CONSULTATIVE PACT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 31 March 1930, Page 5

CONSULTATIVE PACT

NOT FAVOURED BY AMERICA

(United Preps Association— By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright)

NEW YORK, 29th March

The ''Herald-Tribune's" Washington correspondent says the Stato Department issued tho following statement: — "There is no difference in view between the President and our delegation in London. The delegation always had and now has his unqualified support and authority. The delegation is patiently seeking to explore every suggestion made and every possibility that leads to the great purpose of the conference — that is, the reduction and limitation of naval arms and the preservation of the peace of .the world. It is his high hope that a plan for so doing can be. developed which will meet with the approval of the American people and consonant with our traditional policies and ideals." While the statement makes no mention of a consultative pact it seems clearly to rule out more formally than ever the hope of France, if it exists, that the American delegation will affix the United States' signature to such a pact. In the opinion of some observers here it proceeds beyond this strongly to indicate that in the event of the failure of a five-power pact the United States will be able to avoid the charge of contributing to its failure. WASHINGTON, 29th March. Senator Swanson stated that a consultative pact, such as was being suggested in London as a basis for a naval disarmament treaty, would bo' "a'return to the old concept of the power that controlled Europe for many years, and which was the cause of many wars and many injustices." Senator Swarison declared that such' a pact would either involve the Unified States in political obligations in Europe, or be "a snare and a delusion." »He continued; "How, will Spain, Greece, Jugo-Slavia, Turkey and Egypt, bordering on the Mediterranean view a five-power pact thus entered into? It will be better for tho United States to enter the League pf Nations, where all the nations can meet and consult for peace arid the betterment of the world. It will be better to do this than to enter a special arrangement with four European Powers. Special arrangements with nations are contrary to tho policy President Wilson advocated, and it seems to me that it will be fraught with trouble." ['■] ~>.■.<■,..