British Reply to Kellogg Outlawry of War Proposal Gives Satisfaction in U.S.A.

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6617, 23 May 1928, Page 7

British Reply to Kellogg Outlawry of War Proposal Gives Satisfaction in U.S.A.

Dominion Governments to be Invited To Become Original Parlies to Pact

Support oi Other Nations to be Encouraged

United Press Assn. —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.

Received Tuesday, 8.30 p.m.

WASHINGTON, May 21,

Canada and the Irish Free State will be directly invited to participate in the negotiations for a general anti-war treaty, and the other Dominions and India through the British Foreign Office.

All the invitations, it is understood, will be identical, and will contain statements of what has occurred in accordance with Sir Austen Chamberlain’s recommendations. A forecast indicates that the State Department’s next step may consist merely of a re-submittal of the original telegraphed treaty. The hope is that all that will be necessary can be set forth in an additional article or perhaps in a preamble confirming the understanding and interpretations reached through the Diplomatic exchanges which have occurred.

It is unknown whether an invitation to other nations to adhere may be sent before any treaty is signed. Mr. F. B. Kellogg, the Secretary of State, however, has made it clear that all Governments would be encouraged to adhere to the pact.

The State Department announced: —

‘‘ln the British Note Sir Austen Chamberlain informs this Government that His Majesty’s Government has been in communication with the Dominions and India, and has ascertained that they are all in cordial agreement on the general principle of a multilateral treaty for renunciation of war.

‘‘Sir Austen added that he felt confident that the Dominions and the Government of India were prepared to accept the invitation to participate in the conclusion of such a treaty, ‘The United States received this information with keenest satisfaction. Telegraphic instruction was to-day sent to the American Ministers at Ottawa and Dublin and the American Ambassador at London to deliver to-morrow Notes inviting the Dominion Governments and the Government of India to become original parties to a multilateral treaty for a renunciation of war. ‘‘The United States Government has proposed the simultaneous publication of the text of the invitations next Friday morning.” Further study of the British Note today by the State Department confirmed first impressions, and led to an optimism that was increased by a Paris press report that the French Government will be substantially, if not completely, in accord with Sir Austen Chamberlain’s views.

There is, however, no diminution in American opposition to the Fourth Article of the French draft treaty specifying that the contemplated convention shall not abridge the structure of all existing treaties.

The hope hero is that the British Note will stand eventually as an unqualified acceptance of the Kellogg draft.

Article Ten of the Chamberlain Note, it is now felt may be found to bo only a specific declaration of Britain’s intention to defend all its lines of communication, in which case it would amount merely to a definition of selfdefence rather than a reservation.

self-defence was inherent in any treaty. Officials to-day oppose suggestions that an international conference might bo the best means of adjusting all differences. They folt that exchange of Diplomatic communications constituted in themselves complete definitions of the understanding upon which the Powers are acting.

It was admitted, however, that if these same understandings were contained briefly and comprehensibly, possibly i in the preamble of the treaty, they would through Senate and Parliamentary ratification take on a force not contained in their present form.

Maintenance of Peace And Prevention of War Inspires Foreign Policy Aust. Press Assn.—United Service. Received Tuesday, 7.30 p.m. LONDON, May 22. The Premier, the Eight Honorable Mr. S. Baldwin, acknowledging a petition containing 100,000 signatures ashing acceptance of the 1019 standard of disarmament as a basis of general disarmament, wrote to the National Council for the Prevention of War stating that the maintenance of peace and the prevention of war inspired the whole foreign policy of the Government. He hoped, he declared, still further to reduce armaments through common 'action and agreement with other nations. If Britain alone proceeded further to disarm there was no guarantee that others would follow her example and no British Government dare run this risk. It would make her a prey to hostile forces, excite the cupidity of hostile intention, and encourage rather than prevent war. Further disarmamentary steps must be the result of the combined action of all countries. The Government will co-operate in work of this nature. But it is impossible to pledge in advance any given standard of disarmament that will be adopted.

It is pointed out that, Mr. Kellogg has already declared that the right of