The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-09-26
Save the Treaties

That Toxic peace group is trying to curb the Japa-
nese war lords who have made war against de-
xenseless neighbor Under the Japanese system the
war lords are not responsible to the rest OF the caoi
net but only to the emperor
The American public doubtless will appreciate the
state departments effort to strengthen the hands Oh
tbs .Iapanese peace group and to take no unneces-
uary action which the party could use TO IN
flame war sentiment but it is leaning on very weak
reed when it trusts all to Toxic government which
has proved powerless for six days and which thus IS
4 government more in name than in TACT
Unless the Washington government acts soon to
restore the integrity of its treaties in the Manchu-
MAN crisis the peace machinery built up after the
travail of the World war will be worthless junk. II
that happens the international situation will be grave
Indeed
Settlement of Japan'S war of aggression against
China in itself is serious enough problem But 1t
a insignificant compared with the larger issue OF res
cune the world peace machinery. The state depart
mint apparently sees only the first and Is partly blind
to the second.
Policy of the state department seems to be to
preserve at all cost the friendship and cooperation
OF the Shidehara peace group in the Toxic cabinet
The best the state department could achieve, I'M
der this policy would be japanese withdrawal OF
troops Meanwhile, there is danger that the worst
Snav happen that massacre may occur and give
the Japanese war lords their long sought opportunity
for complete and permanent occupation OF Manchuria
Even assuming success of the state department.
policy and withdrawal of Japanese troops that alone
will not save the peace treaties
japan has violated the nine-power Pacific treaty
and the kellogg pact-not to mention her League OF
Nations obligations. The only way to keep those
treaties alive is for one of the signatories,
who guarantee those treaties to take action under
fhose treaties for neutral mediation and settlement.
Otherwise a precedent has been set by which any
nation in the world violate those treaties with
Sut fear of international intervention to preserve
peace.
ANY aggressor nation hereafter can say, and justly,
shat the powers accepted Japans action not VIC
hating these treaties.
That is not an imaginary danger. France today
bases her entire diplomatic and military policy on
the argument that the peace treaties are ineffective
and thereby iustes her refusal to reduce ornaments
fJpon that argument will hang the success or failure
Of the coming world disarmament conference.
If the peace and disarmament advocates, which
include the United States government have to admit
that the peace treaties could not protect China against
Japanese aggression, then Frances argument viii be
proved up to the hilt.
If the United States government can not make
these peace treaties operate-by diplomatic demands
or by economic boycott if necessaryhow does it ex-
pect the American people the world to retain any
faith in peace treaties and disarmament
We believe these treaties can be made to work
At least, the state department can try.