AMATEUR TREATY-MAKERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20116, 29 November 1928, Page 10

AMATEUR TREATY-MAKERS.

A member of the United States House of Representatives, with a certain official standing as chairman of the Naval Affairs Committee, has taken ifc upon himself to communicate with the British Prime Minister suggesting a conference in Canada to discuss the problem of cruiser strengths. lie has admitted acting on his own initiative, without consulting the; President or the State Department. His action, in fact, has been taken in such a way as to invite a direct snub; he is not likely to receive one, for Mr. Baldwin is too unassuming and too urbane to be drastic. The whole episode, howover, suggests the need for many people—tho United States seems especially well endowed with them—to realise th.it international questions of delicacy, involving the weightiest considerations of policy, arc not really an appropriate field for the intervention of irresponsible individuals. Whatever his official position in Congress, Mr. Britten, once lie enters the diplomatic field, is simply an individual with no responsibility and no status. During the war, amateur peacemakers tended to mako life an absolute nightmare for responsible diplomats. The letters of Walter Hines Page, written while American Ambassador in Great Britaih, arc eloquent of the difficulties well-meaning but illbalanced people could cause in this way. He could give the most direct testimony because he was most exposed to their enthusiasms. Amateur treaty-makers threaten to take their place now the war is over. If he [ had chosen to deal with a country less philosophic in its attitude toward these matters, Mr. Britten might have done positive harm. As he has made Great Britain his target, he will not do that, for the British are a tolerant people. There is no reason why the individual should not help in the promotion of peace and in the making of international agreements, but there is a proper channel of communication. Mr. Britten will probably be reminded of this, promptly and sharply. He has ignored the Senate, which is jealous j in its oversight of American foreign policy. It has nullified the efforts of Presidents to go over its head. It will have no difficulty in dealing with Mr. Britten, and has already shown a disposition to do it.