THE KELLOGG PACT

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 96, 17 January 1929, Page 9

THE KELLOGG PACT

RATIFIED BY UNITED STATES SENATE

BORAH READS COMMITTEE’S REPORT RIGHT OF SELF-DEFENCE The United States Senate ratified the Kellogg Pact, only one vote being cast against it. Senator Borah made the voting possible by agreeing to the demands for a report from the Foreign Relations explaining the American interpretation of the Pact. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Australian Press Association. Washington, January 15. The Senate has ratified the Kellogg; Pact. In the meantime, on the Senate floor, and before galleries crowded with women representatives of peace organisations the Democratic Senator Walsh defended the Treaty more strongly than most of its Republican adherents had done. Senator Walsh declared that the Treaty was vastly more than a feeble gesture. "It is a revolutionary pronouncement,” he said. (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) Washington, January 15.

The Pact was ratified by a vote of 85 to 1. Senator John Blaine (Republican), of Wisconsin, was the sole opponent. The vote was-taken after Senator Borah. Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, had read a report saying that the treaty in no way impaired the right of self-defence of any nation. The report declared the committee’s understanding that the Monroe Doctrine was considered a part of the nation’s security and a part of the system of self-defence. Tlie vote on the Pact was made possible by Senator Borah acceding to the Interpretationists’ demands for a report by the Foreign Relations Committee placing its construction upon the Pact. Senator Borah yielded after insisting that the report should not be considered a reservation. President Coolidge regards the Kellogg Treaty as the most important subject before the Senate during his Administration. He believes that the treaty will do more to stabilise conditions and express the sentiments of the world, as well as increase the. probability of permanent peace, than any factor within his knowledge. He regards it as an answer to any criticism that the United States has motives of aggression against any nation.

WAY OPEN FOR CRUISER BILL’ DEBATE DETERMINED FIGHT CERTAIN Australian Press Association. (Rec. January 16, 7.40 p.m.) Washington, January 15. Senator Blaine’s effort against the British correspondence was prefaced by a statement from him denying the right of the “British Empire to rule the four quarters of the globe.” Just as he had uttered these words. Sir Esme Howard, the British Ambassador, entered tlie diplomatic gallery, and seated himself. The last few. minutes of the debate were mixed and full of contrast. Many senators told why they would vote for the treaty, although they believed it would be ineffective. Senator Glass declared that he did not consider it “worth a postage stamp,” but it would be a “psychological mistake” to defeat it.

The ratification of the treaty leaves the way open for a debate to-morrow on the Fifteen Cruiser Bill. That there will be a determined fight over this measure is not doubted, in view of the Senatorial approval of the pact. Senator Swanson, ranking as a democrat on the Naval Affairs Committee, will make the opening speech on the Cruiser Bill to-morrow. After the Senate had approved the Kellogg Treaty, Senator Brookhart, an advocate of Russian recognition, addressed the body: “This country and Soviet Russia are the only two nations which have ratified this treaty. I hope these two great revolutionary countries will proceed to outlaw war throughout the world.” The vote on the treaty came with unexpected suddenness, after a private agreement that the report of the Foreign Relations Committee should contain a clause-indicating that the United States would reserve the right of self-defence and the Monroe Doctrine, and that it does not obligate the United States to use force against any nation violating the treaty. This clause is not a reservation, and merely indicates' what the Committee interprets the treaty to be. Although it was at first reported that the Senate had adopted the treaty unanimously, it is now disclosed that Senator Blaine cast a single vote against it. The last-minute effort by Senator Blaine to have the Senate express the opinion that nothing of the British or other correspondence accompanying the treaty shall be deemed a reservation, was defeated. Mr. Kellogg later said: “I am very much leased that the Senate has given Its advice to consent to the ratification of the pact without reservation, amendment or condition.”