The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-10-29
KELLOGG PACT
is TOO VAGUE,
EUROPE'S VIEW
Plan Afoot to Force u. S. to
Say Plainly Where 1t
Stands on Peace.
BY WILLIAM PHILIP SIMMS
scripps- Howard Foreign Editor


WASHINGTON, oct. 29.-Presi-
dent Herbert Hoovers threat to
build a navy second to none, unless
the other nations act on disarma-
ment, has given impetus to Europes
plan to force America to say plainly
where she stands in the movement
to make the world safe from war.
The Kellogg pact, European CAPT.
tails have informed Washington, is
not sufficient. Nor is State Secre-
tary Henry L. Stimson's recent in
depreciation thereof.
There very we'll may be moral
obligation to consult when war IS
threatened, as the secretary said,
and the United States may refuse
to recognize any benefits derived
from a breach Of the pact. But
something more is required.
Thus Premier Herriot of France is
said to be preparing disarmament
plan. one feature of which would
require all the powers, including
the United States, formally to agree
to consult. if and when, a violation
of the kellogg pact is threatened.
Want Dotted Line Signed
In other words, the oral interpre-
tation of the pact given by single
American official in a public ad-
dress is far from satisfactory to
European diplomats.
They want Uncle Sans signature
on the dotted line.
President Wilson, they recall
signed the treaty of Versailles and
covenant of the league, only to have
his signature repudiated by the SEN
ate.
Even a consultative clause added
to the Kellogg pact would not put
British doubts to rest.
Great Britain would like some
kind Of an entente with the United
States, plainly STIMULATING that
neither would give aid to any coun-
try attacking the other without pro-
vocation or to a yiolator of the
pact.
Something of this nature is far
more important to Britain than is
commonly understood in America.
Britain Is Keystone
Britain is the keystone in the
arch supporting the structure of
the Locarno treaties designed to
guarantee the peace of Europe.
England, for example, is bound
to go TO the aid of France should
Germany wantonly attack that
country. She is also bound to go
to the aid of Belgium or to Italy
under similar circumstances.
On top Of that, She is bound to
aid Germany should Germany be
attacked without provocation by
the others.
What would the United States
do, Britain asks, if she used her
fleet in line with these obligations?
And what would the United
States do if she used her fleet to
back up the peace machinery of
the league covenant?
Would the United States insist
upon its technical rights as a neu-
trail to sail the seas and trade with
the aggreSsor?
Real Clash Is Faced
If so, say the British, then there
exists a very real peril of a clash
between the British and American
fleets.
And as Britain has commitments,
not only in Europe, but in every
other corner of the earth, she can
not well afford to allow her fleet to
fall below certain standard.
The United States is not mem
Der of the league.
1t is not member of the world
court.
1t did not sign the peace treaties
of Locarno.
1t did sign the Kellogg pact out
having war, but as it stands the
pact is too vague for Europe.