AMERICAN OPINIONS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 445, 29 August 1928, Page 9

AMERICAN OPINIONS

ELEMENT OF DOUBT WILL SENATE RATIFY PACT? (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) It is reported in diplomatic circles that England and France are ready to resume their disarmament discussions at Geneva without further delay, as soon as the United States-signifies its willingness to accept the Anglo-French naval accord as a basis for the discussions. A survey of the comment in the Press throughout the United States on the signing of the Kellogg antiwar treaty shows there is a distinct element of doubt as to the action the Senate will take when it comes up for ratification. The “New York Times” says the substance of the treaty is contained in the preamble to the constitution of the League of Nations. The people of America, rightly or wrongly, discern a serious risk of this country being caught in the machinery of the League. The “Boston Globe” says: We observe that Europe is even more receptive than she was 10 years ago to American leadership. Necessity has forced a revision by Europe of the Versailles Treaty on the side of leniency. LONG STEP MADE The Atlanta paper, “The Constitution,” says that notwithstanding the oft-repeated statements that the treaty is meaningless there can be no doubt that it is a long step forward toward keeping the world on a peace basis. The Washington “Post” remarks: It may be that something will be learned beween now and next December that will give rise to opposition against this treaty in the Senate. At least at present there appears to be no reason why the Senate should not approve the pact. It does not affect the powers of Congress to declare war, and unless it be assumed that the makers of our Constitution intended to give Congress power to make unprovoked war against an unoffending nation it cannot justly be assumed that the treaty impairs the power of Congress to defend the United States by raising an army,

providing a navy and declaring war. The Philadelphia "Inquirer," says: The peace of the world depends upon something more than national promises. There remains the question of the reduction of armaments. Yet the fact that 15 nations have now agreed to make war the last resort will help to dispel the atmosphere of suspicion which has made preparation for war inevitable. The ‘“Les Angeles Times.” after stating that, disarmament is part of the peace structure, says: It remains for the peoples themselves to prove, by mutual friendliness and forbearance, that the world is safe for disarmament.