Evening star., 1936-12-06

ments, produced IN chief part by
previous conferences, as well as
through "the draft convention CO.
ordinating the existing treaties
between the American states and
extending them in certain re-
spects," which the delegation of
the United States Is presenting
for the consideration Of this con-
ference.
In these virtually all of the es-
sentials of adequate machinery are
present. If their operation Is some
what implemented by provisions In
the draft proposal have Just mem
toned to be considered by this
conference. such machinery would
be complete.
The first of these is the treaty
to avoid and prevent conflicts be-
tween the American states, which
was signed in Santiago in 1923.
The second is the treaty for the
remuneration Of war, known as the
Kellogg-Briand pact, or the Pact
of Paris, signed at Paris in 1928.
The third Is the general conven-
tion Of inter-American concilia-
ton, signed at Washington in 1929.
The fourth is the general treaty
Of inter-American arbitration,
signed at Washington in 1929.
The fifth is the anti-war treaty
of non-aggression and conciliation,
signed at Rio de Janeiro in 1898.
While the Montevideo conference
In 1888 went on record In favor Of
the valid execution of these five
agreements by each of the 81 gov
ernments represented, several have
not yet completed this ratification.
These agreements provide q
many-sided and flexible function
ing machinery for the adjustment
of difficulties that may arise in
this hemisphere. A government
could not give more tangible proof
of its readiness to translate into
practicable form its desire to pro-
mote and to maintain peace.
Swift Ratification
OF Agreements Urged.
Swift action by all of us to ratify
these agreements should be the
natural assertion Of our intentions.
Fourth. If war should occur, any
peace program must provide for
the problem then presented.
For the belligerent there is the
ruin and suffering Of war. For
the neutras there is the task of
remaining neutral, Of not being
too disturbed in their own affairs,
Of not having their own peace
imperiled, Of working in common
to restrict the war and bring 1t to
an end.
Can we In this conference work
out for ourselves common line Of
policy that might be pursued dur
ing a period of neutrality? Some
first broad approaches toward that
end are. I think, possible.
II these are to be sound, they
must be inspired by the determine
ton to stay at peace. When in
terests are challenged, when minds
are stirred, when entry into war
in some particular juncture may
appear to offer to some country
the chance of national advantage,
then determination Is needed to
retain neutrality.
The maintenance Of neutrality
Is an achievement to be attained
more readily If undertaken Jointly.
Such agreement would be a tre-
mendous safeguard for each Of US.
It might be Q powerful means Of
ending war.
When we have done all that
seems to be possible in extending
and perfecting an integrated and
permanent mechanism for preserv-
ing peaceful relations among our
selves, and when we have placed
in operation these various instru-
ments, the 81 republics of this
hemisphere will have given overt
expression to the most determined
will for peace to be found in the
world today.
In the face of weakening else
where in the world of reliance on
and observance of international
agreements, we shall have pro-
claimed our firm intention that
these peaceful instruments shall
be the foundation of relations be-
tween nations throughout this
whole region.
If we can endow peace with Ger.
tainty, if we can make it glow
In our part Of the world, then we