Evening star., 1932-12-15
SANCTITY OF PACTS
INJURED BY FRENCH
DEFAULT ON DEBTS
(Continued From First Page.)

in the world, herself disregards her
solemn obligations, disregards the sig
nature which she has fixed upon an
agreement with this country. While
certain people might find mitigating
circumstances for . young nation like
Japan, which was sitting within the
boundaries of the small islands In which
she is compelled to live, it is difficult to
find any plausible reason why France.
of all countries. should have repudiated
her obligations, even II she felt they
were unjust, even II she felt that she
had been mtsled by certain statements
coming from high American quarters.
The American Government fully ap-
preciates that Premier HerriOt was the
last man to wish his country to retute
her signature. But this Is more worry
ing than if Mr.. Herriot and his govern
men had wished to repudiate Frances
obligations. 1t Is q clear indication.
that the French government had to
follow the policy of the streets" Ihe
French Republic had many powerful
arguments to base her claim for re.
vision of her debts. Her case would
have been strong II she had paid the
$40, 900 900 she was to have paid today:
But the streets Of Paris have dictated
the policy of the Chamber OF Deputies
and that Is bad sign.
Pact Made by Diplomats.
Pacts such as the Kellogg BRAND
pact and treaties are not made by the
man in the street." They are mace
by cabinets and diplomats, frequently.
despite the views OF the people. After
sub pactS and agreements are made,
the governments proceed to "sell them
to the people" They are generally sue
cessful in having them accepted. But
when the governments. which are the
protagonistS Of these treaties, yield to
the pressure Of the street there can be
no assurance that the treaties Will bs
enforced at the time when they are
most needed.
The default Of the French govern
ment does not only jeopardize good
relations between this country and
the French Republic, but jeopardizes
the very foundation OF the new peace
structure. When governments do what
they wish because popular opinion de-
mands it, there is no reason why the
same public opinion should not de-
mand q revision of frontiers, or an in
crease Of territory at the expense OF
the governments and the parliaments
which have signed and ratified treaties
and pacts will always find the allDl
that "our hands were forced by the
public opinion"
The State Department, which has
been working assiduously for years at
a general reduction of ornaments, both
on land and on the sea, finds today
that all the efforts since 1929 are van
ishing like smoke.
The Geneva conference has just been
postponed with . certain amount OF
platonic success. The chances of it
ever accomplishing anything henceforth
are extremely small.
a new era of everybody for him
likely to be the result Of the French
action. 1t Is not only s20,0000 900 which
Is involved in Frances refusal to pay,
but the peace of the world, and the bill
lions which will have to be sacrificed
to maintain that peace by the force
of arms, since treaties seem to be of no
further avail when they do not suit one
of the signatory parties. Many people
here are In sympathy with Frances
reasons for demanding . revision OF her
debts. Many more month or SO ago
would have gladly spoken in favor of
such q revision being granted to France.
But there are few amongst the most
ardent friends and admirers Of France
today who do not see in the precipitate
action Of the French Chamber threat
to, II not the doom Of, the policy OF
treaties and agreements.