countries on
such signal achievement. know that
nothing Is nearer the heart Of every
thinking Japanese than to enjoy Sc
curity and to live In peace with the
rest of the world.
"One cannot but feel that the mo-
ment Is favorable for o wide extension
of the policy of disarmament embodied
In this treaty. Now that the pact OF
Paris initiated by Mr.. BRAND and Mr..
Kellogg has definitely outlawed war,
it is clear that any breach OF that
solemn engagement must rally the
whole world against the aggreSsor.
Whether other powers come forward
to offer active help or not, 1t Is hardly
conceivable that they would allow the
pledge breaker to interfere with their
trade and to enjoy the other privileges
of lawful belligerent.
Pioneer Stage Passed.
But. apart from calculations Of
! mutual aid in time Of war. may we
not believe that a more generous and
neighborly spirit Is fast replacing the
jealousies and suspicious of the past?
Shall we not confidently hope that the
deliberations of the Preparatory Com
mittee on Disarmament OF the League
of Nations, which is to meet this COM
ing month, win be conducted In the
same genial atmosphere that alone
made the success of the London Con-
ference possible? / trust that these
expectations for the future will not be
betrayed.
THE treaty Of London has opened
new chapter in the history Of human
civilization. We have once for all es-
capped from what may call the "pion-
eer" stage, in which every nations hand
Is actually or potentially against every
other We have entered on the sane
and friendly settlement" stage, In
which every one is united to suppress
intrusions by any one on another
sphere. A momentous step forward
on the road of international peace and
friendship has now been taken. Let
it prove q prelude to still greater ira
umphs for that lofty cause"