The Washington times., 1933-05-18
WORLD APPEARS
IN LINE WITH
ROOSEVELT
Responses So Indicate, But
Farley Table Offers Test;
Views "Extravagant"
BY GEORGE r. HOLMES
The world appeared today to

be falling in line with President
Roosevelt's four-point program
for the maintenance OF lnterna-
tional peace.
Replies from nearly half the
81 rulers addressed by the Presi-
dent in his message OF Tuesday
were couched in terms ranging all
the way from enthusiastic and
complete support to cautious "ac-
ceptance in principle"
It is recognized, however, that
the real test will come when the
powers get around the table IN
Geneva to translate their verbal
praise into something more con-
crete.
interpretations Abroad
The Administration has been
concerned-and somewhat en-
barrassed-by the extravagant
interpretations of the Roosevelt
plan in some of the foreign capl-
tails.
A number of them, London and
Paris included, have jumped TO
the conclusion that in proposing
the abolition of offensive war
weapons, a new non-aggresslon
pact, and consultation" with
other powers in the event OF hos
tilities, President Roosevelt mas
made a complete about-face in
American foreign policy.
Such, the White House hastened
to explain today, is not the case
Clarifying Words
To clarity the American posi-
ton, the following statement was
made:
"There is no obligation on the
United States except in the fol-
lowing three possibilities:
81. If every other nation
agrees to eliminate weapons OF
offensive warfare, the United
States will do the same.
"2. II during the disarmament
period every other nation agrees
not to invade its neighbOrs, sub
ject to existing treaty rights,
the United States will do the
same thing.
"3. If there is violation Of any
such agreement or agreements
the United States would con-
suit with other nations. This Is
no change from lOng-Standing
and existing policy.
U. S. TO DETERMINE
determination Of any action
following consultation referred
to would, of course, be fully
open to determination by the
United States at that time.
That does not mean the United
States will, in company with
other nations, meet to deter
mine this policy. The policy
will be determined right here in
Washington by officials in the
light of events and circum-
stances prevailing at the time"
In other words, the United
States would agree to consult with
other powers in a given set OF
circumstances, but there is nc
commitment to abandon neutral
ity, to impose sanctions, or to
undertake to define the aggresSor
in an international conflict.
Reassuring the Senate
The statement was designed tc
reassure the United States Senate
that no historical departure was
being made from the long stand
ing and traditional policy Of the
United States to judge for 1tsel1
it's action in the event OF inter
national conflict.
BY the same token. the state
ment is expected to prove disap
pointing to France. Ever since
Versailles, the French government
has been insistent upon obtaining
some sort of a guaranty of hel
security, a guaranty of actual aic
in the case of renewed warfare.
That the United States has beer
unwilling to give, and from the
White House pronouncement il
still unwilling to give.
Two RecalcitrantS
France and Japan are now ex
pected to prove the recalcltran'
ones so far as the Roosevelt pro
gram is concerned-France be
cause of her insistence upon
security guarantee; Japan be
cause Mr.. Roosevelt's nonaggres
sion proposal strikes squarely a
Japan'S invasion of China.
If the plan fails of adoption
at Geneva, the concensus il
! Washington is that failure will b.
; due to these two countries.
The press comment in Pari
and Toxic has been almost uni
formly unfavorable.
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