OUTLAWRY OF WAR

Taranaki Daily News, 23 May 1928, Page 9

OUTLAWRY OF WAR

ACCEPTANCE BY BRITAIN DOMINIONS AND INDIA AGREE SATISFACTION IN AMERICA FRENCH OUTLOOK HOPEFUL By Telegnph—Press Assn —Copyright. Australian Press Association. Received May 22, 8.25 p.m. Washington, May 21. “In 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 multi-lateral treaty for the renunciation of war,” announces the State Department. “Sir Austen added that he felt confident the Dominions and the Government of India were prepared to accept the invitation to participate in the conclusion of such a treaty. The United State, received this information with the 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 multi-lateral treaty for the renunciation of war. The United States Government has proposed the simultaneous publication of the text of the invitations next Friday morning.” All the invitations, it is understood, will be identical, and will contain statements of what has occurred in accordance with Sir "Austen Chamberlain's re-

commendations. A forecast indicates that the State Department’s next step may consist merely of resubmittal of the original treaty. The hope is that all that will be necessary can be set forth in an additional article, or perhaps in the prea ruble, 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. Kellogg, however, has made it clear that all governments would be encouraged to adhere to the pact. Further study of the British Note today by the State Department confirmed the first impressions and led to Optimism that was increased by Paris Press reports that the iFrench Government will bo substantially, if not completely, in accord with Sir Austen Chamberlain’s views.

There is, however, no diminution in American opposition to tho fourth article of the French draft treaty, specifying that the contemplated convention shall not abridge the structure of all existing treaties. The hope here is that the British Note will stand eventually as an unqualified acceptance of Mr. Kellogg’s draft. Article Id of Sir Austen Chamberlain’s Note, it is now felt, may be found to be 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 selfdefenee rather than to a reservation. It is pointed out that Mr. Kellogg has already declared that the right of selfdefence was inherent in any treaty. Officials to-day oppose the suggestion that an international conference might be the best means of adjusting all the differences. They felt that an 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 comprehensively, possibly in the preamble of the treaty, they would, through Senate and Parliamentary ratification, take on a force not contained in their present form. CRITICISM OF BRITISH REPLY. “CHILLINESS OF LEGAL TERMS.” Australian Prees Association. London, May 21. The diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Telegraph regrets that Britain not eend Washington a brief Note v. .fole-heartedly accepting Mr. Kellogg’s pioposal without reservations, adding a memorandum to which British legal experts would have placed their reading of the American draft, and thus have avoided the chilliness of legal arguments tending to obscure the cordiality with which the British Government welcomes Washington’s initiative and promises to support it to the utmost of its power. The correspondent asks: “What is Sir Austen Chamberlain’s definition of Britain’s Monroe doctrine concerning Egypt The Daily Herald describes the reply as a deeply disturbing document, inasmuch as Sir Austen Chamberlain lays down a drastic series of limitations and reservations following trie lead set by Phris. The Note is not likely to satisfy America, or the growing opinion in Britain, which demands more than lip service to vague ideals of peace <iad disarmament.

The Times says the British reply to the American proposals is at once cordial and reflective. Tho aim of the British Note is clearly to advance the movement. Its serious and reflective character greatly adds to the force of the declaration of cordial acceptance. The importance of the occasion is en hanced by the fact that the whole Br : - tish Empire speaks with one voice. This is a new international entei prise. TEXT OF AMERICAN PROPOSALS. DRAFT FORM OF IHE TREATY. The following is a copy of the Ameri can proposal as submitted by the United States Ambassador to Britain, Mr. A. B. Houghton, on April 14, to the British Foreign Secretary, Sir Austen Chamberlain:— The President of the United States of America, the President of the French Republic, His Majesty vl:e King of Great Britain, Ireland and tho British Dominions Beyond the Seas, Emperor of India, the President of the German Empire, Hie Majesty ihe King of Italy, His Majesty •he Emperor of .Japan Deeply sensible that their high office imposes upon them a solemn duty to promote the welfare of mankind; Inspired by a common desire not only to perpetuate the peaceful and friendly

relations now happily subsisting betweei their peoples, but also to prevent war among any of the natia.is of the world; Desirous by formal act to bear unmistakable witness that they condemn war as an instrument cf national policy and renounce it in favour of the pacific settlement of international disputes; Hopeful that, encouraged by their example, all the other actions of the world will join in this humane endeavour and, by adhering to the present treaty as soon as it comes into force, bring their peoples within the scope of its beneficent provisions, thus uniting the civilised nations of the world in a common renunciation of war as an instrument of thtir national policy; Have decided to conclude a treaty and, for that purpose, have appointed as their respective plenipotentiaries the President of the United States of America, the President of the French Republic, His Majesty the King oi Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions Beyond the Seas, Emperor of India, the President of the German Empire, His Majesty the King of Italy, His Majesty the Emperor of Japan w ho, having communicated to one another their full powers, feund in good and due form, have agreed upon the following articles: Article I.—The High Contracting Parties solemnly declare, in the name of their respective peoples, that they condemn i ecourse to war for the solution of international controversies and renounce it as an instrument of national policy in their relations with one another.

Article ll.—The High Contracting Parties agree that the settlement or solution of all disputes or conflicts of whatever nature or of whatever origin they may be, which may arise among them, shail never be sought except by pacific means. Article HI. —The present treaty shall be ratified by the High Contracting Parties rained in the preamble in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements, and shall take effect as between them as soon as all their several instruments of ratification shall have been deposited at ... . This treaty shall, When it has come into effect as prescribed in. the preceding paragraph, remain open as long as may be necessary for adherence by all the other Powers of the world. Every instrument evidencing the adherence of a Power shall be deposited at . . . and the treaty shall, immediately upon such deposit, btcoine effective as between the Power thus adhering and the other Powers perries hereto. It shall be the duty of the Government of ... to furnish each Government named in the preamble, and every Government subsequently adhering to this treaty, with a certified copy of the treaty and of every instrument of ratification or adherence. It shall also be the duty of the Government of . . . Telegraphically to notify such Governments immediately upon the deposit with it oi each instrument of ratification or adherence.

In faith whereof the respective plenipotentiaries have signed this treaty in the French and English languages, both texts having equal force, and hereunto affixed their seals.