Evening star., 1937-03-14
BY GASTON NERYAI
ME State Department will make
many new friends, and reassure

AAAotiy AiSN A. iSilOo dIlA CdsSS
some Of its old ones, through
out Latin America by its
emphatic denial of the impression
that the withdrawal OF the United
States Legation at Adds Ababa meant
the recognition of the Italian con-
quest Of Ethiopia.
Latin America has grown very fond
OF the doctrine of non-recognition of
territorial gains by force. Ideologically
and traditionally, it feels certain re-
sponsibility for its existence. More
pragmatically speaking. being made
up, as it is, of countries relatively
small and not individually powerful,
Latin America sees in that doctrine
a mainstay of its territorial integrity
and guarantee of safety against
outside ambitions Finally, seeking
peace within itself, that is, among
the members Of the American family
OF nations, it has recently turned to
the same doctrine as one Of the main
pillars on which the peace machinery
Of the continent is gradually being
built.
1t was not surprising, therefore,
that the impending closing Of the
United States Legation at Adds Ababa
and the placing of consular officer
in charge of United States interests
in Ethiopia should have caused mis-
givings on the other side of the Rio
Grande.
Consul Also to Be Recalled.
The official communique from the
State Department now comes to re-
lieve that anxiety. The withdrawal
of diplomatic representation in Adds
Ababa does not entail the recognition
of Italian sovereignty over Ethiopia,
explains the Department, and it adds
that the consular officer will also be
recalled at the end of the month
This attitude is in significant con-
trast with that of certain European
powers which have recently appointed
consuls in the Ethiopian capital &C.
credited to the Italian government
Latin America is thus treasured
that the largest and most influential
country in the continent has not
altered its support of the doctrine o1
non-recognition of territorial gains BY
| force and still stands on the side oi
peace, order and international law
This is most important realization
| for without the assistance of the
| United States it would become ex.
tremely difficult for the other Amer.
ican republics to preserve the lettel
and spirit OF the doctrine to which al
of them, including the United States
are irrevocably committed.
Herein lies the importance Of th<
matter. It is not only mere dis.
position for peace and long tradition
in the service OF international Law
which today spurs the nations Of tn.
New World to the defense Of thi
novel doctrine, although that was
mainly, the reason why they, .un'
hesitatingly, rushed to its supper
when it was first devised. On pre-
vious occasions we have dwelt upor
the unique contribution Of the Amer.
ican republics, during the nineteenth
and the twentieth centuries, to tn,
movement for the outlawry Of wa,
and the advancement of law amont
nations, out of which was born, amonl
other principles, the doctrine Of non
recognition of the spoils of war. How
ever, beyond this historical and. shall
we say sentimental attachment, Their
stand today definite commitments
contractual obligations, by means o
which each and every one Of tn
American republics is bound to re
spect the tenets Of that doctrine.
Leaving aside the numerous pacifis
resolutions Of various Pan American
conferences, and several other com
pactS like the Bryan arbitratio,