The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-08-04
Republics in Warning
BY WILLIAM PHILIP SIMMS
ScriDn.-Howard Foreign Editor


WASHINGTON, Aug. 4.-The
new American doctrine of non
recognition of stolen goods
characterized by President Hoover
as the strongest moral sanction the
world has ever known''-today was
brought to bear on Bolivia and
Paraguay to stop them from going
to war over the Gran Chaco.
This step was begun late Wednes-
dav when the nineteen neutral
American republics represented here
Joined in an urgent telegram to the
two disputants reminding them that
the quarrel over the territory could
and should, be settled without resort
to war.
In any event, the neutrals of this
hemisphere unanimously warned,
victory for either side, If they in
sisted on war, would avail the victor
nothing.
For they observed, "The American
nations declare that they will not
recognize any territorial arrange
ment of this controversy which has
not been obtained by peaceful
means. nor the validity of territorial
acquisitions which may be obtained
through occupation or conquest by
force of arms"
Precedent Is Established
Thus. for the first time, this new
international law is being applied
in an attempt to prevent hostilities.
Admittedly it sets precedent OF
incalculable Importance both in
world relations generally, and in the
relations between the Americas in
particular.
Some Latin American countries
long have feared the United States
had territorial ambitions in their
direction. The new international
doctrine of nonrecognition of terri
tory gained by force should, 1t is
thought, 60 far toward allaying
such suspicious.
The doctrine first was enunciated
IN washington in note from State
Secretary Stimson to Japan and
China, dated Jan. 8, 1882. That
was after Japan already had seized
Manchuria.
In effect he warned Japan the
United States would not recognize
'any situation, treaty or agreement"
brought about by the use of force.
Two months later, on March II,
the League of Nations, in commu-
nication to japan and China,
placed itself similarly on record.
Act to FOrestalI War
1T is incumbent upon the men,
bers of the League of Nations" it
declared, mot to recognize any sit
uation. treaty or agreement which
may be brought about" by the ag-
gressive use of arms.
The Pan-American League of
Nations" is resorting to this formula
for the first time in an actual at
tempt to forestall war.
Both Bolivia and Paraguay al
ready have modified. and several
clashes have occurred in the jungle
country known as the Gran Chaco.
When the China Japanese con-
flict began, no such precedent
existed
The covenant of the league pro-
vides for boycottS, blockades and
even force of arms, but the powers
party to the covenant were heSitant
to resort to such drastic measures.
The Kellogg pact, on the other
hand. simply pledges adherents not
10 resort TO war as an instrument
of national policy, but does not in
dictate what. if anything, would hap
pen to an aggressor.
The policy of non-recognition of
political or territorial changes OBJ
tanned by force is seen as putting a
new light, both on the covenant and
the kellogg pact.
IF all the nations in the world
realize that the gains which have
come to them through use of force
will not be recognized as valid by
the world at large" Acting State
Secretary Castle commented, they
will understand that these gains are
useless