Evening star., 1933-06-04
WORLD PEACE STEP TAKEN
In LETICIA AGREEMENT
Triumph Seen in Settlement of Differ
ences of Columbia and Peru Through
Diplomatic Persuasion.

ernments of Bogota and Lima had
failed. Although disavowing at first
the seizure of Leticia, which 1t laid to
Communists, the Peruvian government
had stated, later on, that 1t felt obliged
to protect its citizens occupying Leticia
and that 1t sought the modification Of
the Salomon-Lozano treaty. Colombia
had refused, of course, to engage in
any discussions concerning the treaty
before her sovereignty In Leticia had
been restored.
Unsuccessful Efforts.
The good Offices of the Brazilian gov
ernment had also been unsuccessful.
And so had been an appeal by Secre-
tary OF State Stimson reminding Peru
of its obligations under the Kellogg
BRAND pact. In the meantime, armed
hostihties between the regular troops
of Colombia and Peru had already taken
place along the Amazon River.
Thus, when Colombia formally in
voked the aid Of the League Of Nations,
the Council, after hearing both parties,
called to the attention OF the Peruvian
League it is bound to abstain from all
Intervention by force on Colombian
territory, and to take precautions that
all necessary instructions are issued to
the Peruvian commanding officers to
the end that the military forces of Peru
do not commit any act further than
required by the defense of Peruvian ter
ritory. and that they do not prevent
the Colombian authorities from exercis-
ing their sovereignty and jurisdiction
over the territory recognized by the
treaty as belonging to Colombia
Peru having replied evasively, the
Council, acting under Article XIV, para
graph 8, OF the covenant, submitted 10
both governments a proposal Tor direct
settlement Of the dispute, pending
which Leticia should be administered
Dy omcers OF the League and Colombian
troops "internationalized."
Council Takes Step.
Soon afterward, on March ls, when
the possibilities Of q direct accord had
been exhausted, the Council took the
next step. Acting under paragraph (
OF Article XIV. 1t adopted unanimously
the report Of its special committee con-
tanning recommendations for the soiu-
ton OF the controversy.
This report declared that the pres
ence OF Peruvian forces in Colombian
territory was incompatible with the
principles OF international law, and sug-
gested the complete evacuation by the
Peruvian forces of the territory con-
tained in the Leticia trapezium and the
withdrawal Of all support from the
Peruvians who have occupied that area"
It also provided for the opening of neeo-
tiations for the final settlement, ION
the basis Of the treaties In force" Of
all problems outstanding between Co
lombia and Peru, "once the first pro-
vision has been carried out"
In accordance with the Leagues cove
nant, the two countries had three
months in which to accept the recon-
mendations Of the Councils report, at
the expiration of which the latter could
apply the sanctions provided for the
emergency.
With the elimination Of Col. Sanchez
Cerro, the fiery and arbitrary head Of
the Peruvian government, who died at
the hands OF political enemy a few
weeks ago, one Of the most serious OBJ
stacles in the way Of an amicable
arrangement was removed. Following
personal conversations in Lima between
the new Peruvian president. Gen Bena-
v1des, man OF ample diplomatic ex-
perience and q special Colombian envoy,
Senor Lopez, Peru agreed to accept the
Councils report and carry out its
recommendations, already tndorsed by
Colombia.
Agreement Signed.
On March IS, Representatives of both
governments signed the peace agreement
at Geneva. This provides for the ap-
pointment, by the Council OF the League,
Of special commission which is to be
at Leticia within a period not exceed
ing 80 days. The Peruvian forces in
that region shall withdraw Immediately
upon the commissions arrival and the
commission, "in the name Of the gov
ernment Of Colombia" shall take charge
Of the administration Of the territory
evacuated.
Further on, the League commission
Is authorized to call upon military forces
OF its own selection for the preservation
OF order in the region which it Is to
control, pending final and permanent
adjustment of all Colombo-Peruvian
differences. Such forces will probably
be Colombian troops "internationalized,"
that is, under League officers. In the
meantime, all acts Of hostility are or
dered to cease on either side and the
military forces of each country directed
Ito remain strictly within its frontiers"
If this Is not step forward In the
advancement OF world peace and In sup
port OF the possibilities of international
organization-if die-hard reactionaries
or skeptical pessimists still refuse to
open their eyes to the new order of
things. that will not prove that there
Is no hope for civilization. It will only
prove that there is no hope for them.
(CopyriRht 1Q33l