RENUNCIATION OF WAR.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17411, 25 May 1928, Page 11

RENUNCIATION OF WAR.

AMERICA’S PROPOSITION. TEXT OF MR. KELLOGG’S NOTE. - DRAFT TREATY. - Our cablegrams slate that Britain lias returned ii favourable reply to the American Note regarding the outlawry of war. it endorses the principle involved, hut makes certain reservations. The full text of the Note to Britain and ttie provisions of the proposed treaty are to hand by tlie last English mail. They arc as follows: — MR KELLOGG’S NOTE. As you arc aware, there lias recently been exchanged between ihe Governments of France and the United Slates a series of Notes dealing with Ihc question of a possible international renunciation of war. Tho views of tho two Governments have been clearly set forth in the correspondence between the two. The Government of the United States, as set forth in its Note of February 27, 1928, desires to see the institution of war abolished and stands ready to conclude with the French, British, German, Italian, and Japanese Governments a single multilateral treaty, open to subsequent adherence by any and all other Governments, binding tho parties thereto not toircsort to war with one another. The Government of the French Republic, while no less eager to .promote the Cause of World Peace and to co-operate with other nations in any practical movement towards that end, has pointed out certain considerations which in its opinion, must be borne in mind by those'Powers which arc members of the League of Nations, parties to the Treaties of Locarno, parties to other Treaties guaranteeing neutrality. My Government has no; conceded" that such considerations necessitate any modifications of its proposal for a multilateral treaty, and is of the opinion that every nation in the world can, with a proper regard for its own interests, as well as for the interests of the entire family of nations, join in such a treaty. It believes, moreover, that the execution by France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States of a treaty solemnly renouncing war in favour of the pacific settlement of international controversies would have tremendous moral effect and ultimately lead to the adherence of ail the other countries of the world. The' discussions which have taken place between France and the United States have thus reached a point where it seems essential, if ultimate success is to be attained, that the British, German, Italian, and Japanese Governments should each have an opportunity formally to decide to what extent, it any, its existing commitments constitute a bar to its participation with the United States in an Unqualified Renunciation of War. In these circumstances the Government of the United States, having reached complete agreement with the Government of the French Republic as lo this procedure, has instructed me formally to transmit herewith for th.e consideration of His Majesty’s Government the text of M. Briand’s original proposal of last June, together with copies of the ’Notes subsequently exchanged between France and the United States on the subject of a multilateral treaty for the renunciation of war.

I have also been instructed by my Government to .transmit herewith for consideration a preliminary draft of a treaty representing in u general way the form of treaty which the Government of Lhe United States is prepared to sign with the French, British, German, Italian, and Japanese Governments and any other Governments similarly disposed. It will he observed that the language of Articles i. and 11. of tli is draft treaty is identical with that of ttie corresponding articles in the treaty which M. Briand proposed to the United States. The Government of the United States would lie pleased to lie informed as promptly as may he convenient whether' His Majesty’s Government is in a position lo give favourable consideration lo the conclusion of a treaty such s lhat transmitted herewith, and, if not. what specific modifications in the icxt thereof would make it acceptable.

DRAFT FOR SUGGESTED TREATY. The President of the United Stales of America, the President of the French Republic, His Majesty the King of Great Britain, Ireland, and the British Dominions Beyond the Seas, Emperor of India, the President of the German His Majesty the King of Italy, His Majesty the 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 between their peoples but also to prevent war among any of the nations of the world; Desirous by formal act to bear unmistakable witness that they condemn war as an instrument of national policy and renounce it in favour of the pacific settlement of international disputes; Hopeful that, encouraged by their example, all the other nations 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 lulling the civilised nations of the world in a common renunciation of war as an instrument of their 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 of Great Britain, Ireland, and the British Dominions Beyond the Seas, Emperor of India The President of the German Empire llis Majesty the King of Italy His Majesty the Emperor of Japan Who, having communicated to one another their full powers, found 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 recourse lo war for the solution of international controversies and renounce it as an instrument of national policy in their relations with one another. Articlo 11. 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, shall never be sought except by pacific means. Article 111. The present treaty shall be ratified by the High Contracting Parties named \

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 in I o effect, as prescribed in the preceding paragraph, remain open as long as may he necessary for adherence by all tln> other Powers of the world. Every instrument evidencing 11/j adherence of a Power shall be deposited at and the treaty shall, immediately upon such deposit, become effective as between the Power thus adhering and the other Powers parties thereto. It shall be the duty of the Government of to furnish each Government named in the preamble, and every Government subsequently adhering lo this treaty, with a certified copy of the treaty and of every instrument of ratification or adherence. It shall also lie Ihe duly of the Government of telegraphically to notify such Governments- immediately upon the deposit with if of each instrument of ratification or adherence.

In faith whereof flic respective plenipotentiaries have signed this trcaly in the French and English languages, both lexis having equal force, and hereunto affixed their seals. Done at the day of in Ihe Year of Our Lord One Thousand Nine Hundred and Twenty