RENUNCIATION OF WAR

Otago Witness, Issue 3886, 4 September 1928, Page 29

RENUNCIATION OF WAR

THE KELLOGG PACT. NOTABLE HISTORIC OCCASION. TREATY CONSUMMATED. RUGBY, August 27. The Pact for the Reunciation of War as an instrument of national policy was signed shortly after 3 o’clock this afternoon in the clock room of the French Foreign Office by the delegates of 15 Powers. The delegates sat at tables arranged in a horse-shoe position. This was considered a good omen. M. Briand, the French Foreign Minister, presided. On his right sat Mr Kellogg in the exact place which President Wilson occupied nearly 10 years ago during the plenary session of the Peace Conference. After M. Briand’s speech had been translated ir 1 o English, the Foreign Minister read the Pact. He then invited the delegates to sign it, and each in turn proceeded to the little oblong table upon which lay two copies of the Pact—one in French and the other in English. Each delegate affixed his signature to both copies with the golden pen which the city of Havre had presented to Mr Kellogg. Dr Stresemann signed first by virtue of his country (Allemagne) coming first in alphabetical order. Lord Cushendun signed in a dual capacity on behalf of Great Britain and countries of the British Empire not members of the League of Nations, and also on bealf of India. Mr Mackenzie King signed for Canada, and Senator M’Lachlan (Honorary Minister) for the Australian Commonwealth." Mr Cosgrave signed on behalf of the Irish Free State. Thus with sii ole ceremony this treaty of peace was consummated, but by w’ireless telephony the proceedings were heard by thousands of people in all countries, and the films which were taken will enable the scene to be witnessed by thousands of others.

M. BRIAND’S SPEECH. LONDON, August 27. “ You have the moral authority of the world behind you in this Pact,” wasthe keynote of M. Briand’s welcoming speech to Mr Kellogg and the other signatories. The Pact, he said, was inspired by the deep yearnings of the nations towards peace. Could there be offered to the civilised world a greater inspiration than that Germany, of her own free will, was signing such a document with some of her former adversaries? Further, for the first time in half a century France had the privilege of welcoming a German Foreign Minister, to whom he was glad to see that homage was being paid for his courage and force of mind in dictating this adhesion for the maintenance of peace. The League of Nations could not but rejoice at the signing of the Pact, which was offering a kind of general reinsurance. Finally, the threat of war would no longer overshadow the social, political, and economic life of the people. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE NATIONS. RUGBY, August 27. M. Briand prefaced the historic pact ceremony with a brief speech. He said he was terribly conscious that silence would best befit such a solemn occasion, but he felt it to be his duty to acknowledge how much his country appreciated Paris having been chosen as the scene of the signing of the Peace Pact. He made reference to Sir Austen Chamberlain. “ All of us,” he said, “ are thinking of Sir Austen Chamberlain who is absent to-day, and we can easil; imagine the feelings he would have had at the sight of this great reunion for peace.” What greater lesson could be offered to the civilised world, continued M. Briand, than that assembly in which, for the signing of a pact against war, Germany, of her own free will, took part on a level with her former adversaries? Dr Stresemann (as Germany’s Foreign Minister) had laboured for three years for the general principles of peace which were now involved. The League of Nations had already sough* to make progress in the same direction of peace, but it was tthe presence of the United States of America which endered that gathering so portentous. For the first time in the history of the woild war was being renounced unreservedly as an instrument of national, policy. That country which dared to break the undertaking to which its®ignature had been given would incur the unconditional condemnation of all the signatories of the Pact. The Fact was a direct blow to the menace of war.

“ Henceforth,” added M. Briand, “ we have a sacred duty to perform. The hopes raised must not be disappointed. Peace is proclaimed, bet it - still remains necessary to organise it in-* the face of

difficulties. That is to be thi work of to-morrow.” A SOLEMN OCCASION. PARIS, August 27. “ I am fully conscious that silence best befits such a solemn occasion. Thus I prefer that each statesman should simply arise and affix his signature to the greatest collective deed born of peace,” said M. Briand, in prefacing his impressive speech preceding the signing of the Kellogg Pact in the gilded clock room of the Quai d’Orsay. The scene was most picturesque, and was heightened by the striking colours of the ushers in their eighteenth century costumes of blue coats, silver epaulettes, red satin breeches, and white stockings. These, in the crimson and gold salon, with red plush chairs around the horseshoe table, w'ere thrown into dazzling relief by the glare of the white kinematograph lamps. Crowds gathered early at 1 o’clock on a perfect summer’s day along the Seine quaysides, because the prefect forbade assembling near the building. The throng was soon so dense that the trams were suspended. Mr Kellogg and his wife were obviously pleased with their reception. The former, bareheaded, bowed his acknowledgments of the people’s plaudits. The central figure of the ceremony (M. Briand) dozed peacefully till he was summoned to the Amabassador’s salon, from which he led the stately procession to the horseshoe table, in the hollow of which reposed a Louis Phillipe rosewood table bearing copies of the Pact. On the right of M. Briand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, France, sat Dr Stresemann, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Germany ; Mr Hymans, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Belgium; Signor Manzoni, Italy; Baron Uchida, Japan; M. Zaleski, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Poland; and Dr Benes, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Czechoslovakia. On M. Briand’s left were Mr F. B. Kellogg, secretary of State, United States; Lord Cusheiidun, Great Britain; Mr Mackenzie King, Prime Minister of Canada; Sir James Parr, High Commissionei - for New Zealand. Mr J. S. Smit, High Commissioner for South Africa, Mr W. T. Cosgrave, Premier of the Irish Free State; and Senator A. J. M’Lachlan, Australia. DESCRIPTION OF CEREMONY. PARIS, August 27. The Pact proceedings were most punctual. M. Briand rose at 2.2 p.m. and read his speech. Photographers noisily clambered into chairs to snapshot him, and thus shut off the view of the journalists, whose protests added to the din, momentarily drowning M. Briand’s voice. Unlike the Locarno ceremony, there was only one speech—M. Briand’s—which was delivered to the accompaniment of purring kinemas and a movietone camera, which recorded both the speech and the motion. Three fierce floodlights pouring upon the delegates particularly distressed M. Briand and Dr Stresemann. The latter constantly mopped his head. Otherwise there was no sound till the finish, when there was a burst of cheering in recognition of one of the most effective and dignified speeches in M. Briand’s career. His speech lasted 17 minutes. Afterwards it was translated into English, and then there was a bilingual reading of the Pact’s two main articles, which went on till 3,45 p.m. In alphabetical order the delegates approached the table and signed with Mr Kellogg’s go ;1 pen. Both the French and English versions were on Japanese vellum. This occupied only eight minutes, and the ceremony terminated without fuss as it begain. Milions of jvireless listeners all over Europe were rather surprised to hear the announcer state: “The formal ceremony is now over.

Whatever Dr Stresemann’s earlier feelings were, he was most delighted at the continuous cheers while he walked to the rosewood table to sign and when he returned. Mr Kellogg, who was next, nad difficulty in making the pen write. MUTUAL CONGRATULATIONS. PARIS, August 27. There was a storm of cheers as M. Briand signed the jact. After him came Lord Cushendun ; then the c.ominion representatives. When the signing was over the tenseness was released, the delegates mutually congratulating each other before hurrying to M. Briand’s official house,to take tea. Not the least interesting of the day’s preliminaries was Dr Stresemann’s 80 minutes’ interview with M. Poincare, after which both were like oysters. Everyone surmises that the ground has been prepared for reopening negotiations for the evacuation of the second Rhineland zone and a readjustment of the Dawes payments. Dr Stresemann emerged looking tired, but he posed fcr many photographs, into which M. Poincare declined to be drawn. Dr Stresemann will meet Herr Mueller (Chancellor) at Baden on Saturday to report on the interview for Herr Mueller’s guidance at Geneva, but the general impression is that there will be long-range conversations between the Wilheimstrasse and the Quai d’Orsay instead of over the teacups at Geneva.

THE GERMAN PRESS.. . BERLIN, August 27. The German press has not dlowed the pact ceremony *o pass without exploiting national grievances. One paper publishes a cartoon cf Mars telephoning to Mr Kellogg ask>g: “ Do you really think

from now on that I shall be able to live on the unemployment dole?” The Allgemeine Zeitung urges that disarmament should follow the outlawing of war and the outlawing of the spirit of \ ersailles. The newspapers systematically display a Soviet Note demanding the convening of the League Disarmament Commission. It is noteworthy that editorial comment on the ccsemony does not refer to the historical significance of the pact, THANKSGIVING SERVICES. RUGBY, August 27. Peace Pact thanksgiving services were held at practically all the churches throughout the country yesterday. The King, who is at Balmoral Castle, Scotland, attended Crathie Church. The Rev. Charles Warr, who preached, described the pact as the greatest moral and spiritual venture upon which the human race had ever embarked. Special services are being held to-day in the parish churches throughout England and in the overseas dominions. The significance of the impressive effort to promote peace on earth is being recognised in the services, at which in many instances all denominations joined. One of the most notable among the many thanksgivings services after the signing of the pact was held at St Mar-tin’s-in-the-Fields, and attended by representatives of foreign embassies, communities, and churches. The first lesson, the fourth chapter of Micah, was read :n English, French, and German, and the service was broadcast throughout the country. A largely attended thanksgiving mass was held at Westminister Cathedral. VIEW OF UNITED STATES. WASHINGTON, August 27. The rejection of the Anti-war Treaty by the United States Senate is regarded as a possibility by many observers and some officials here to-day. European diplomatic manoeuvres, characterised in certain quarters as “ intrigue,” particularly the reported secret Anglo-French naval agreement, may defeat the purpose of the treaty, it was said, and perhaps lead to the Senate’s rejection. It is believed that the French interpretations of the treaty as guaranteeing the status quo in the present European political alignment, will prove an obstacle to ratification. France’s interpretation in effect .holds that the Antiwar Pact constitutes definite approval, among other things, of the Versailles Treaty, which the United States Senate rejected.

The authorities fear that the Senate will kill Mr Kellogg’s treaty if that body takes the above view of France’s interpretation. More pertinent, however, is the reported secret naval agreement. According to the authorities, Mr Kellogg and the other officials view

the anti-war treaty as a sincere and valuable effort to build up a world peace psychology. It is reported that the Anglo-French agreement, however, is having the opposite effect, and, the officials believe, is likely to nullify the intended educational purpose of the Kellogg Pact. If the reports concerning the naval agreement are true the Administration feels that Britain and France have been at least indiscreet in entering upon an ostensibly warlike programme when they were preparing to subscribe to a treaty renouncing war. If the reports are false the authorities here hold that Paris and Loudon should immediately make this clear so that world opinion may not be led to believe that two of the leading Powers are''actively planning for war secretly while renouncing war publicly.

COMMENT BY THE PRESS. NEW YORK, August 27. A survey to-night of editorial com* meat throughout the nation regarding the signing of the outlawry of war pact shows that there is a distinct element of questioning concerning the action of the Senate when the treaty comes up for ratification. The New York Times says: “ The substance of the treaty is contained in the preamble to the League of Nations Covenant. The American people rightly or wrongly have dispensed with any serious risk of getting caught in the League’s machinery.” The article concludes : “ Time must show whether the element of doubt has disappeared from the Senate and the Chamber.” The Boston Globe states: “ Ten years • later—and we observe Europe even more receptive to American leadership. Necessity has forced a revision of their side of the treaty on the side of leniency.” The Atlanta Constitution says: “ Notwithstanding the oft-repeated statements that the treaty is meaningless there can be no doubt that it is a long step forw’ard in keeping the world on a peace basis.” The Washington Post comments: “It may be that something will be learned between now and next December that will give rise to opposition to this treaty in the Senate. There appears, at least at present, to be no reaspn why the Senate should not approve of the pact. It does not affect the Powers of Congress to declare war, and unless it is assumed that the makers of the Constitution intended to give Congress the power to make an unprovoked war against an unoffending nation it cannot justly be assumed that the treaty impairs the power, -of- Congerss to defend the United States by raising an army, providing a navy, and declaring war.” The Philadelphia.lnquirer aatfs: “Th*

peace of the world depends upon something more than national promises. There remains the testion of the reduction of arniamct yet the fact that the nations have a; I to make war a last resort will help -o dispel the atmosphere of suspicion, making preparation f<- • war inevitable.” The Los Angeles Times, after stating that disarmament is part of the structure of peace, concludes: “It remains for the peoples themselves to prove by mutual friendliness and forbearance that the world is safe for disarmament.” » INVITATION TO RUSSIA. MOSCOW, August 27. The Ambassador, M. Herbette, handed M. Litvinoff France’s formal invitation to the Soviet to adhere to the Kellogg Paet under the same conditions and privileges as the original signatores. M. Litvinoff requested a full list of the invited delegates and a copy of all diplomatic correspondence on the subject. M. Litvinoff announces that the Soviet refused to participate in the League Commission to control the production of arms. Russia had already proposed at first complete disarmament, and later partial disarmament. The latter was not even considered. The League Commission was not producing practical results. It was only creating illusions. The Soviet was still ready actively to co-operate in real disarmament. INVITATION TO LONDON. RUGBY, August 27. Mr Kellogg has written to Mr Baldwin, warmly thanking him for the British Government invitation to visit London on his way back to America. He says he hopes before very long to pay a visit to London, where he made a host of friends during his Ambassadorship. He is unable, however, to make a visit at present. NON-SIGNATORY NATIONS. PARIS, August 28. Immediately after the Pact had been signed Mr Kellogg sent a Note to all the non-signatory nations inviting their adherence. HOPES FOR SUCCESS. At a meeting of the council of the Dunedin branch of the League of Nations Union, held last week, the following motion was passed:—“That this branch of the League of Nations Union records its profound gratification at the signing of the Kellogg Treaty for the renunciation of war, by which the ratifying nations pledge themselves to the outlawry of war as an instrument of national policy, regarding such Pact as a triumph of the spirit for which the League of Nations stands and trusting that the hopes engendered by the treaty will be abundantly realised and fulfilled.” IMPORTANT MORAL EFFECT. RUGBY, August 28.

The newspapers devote much space io descriptions of yesterday’s solemn act in Paris, when the Peace Pact was signed at the Quai d’Orsay by the plenipotentiaries of 15 countries, and in the editorials high hopes are based on the promise it offers for the future of world peace. The British representative at the ceremony, Lord Cushendun, in a statement to journalists after the signatures had been appended, emphasised that the very signing of the Pact was the most significant and impresive demonstration that had ever been made of the world’s earnest desire to maintain peace and avoid war. It was a fact, he said, that by now we ought to have reached a stage in the world’s history in which we could do without war, either as an instrument of national policy, or in the settlement of disputes. The Pact would suffer only if it were burdened with extravagant interpretations, and while nobody imagined that by, the signing of this treaty war would be finally abolished, it should have an important moral effect. Referring to the attitude of Britain, whicli had been somewhat wrongly represented in many quarters, Lord Cushendun said that the British Government had been in favour of the Pact from the very first, but it desired to be quite certain as to the exact meaning of what it was asked, to sign. In this respect it had received full satisfaction in the correspondence which had been exchanged. •

Discussing the ceremony, Lord Cushendun said that the presence of Dr Stresemann at the Quai d’Orsay—seated next to the French Foreign Minister, and signing the Pact with his former antagonists only 10 years after the greatest war in history—had a significance which could not be lost upon the world. It was a twofold act of courage. Not only was Dr Stresemann actuated by the highest motives of statesmanship and political courage, but, in view of the state of his health, it was an act of physical courage also. Discussing the attitude of the United States towards the Pact, Lord Cushendun. declared that it was important that the people should realise that nothing Mr Kellogg had done or said in connection with the initiation and the completion of the Pact could be taken to > mply any modification of the traditional .American aloofness from European com{lications.. The extent to which the friited States participated in European affairs was-a matter for themselves, > and thia W’a8 z in- no way modified by the provisions or the circumstances of -the 1 Pa« 4

Referring' to the fact that he signed as the representative of the Emperor of India as well as of the King of Great Britain and the dominions and colonies that were not represented on the League of Nations, Lord Cushendun said that no people stood to benefit from the Paet more than the people of India, whose country in the past had so often been subjected to devastation. ’ SOVIET OFFICIALS PLEASED. LONDON, August 28. Most of the European capitals announces the receipt of invitations to sign the Peace Pact. A message from Moscow states that the Soviet officials are pleased with the promptness of the invitation, but prefer to study the British, French, and other reservations before giving a decision. Originally the Isvcstia (the Soviet official organ) denounced certain signatories, because it was alleged that they wanted a free hand to attack the Soviet, but pressure of public opinion has forced this journal to advise Soviet adherence to the Pact. The Polish Minister (M. Saleski) told the French press: “Our only worry is Russia. There we have no illusions. The League must take the next step to solve national, geographical, and social dangers between neighbours.” ■

TEXT OF BRITISH REPLY. REPLIES FROM THE DOMINIONS. LONDON, July 27. The British Government’s reply to Mr Kellogg’s proposals for the preservation of peace has been issued as a White Paper. The replies from Australia, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, and- the Government of India were communicated by Sir Austen Chamberlain to the United States at the same time as the British reply. I am happy to be able to inform you (the British Foreign Secretary wrote) that after carefully' studying the Note which you left with me on June 23, transmitting the revised text of the draft of the proposed treaty for the renunciation of war, his Majesty’s Government in Great Britain accepts the proposed treaty in the form transmitted by you, and will be glad to sign it at such tinie and place as may be indicated for the purpose by the Government of the United States. My Government has read with interest the explanations contained in your Note as to the "leaning of the draft treaty, and also the comments which it contains upon the considerations advanced by other Powers in theprevious diplomatic correspondence. You will remember that in my previous communication of May 19*1 explained how important it was to my Government that the principle should be recognised that if one of the parties to this proposed treaty resorted to war in violation of its terms, the other parties should be released automatically from their obligations towards that party under the treaty. I also pointed out that respect for the obligations arising out of the Covenant of the League of Nations and of the Locarno treaties was the foundation of the policy of the Government of this country, and that they' could not agree to any new treaty which would weaken or undermine these engagements. THE LEAGUE AND LOCARNO. The stipulation now inserted in the preamble 'under which any signatory Power hereafter seeking to promote its national interests by resort to war against another signatory is to be denied the benefits furnished by the treaty is satisfactory to my Government, and is sufficient to meet the first point mentioned in the preceding paragraph. His Majesty’s Government in Great Britain do not consider, after mature re flection, that the fulfilment of the obligations which they have undertaken in the Covenant of the League of Nations am. in the Treaty of Locarno is precluded by their acceptance of the proposed treaty. They concur in the view enunciated by the German Government in their Note of April 27 that those obligations do not contain anything which could conflict with the treaty proposed by the United States Governm ir.t. A GENERAL INVITATION. My Government have noted with peculiar satisfaction that all the parties to the Locarno Treaty are now invited to become original signatories of the new treaty, and that it is clearly the wish of the United States Government that all members of the League should become parties either by signature or accession. I order that as many States as possible may participate in the new movement, I trust that a general invitation will be extended to them to do so. As regards the passage in my Note of May 19 relating to certain regions of which the welfare and integrity constitute a special and vita, interest for our peace and safety, I nee-' only repeat that His Majesty’s Government in Great Britain accept the ew treaty upon the understanding that it loes not prejudice their freedom of action in this respect. RIGHT OF SELF-DEFENCE. I am entirely in accord with the views expressed by Mr Kellogg in his speech of April 28 that the proposed treaty does not restrict or impair in any way the right' of self-defence, as also with his opinion that each State alone is competent to decide when circumstances necessitate recourse to war for that purpose. In the light of the’ foregoing explanations; His' Majesty’s Government in Great Britain are glad to join with the

United States and with all other Governments similarly disposed in signing a definitive treaty for the renunciation of war in the form transmitted in your Note of June 23. They rejoice to be associated with the Government of the United States of America ano the other parties to the proposed treaty in a further and signal advance in the outlawry of war. NEW ZEALAND’S REPLY.

The New Zealand Government’s reply states that “ they will have the utmost satisfaction, in co-operation with his Majesty’s Governments in other parts of the British Empire, in joining with the Government of the United States and with all other Governments similarly disposed in signing a treaty in the form proposed.”

The Government of India “ associate themselves wholeheartedly and most gladly ” with the terms of the British Government’s Note accepting the proposals.

In his Note communicating the Australian reply, Sir Austen Chamberlain says that the Commonwealth Government accept the assurance given by the United States Secretary of State that the right of self-defence of a Signatory State will not be impaired in any way by acceptance of the proposed treaty.

The Commonwealth Government have further observed that it is stated in your Note of June 23 that the preamble to the revised treaty accords express recognition to the principle that if one signatory State resorts to war in violation of the treaty, the other signatory States will be released "from their obligations under the treaty to that State. They accept this declaration that the preamble in this respect is to be taken as a part of the substantive provisions of the treaty itself.

They have also particularly examined the draft treaty from the point of view of its relationship to the Covenant of the League of Nations, and in this connection have come to the conclusion that it is not inconsistent with the latter instrument.

His Majesty’s Government in the Commonwealth of Australia add that the foregoing are the only questions to which the proposed treaty gives rise in which they are especially interested. As the text of the treaty which has now Leen submitted is completely satisfactory to them so far as these specific points are concerned, they will be quite agreeable to signing it in its present form. The replies from the Governments of Canada and the Irish Free State, which have their own representatives in Washington, have already been despatched, and are both favourable to the American proposals. TWO POINTS. The Chronicle points out two ways in .which the cause of peace will be helped. “ First, the weakness of the League of Nations lies in the aloofness of America. America will not under any circumstances accept the commitments of tin League. But under this Treaty she is brought for the first time into a great partnership with Re nations of the world for the preservat : on of peace. It imposed no sanctions, but it vides great obligations, which nd country can neglect without breaking her undertaking to the United States “ Secondly, it is no small gain that all the emphasis should be laid upon the duty of keeping the peace rather than the duty of punishing an offender. A far more potent appeal is thus made to the moral sense of the world, and in the growth of this moral sens, lies the best hope of preserving peace. We cannot of course regard this pact as more- than an important step on a long road. But it should hearten the nations to the next step, which is reduction of armaments.”

SATISFACTION IN UNITED STATES. WASHINGTON, August 29. Administration circles have expressed considerable satisfaction at the promptness with which Greece, Peru, Rumania, Jugo-Slavia, and Denmark have unofficially intimated their acceptance of the Kellogg Treaty, and the probability is that more will do likewise in the near future. Altogether G 4 nations, comprising every country in the world (with three minor exceptions) have been invited to subscribe to the treaty or have already signed it. THREE SIGNATORIES ILL. LONDON, August 30. It is regarded as curious that the leading notables at Locarno, Sir Austen Chamberlain, M. Briand, and Dr Stresmann have all been .simultaneously seriously ill. M. Briand was long in convalescing, and it was noticed at the signing of the Pact that he was much thinner. Dr Stresemann has been ill since before the German elections. Sir Austen Chamberlain will leave Liverpool to-day on a prolonged voyage in the Pacific. He stated that he was well enough to go, but no much more. A prolonged period of overwork had drawn upon his reserved strength. He is not expected back in London before November 7. NEW EPOCH MARKED. PARIS, August 30. Accompanied by President Cosgrave, Mt Kellogg departed from Havre in the cruiser Detroit, taking with him the precious Pact. He wirelessed to M. Briand expressing appreciation of his delightful visit, adding: feel sure that the work accomplished will mark a new epoch in international relations.”

The following have notified their intention of ' adhering to the Pact: Rumania, Bolivia, Liberia, Cuba, Per» Jugo-Slavia, Denmark, Austria, Greece and Turkey. VISIT TO DUBLIN. RUGBY, August 30. Mr F. B. Kellogg (American Secretary of State) arrived at Kingstown to-day on hi 3 visit to teh Irish Free State. He was accompanied from Paris by President Cosgrave. He was most enthusiastically received. Replying to an address of welcome he said he believed that the warmth of his ■ pti nv. i:(lt tor himself but for the country which he represented, whose heart was always so close to the heart oi Ireland. He was pleased that his visit was under the auspices of Mr Cosgrave, who was returning from a momentous meeting at Paris, where he had imned in pledging bis country to the great cause of peace. Proceeding to Dublin. Mr Kellogg was received with military honours, and the freedom of the citv was conferred upon him. r Commissioner Murphy said no greater honour had com e to the citv than this of conferring its freedom upon Mr Kellogg. His act of securing trom the Powers of the world a contributiop of faith to the high cause of peace and humanity had earned for Mr Kellogg the gratitude of the whole human race for all time.

ADHERENCE TO TREATY. WASHINGTON, August 29. The State Department has received formal notice of the adherence of Peru and Liberia to the outlawry of war treaty. Santo Domingo is added to those who have signified their intention of adherence.

MUCH YET TO BE DONE. RUGBY, August 30. Lord Cushendun spoke to the British press representatives at Geneva to-day on the subject of the Peace Pact, which he signed on behalf of Britain, and on its relation to disarmament. Lord Cushendun, who recently stated that the pact is the ‘ most impressive declaration ever made by mankind of a determination to preserve th e peace,” said it would be a mistake for idealists to claim, now that the pact was signed, that every! ing was done One did not arrive at a new heaven so qu'ckly. He did not think because the nations had signed the pact that they would be justified in throwing all their armaments on the scrap heap. Disarmament was a much slower and longer task. The same remarks applied to the difficult questions vith which the League of Nations had to deal. People had not to be impatient.

RATIFICATION BY UNITED STATES WASHINGTON, August 31.

It is stated in official circles that President Coolidge is likely to ask the Senate to delay action on the Kellogg T eaty until the Navy Ship Construction Bill has been taken up and passed. President Coo lidge is contemplating presenting this re quest informally to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee before the December session, and is expected to explain that he is wholeheartedly in sympathy with the treaty, and sincerely anxious for its ratification, but he feels that the country's defence needs may be lost sight of during the debate preceding the ratification. REFERENCE IN THE CHURCHES. THANKSGILVING SERVICES HELD. Reference was made to the Kellogg Peace Pact at -most of the churches in the city on Sunday, and at First. Knox, Trinity Methodist, Hanover Street Baptist, and Dundas Street Churches special thanksgiving services for the signing of the Paet were held. MORAY PLACE. At the Moray Place Congregational Church, the Rev. Albert Mead, minister of the church, referred to the signing of the Pact in the following terms?— “ I am sure your hearts echo a thought which is in my own, that our first act of worship this morning should be an expression of thanks to God for the door which has been opened through which the world may find peace. This week the world has witnessed what may prove to be the greatest epoch-making event of all time. As Christians we welcome it. The movement has, I believe, been created by the spirit of Christ, which is surely moving amongst mankind. Men have come to see that the folly of all follies is the idea that “ war ends war.” Truly men have been sickened by the futility and ineffectiveness, the horrors and waste, of warfare, and they are seeking and yearning for some way of escape from bondage to the ideas which have too long been associated with war. As Christians we greet and must support any and every effort made towards the establishment of world-peace, and recognise the potency'bL the agreement made for the renunciation of war as an instrument of national, policy. This is not a consummation, it is only an opening of the door of opportunity. There is no world festival in the calendar, but the Pact has made one possible. It would be a great thing for the peoples of the world, if August 27 were always observed as the world’s summer festival to commemorate the day when the sunshine of peace, with all its power and promise, ' broke over the world.”

METHODIST CENTRAL MISSION.

Reference was made by the Rev. W. Walker, at the evening service at the Methodist Central Mission, to the sign? ing of the Peace Pact. The preacher first dealt with the inception of the idea foi the renunciation of war as an instrument of national policy, and then ex? plained the nature and significance of the Treaty to the congregation. It was stated that there is no greater problem facing the world to-day than that of devising ways and means for the aboli? tion of war as the final arbiter in in? ternational differences. The last war had shaken the foundation of civilisa? tion, and should there be another world war, its horrors would far transcend all the powers of imagination. Science had put powers into our hands, the misuse of which could cause devastation oil a gigantic scale. This Treaty brought America into definite co-operation with other nations in the maintenance of world peace. Through the signing of the Pact we might now look forward with confidence to a policy of disarmament through agreement.