The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-07-16
AMERICAS NEXT
ETHIOPIAN STEP
UP TO ENGLAND
Moral Support for League
Action Against Italy
Only Move Left.
BY WILLIAM PHILIP SINTMs
sceretary American Bridge Learua

WASHINGTON, July l6.-Amer-
ica's next major step in the Italian
Ethiopian conflict depends on Great
Britain and the League of Nations.
I have put the question of inter-
vendOn in the warlike moves abroad
up 10 Administration leaders here
and TO representatives of nearly a
score Of national peace organiza-
tons. Their composite answer fol-
lows.
The people Of the United States
are vitality interested in world peace.
War anywhere may wind up by in
vo'ving us. We should do every
ing we can. Therefore. first to stave
off war and. second, keep out of it
II If comes.
But what can We do2 Britain has
given us a thinly yelled invitation to
cooperate with her. And Anglo
American cooperation would likely
prove one Of the worlds greatest
peace guarantees.
Alliance Definitely Out
But what form could this CO.
operation take? IN alliance is def
nltely out for several reasons. It is
contrary to American policy in the
rst place. Again, It would arouse
ltagonisms, fears and suspicious In
Jther parts Of the giobz
What other form is possible? A
taclt understanding To act together
when war threatens2 That sounds
all right in theory, but would it
work out in practice? For what
ever is done must be practical. Moth
ing is finer than the Kellogg pact in
theory. The only trouble is that it
does not work.
Moreover the United States tried
the united front" idea in 1881.
When Japan invaded Manchuria.
the United States, Britain. Japan.
France, Italy and four other pow
ers had signed the nine-power
treaty not to modest China. The
United States, they and 50 other na-
tons had signed the Kellogg pact.
All, save ourselves, were members
OF the League.
L. s. Left Holding Bag"
Here, we thought, was an excel
lent chance to start the world peace
machinery functioning. It was the
\frst major challenge. If Japan got
away with it, we said, others would
follow suit. The moment was truly
epochal
What happened? We sailed forth,
ike Sir Galahad We had no par
tiCular interest in Manchuria. A
principle was involved, namely the
collective peace system. Its very life
was at stake.
We sent ringing note after ringing
note to Japan, calling on her to live
up to her pledges. Japan paused.
She was waiting to see what the
other nations. and the League, ]
would do. And they did nothing
or next to nothing. , We were left /
holding the bag, and Japan, sensing
what had happened, ordered her
legiOns to resume marching.
Today Nippon. having found she
could do it with impunitv, is still
marching. And Italy, seeing what
Japan did, is about to follow in her
footsteps.
It's Up to League
What can we do row? What
should be do now? Britain, France
and the other powers of the League
must take a firm stand. I.aly is one
of the Leagues big four" France
and Britain, also big four" men,
.bers, hold Suez Canal, gateway
through which Italy's ships must
pass to reach Abyssinia.
If the League powers take any
such stand. the moral weight of the
United States will be behind them.
The United States feels it is in duty
bound. under the Kellogg pact, not
to aid any nation that repudiates its
signature thereto. Neither loans nor
supplies would likely be forthcoming
from these shores.
If the League powers back down.
the United States has already made
a diplomatic protest against the vio-
lation Of the Kellogg pact. and that
is about as far as it will go.