Evening star., 1936-03-24

Japan, The Netherlands and Portugal
solemnly agreed, in written treaty.
that: The contracting powers, other
than China, agree: % To respect
the sovereignty, the independence
and the territorial and administrative
integrity Of China; CD To provide
the fullest and most unembarraSSed
opportunity to China to develop and
maintain for herself an effective and
stable government ."
Japan has deliberately and ruth
lesSly violated this treaty as well as
the covenant of the League of Ma
tions, and yet Japan ridicules the
nine powers treaty and goes on with
its plans OF conquest without inter-
ference or even condemnation, save
the protest OF our Government and
the judgment Of the League of Ma
tions that Japan is an aggressor and
has violated the covenant of the
League of Nations. That's all!
Every effort for substantial limita-
ton OF armsmentS has failed. Our
Government initiated the movement
for the limitation of naval armaments
at the Washington conference in 1921
and 1922. We can never forget the
magnificent gesture Of our Govern
ment when our Secretary of State,
upon the opening of that solemn meet
ing. voluntarily proposed that We de-
stroy seven of our new battleships
constructed and in process Of con-
struction. We destroyed our battle
ships, while other governments de-
stroyed some old ships and many blue
prints. The battleship was our chief
naval weapon, but how did other gov
ernments respond to our courageous
acts?
Other Weapons Unlimited.
France contepded that the sub
marine was the logical defense against
threatening battleships, while Great
Britain asserted that the cruiser vas
the best defense against submarines.
So. submarines and 10.000-ton cruis-
ers were not limited France would
not stand for the limitation Of air
planes and poisonous gases because
Germany was prepared. so she con-
tended, to provide quickly large guam
titles Of these weapons of war with
her peace-time factories. So, air-
planes and poisonous gases were not
limited.
Well, it would appear to q reason
able person that we had made suf-
ficient sacrifices of our national de-
fense for the cause of world peace. Not
so. Japan insisted that we should
| agree not to further fortify Guam.
the Philippins Islands and our other
possessions in the Western Pacific, and
We surrendered in the name of pea ce.
We have continued our efforts for
the Nmitat tion of naval armaments,
but they have all failed. Great Bri-
tain and Japan have, each, Just pro-
Vided the largest appropriations for
thelr navles, air forces and armies
made available since the World War.
Germany Is restoring her powerful
navy with Incompatible speed and
skill. Other European governments
are following these examples with
every resource they can command.
To-Day Europe is an armed camp, liv-
ing In an atmosphere of hatred and
fear, waiting and listening for the
sound OF the shot that will precipitate
Europe and Asia into the bloodiest
catastrophe that tine world has ever
suffered. We pity these unfortunate
peoples. 1t Is hard for us to under
stand their situation. We have no
such conditions in this hemisphere. In
Europe and Asia there are MANY races
living in congested areas and in close
contact, speaking different Languages,
having different customs, and suf-
fering from distrust and the inherent
fear OF conquests such as have been
visited upon their countries time and
again throughout the ages.
And these are some of the causes
which make for war and obstruct COL
lective action for peace, and yet all
hope has not failed. Whilst the sit
uation Is exceedingly grave, yet strong
influences are being sincerely and
powerfully exerted to prevent imme-
diate war while readjustments Of right
are undertaken and a broadened and
a more influential league of Europe
is created and organized. Every in
telligent, rational, human being prays
God that this great work may receive
its highest fulfillment.
What Is Duty Of u. S.?
What Is our duty in this grave
emergency? What can we do for the
cause OF world peace? What can we