Evening star., 1932-02-24

NSOlIlUueu from t1TSC FaSe)
show its truly peaceful intentions, also
agreed to dismantle the Notifications
II possessed in its naval bases in the
Western Pacific. at Guam and the
Philippines
Statement Is Cited.
Secretary Stimson in his letter to
Senator Borah makes this statement,
which Is full of meaning: mo one of
these treaties Ohe nine-power pact,
the four-poWer pact and the naval
pact) can be disregarded without dis
turbing the general understanding and
the equilibrium which were intended
to be accomplished and effected by
the group of agreements arrived at in
their entirety. The Washington Con-
ference was essentially a disarmament
conference, aimed to promote the DOS
sibility of peace in the world. not only
through cessation of competition in
naval armament, but also by the solu-
tion Of various other disturbing prob
lens which threatened the peace of
the world, particularly in the Far East.
These problems we're all inter-related
The willingness of the American Gov
ernment to surrender its commanding
lead in battleship construction and to
leave its position at Guam and in the
Philippines without further fortifica-
tlons was predicated upon, among other
things, to self-denying covenants con-
tained in the nine-poWer treaty, which
assured the nations of the world not
only equal opportunity for their East
ern trade, but also against military
aggrandisement of any other power at
the expense of China
Here the Secretary of State takes the
opportunity OF serving notice upon the
other powers as to how important he
considers the maintenance of all
treaties: "One cannot discuss the posi-
blllty of modifying or abrogating the
provisions of the nine power treaty,
without considering at the same time
the other promises upon which they
were really dependent"
Cites Other Treaties.
Mr.. Stimson further refers to the
other peace instruments signed since
1922 and especially to the BRAND -Kel-
logg pact. He says that: IF these
treaties had been faithfully observed
SUCH a situation Gas the present one in
Chlna) could have never arisen" This
is the view of this Government. We
see no reason for abandoning these en-
ilghtened principles which are embodied
IN these treaties. We believe that this
situation would have been avoided had
tneSe covenants been faithfully observed
ana no evidence has come to us to in
olcate that due compliance with them
would nave interfered with the adequate
protection of the legitimate rights in
CHINA of the signatories of these treat
les and their nationals
secretary Stimson'S letter is bound to
nave tremendous repercusSion through
out the world and principally in China,
Japan and Great Britain.
Inc Chinese are shown by this letter
that this country Is far from bowling be-
fore mere force and that it Is standing
by China to see that the treaties which
guarantee her territorial integrity are
observed.
The Japanese will be given a chance
TO seriously consider their present ac-
ton and the consequences of their wag-
ing war on China in defiance of treaties
to which they have themselves pledged
without any compunction on our side.
British Have Agreed.
The British are reminded that at all
times, since Secretary Hay declared the
principles of the open-door policy, they
have fully agreed with our stand on the
thorny Far Eastern question.
secretary Hay acted in 1899 with the
cordial support of the British govern
ment. Lord Salisbury. the then prime
minister of Great Britain, expressed
himself most emphatically as concur
ring in the policy of the United States"
Later. during the discussions which
resulted in the nine-power treaty, Lord
Balfour, the principal British delegate,
had stated that "the British Empire
delegation understood that there was no
representative of any power around this