“BIG STEF TOWARDS PEACE”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 330, 16 April 1928, Page 9

“BIG STEF TOWARDS PEACE”

AMERICA’S OUTLAWRY OF WAR PROPOSAL FAVOURED IN BRITAIN British Wireless—Press Assn.—Copyright RUGBY. Monday. NEWSPAPERS publish to-day the text of the identic note communicated to the Governments of the Great Powers by the United States on the question of the possible international renunciation of war. The Note points out that the Franco-German discussions have reached a point where it is essential to secure their ultimate success. The British. German, Italian and Japanese Governments will each have an opportunity to decide the extent to which their exist ing' commitments constitute a bar to participation with America in the unqualified renunciation of war.

r JpHE Note is accompanied by a preliminary draft treaty representing, in a general way, the form of multilateral treaty the United States Government is prepared to sign. The Note refers to correspondence on the proposals with France, whose Government pointed out certain considerations which, in a multi-lateral treaty, must be borne in mind by Powers which are members of the League of Nations, parties to the treaties of Locarno, and to other treaties guaranteeing neutrality. The United States proposal has been well received by the Press, and it is recognised that it warrants immediate, careful and sympathetic examination. “The Times” says: “Mr. Kellogg’s proposal, as now addressed to the five Powers, has taken a much more precise and definite form than had seemed possible at the stage reached in the discussion with France alone. It is indeed a very remarkable fact that the United States, after long abstention from any general commitments in world politics, now submits for acceptance to the other five Powers a treaty which would bind them to absolute renunciation of war as an instrument of policy in their mutual dealings.

"If these six Powers alone found it possible to bind themselves solemnly in such an engagement, after fullest consideration of all that it would imply in the possible vicissitudes of coming years, it would, of course, mean a tremendous step forward in the pacification of the world. “The United States has generously assumed great responsibility in making an offer of a scope so far reaching, that the responsibility is shared now by those to whom the offer is formally made. Powers upon whom such depends are invited to commit themselves to a continuous policy of peace, and definitely to put war out of consideration in their mutual intercourse, an assumption upon which the United States Government lays great stress. A host of lesser nations w«uld be eager to follow so notable an example. “Since the question is so clearly put the response of Powers must be equal to the occasion.”

“For the British Government the task presents little difficulty. Peace and the prevention of war is for the whole British Empire the dominant issue.” Referring to M. Briand’s reference to the bearing on the League and Locarno on the proposed pact. “The Times” says: “It cannot be forgotten that both the League and Locarno admit the possibility of war in the last resort, as means of maintaining peace. In no sense can these commitment be regarded as implying that the States undertaking them regard war as a means of furthering their national aims. If that is admitted they are not incompatible with the acceptance of the American proposal, always provided that acceptance, while apparently enlarging the scope, does not actually weaken the effect of such serious commitments as these.” “The Times” concludes by welcoming the prospect of the great power of the United States being brought into service in such a cause, but it adds: “The British conception of a solemn engagement permits of no looking back, and we must know exactly to what we are committed. If. therefore, we ask whether the renunciation of war covers purely defensive or police measures, whether it includes or excludes League sanctions. and whether the readiness of the United States Government to sign such a treaty commits the American people in the same degree as other Powers, it is because we are sincerely anxious that the enterprise should succeed.”