Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-18
Prompt Action Advisable,


will be in the hands of the President
before May /, if present plans are car
ried out. Why, under such circum-
stances, should ratification of the treaty
be delayed until next Winter? The
Senate is In session, it will remain
certainly until June is and perhaps
later. The naval treaty, fixing limita-
tons on all categorieS of naval craft
for the three great naval powers of the
world, the United States, Britain and
Japan, is real accomplishment. 1t
halts what has promised to be a race
in naval construction which threatened
to place greater and greater burdens
on the backs of the taxpayers of the
United States and the other nations
involved. Unless the agreement had
been made, suspicion and distrust
among the nations would have grown
instead of being allayed The naval
treaty is an important step in the in
terest Of world peace and reduction of
ornaments. In the light of all the
facts, why should the Senate hesitate
to act promptly on the treaty?
President Hoover is represented as
DESTROYS of seeing the naval agreement
ratified and in force with the least
possible delay. It is a reasonable de-
sire, and one that the country will
applaud. The so-called big Navy adj
vocateS, who have no desire for any
limitation, will seek to pick flaws in the
agreement. They will urge that the
United States has been "buncoed'' or
duped at the conference. The Amer
lean delegation at the conference, how
ever, is q delegation calculated to in
spire confidence. In its membership
are included not only patriotic Amer
leans who would not yield to the dis
advantage Of their country but men
capable Of dealing Intellectually with
the problems presented at such a con-
ference
The opposition to the treaty doubt
less will seek delay. 1t is its purpose
to prevent favorable action on the
treaty If it can. But why should the
opposition be humored in this matter?
1t is true that political campaign
is coming on, with more than a third
Of the Senate up for reelection. But
Senators seeking reelection can aid
themselves by attending to their duties
in Washington as well as by stumping
their States.
Should the treaty not be sent to the
Senate this Spring. then it must go
over until November, at the earliest
following the election. President Hoo
YER could call the Senate into special
session then for the consideration of
the treaty. Or he could wait until the
Senate meets In regular session in De-
cember. The next regular session, how
ever, is short" session, closing auto
matically on March 4, 1881. The SEN
ate will have plenty to do to get
through with the necessary appropria-
ton bills and other pressing legislation
during the short session without hav-
ing the naval treaty to consider at the
same time.
The supporters Of the treaty were
greatly encouraged yesterday when SEN
ator Borah, chairman of the foreign re-
lations committee, broke his silence and
declared that he believed the naval
treaty docs help the cause of disarma-
ment."
Prompt ratification Of the naval treaty
by the United States and the other sig
natory bodies is desirable from every
angle. The longer the treaty is allowed
to hang fire. to lie around in the pigeon
holes Of the desks Of cabinet ministers,
the less effective the blow now struck
for limitation Of ornaments and for
better feeling among the nations of the
world. Senator Borah has properly said
that If the treaty Is sent to his COM
mittee this Spring he will insist upon its
disposition by the Senate before that
body adjourns for the Summer.