Evening star., 1931-12-10

the American Government has taken
2 leading part beginning with The
Hague Conference In 1899 Up to the
present time the record of achieve
ment has been almost entirely In the
held OF naval disarmament. 1t Is to
pe hoped that further progress can
De made in reduction of naval arms
and that limitation and reduction
30 urgently needed can be extended
to land arms.
The burden of taxes to support
armament Is greater toSay than
before the Great war. and the eco
nomic instability of the world is
definitely due in part to this cause
and the fears which these huge
ornaments at all times create. No
announcements should be permit
ted to turn the world from sane and
reasonable limitation of arms.
with view to establishing an
atmosphere OF confidence for the
opening OF this World Disarmament
conference, more than 40 govern
menus, including all the principal
mlhtary and naval powers, have
joined IN accepting the principle of
one-year armaments truce. This
truce, which is the outgrowth of a
propossl advanced last September by
the foreign minister of ItaIy. lis de-
signed to preven. the expansion of
ornaments program during the
coming months in the hope of re-
moVfrg the threat Of sudden revi-
val OF competition In arms before
ana during the conference. These
steps were fully approved by our
War and Navy Departments.
Manchuria.
We have been deeply concerned
over the situation in Manchuria.
AS parties to the Kellogg BRAND
pact and to the nine-power treaty.
we have responsibility in main
tanning the integrity OF China and
alrect interest with other nations
In maintaining peace here.
When this controversy originated
In September the League of Nations
was In session and China appealed
to the Ccuncil of that body. which
at once undertook measures of corr
citation between China and Japan.
Both China and Japan have par
ticipated In these proceedings be-
fore the Council ever since. Under
the Kellogg BRAND pact all of the
slgnatcries, including China and
Japan, have covenanted to seek
none but pacific means in the set
tlement of their disputes. Thus the
ultimate purpose of proceedings
under this section of the Kellogg
BRAND pact and Ct conciliation pro-
ceedings by the League covenant
coincide. 1t seemed, therefore, both
wise and appropriate rather to aid
and advise with the League and
thus have unity of world effort to
maintain peace than to take inde-
pendent action. In all negotiations.
however. the Department of State
has maintained complete freedom
Of Judgment and action as to par
tlclpation In any measures which
the League might finally be deter
mined upon.
Immediately after the outbreak
OF the trouble this Government ad-
vised both Japan and China of its
serious interest. Subsequently it
communicated its views to both
governments regarding their obliga-
tins under the Kellogg BRAND pact.
In this action we were joined by
other nations signatory of the pact.
This Government has consistently
and repeatedly by diplomatic rep
resentations indicated. its unremit-
ting solicitude that these treaty OBJ
legations be respected. In the re-
curing eff rts Of the nations to
bring about peaceful settlement
this Government has realized that
the exercise of the utmost patience
was desirable, end 1t is believed that
public opinion In this country has
appreciated the wisdom of this re-
straint
At present resolution is pending
before the meeting at Paris. with
hopes CT passage, under which Ja-
pan and China will agree to take no
Initiative which might lead to re-
newed conflict; In which Japan has
reiterated its intention to withdraw
the japanese troops to the railway
zone as soon as lives and property
OF japanese nationals in Manchuria
can be adequately protected, and
under which both nations agree to
q neutral commission to meet on
the ground, to which commission all
matters in dispute can be referred
for investigation and report.
st. Lawrence Waterway,
Conversations were begun between
the Secretary of State and the
Canadian Minister at Washington
on November IA looking to the
framing of treaty fer the develop
ment OF the st. Lawrence seaway.
The negotiations are continuing. I
am hopeful that an agreement may
result Wlthln reasonable time en-
apling us to begin work on this
great project, which win be of much
Importance economically to Canada
and to the United States.
Visits Of M. Laval and Signor Grandi.
The President of the council of
ministers OF France, M. Laval,
VISITED Washington in October In
oroer 10 discuss problems of out
stanolng world interest, in the So
iutlcn OF which 1t was felt that the
Two countries could be of assistance
Inc informal and cordial conyersa-
LIONS served to bring into relief the
respective positions of the two
The visit in November Of the
royal Italian minister for foreign
sa al.alfs also afforded an opportunity
~ corolal exchange Of views re-
In which this Government and tha
government of Italy are interested
IL was not the purpose of these
meetings TO engage in any Commit
menus or to conclude agreements
HeWever. the visits of M Iaval and
signor Grandi, together with the
various meetings of statesmen in
Europe. and the visit of the Secre-
tary Of State to European countries
have brought about valuable unders
standing OF the nature CT the nrob-
lens confronting different govern
ments which should aid In their So
luton. '-AeA eo-
Nicaragua.
In compliance with the agreement
made In May, 1927, the Nicarae,,an
government requested SUPERVISION hv
an electoral commission from tbe
united States of the conpress,onaI
elections held in 1890. This wear q
member Of the commissions of 1904
ana 1880 was sent to Nicaragua as
an observer during the election Of
municipal authorities in order that
on the basis of his observations II
might be possible to arrange the
many necessary details of the s,,nare
vision Of the 1882 presidential eIec-
tion In Nicaragua.
Armed forces of the United s+a+a,