NOTES ON INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS FROM JUNE 10 TO JULY 10
Prepared by Allan Westcott, Professor, U. S. Naval Academy
UNITED STATES
Peace Resolution Adopted.—Following agreement upon a compromise peace resolution by the House and Senate Conference Committee, the House on June 30 passed the resolution by a vote of 263 to 59. The resolution on July 1 was passed by the Senate by a vote of 38 to 19 and sent to the President for his signature.
The compromise resolution begins as follows:
"Joint resolution terminating the state of war between the Imperial German Government and the United States of America and between the Imperial and Royal Austro-Hungarian Government and the United States of America.
"That the state of war declared to exist between the Imperial German Government and the United States of America by the joint resolution of Congress approved April 6, 1917, is hereby declared at an end.
"Section 2.—That in making this declaration, and as a part of it, there are expressly reserved to the United States of America and its nationals any and all rights, privileges, indemnities, reparations or advantages, together with the right to enforce the same, to which it or they have become entitled under the terms of the Armistice signed Nov. 11, 1918, or any extensions or modifications thereof; or which were acquired by or are in the possession of the United States of America by reason of its participation in the war or to which its nationals have thereby become rightfully entitled; or which, under the Treaty of Versailles, have been stipulated for its or their benefit; or to which it is entitled as one of the principal allied and associated powers; or to which it is entitled by virtue of any act or acts of Congress, or otherwise."
Sections 3 and 4 make identical provisions with regard to peace with Austria-Hungary. Section 5 provides that all property of the German or Austrian Government or their citizens in the possession of the United States shall be retained until all claims against those governments shall be satisfied.
Borah Disarmament Amendment Passes House.—On June 29, following an appeal from President Harding to Congress for an expression of opinion favorable to limitation of armaments, the House by a vote of 330 to 4 adopted the Borah Amendment to the Naval Appropriations Bill requesting that the President invite Great Britain and Japan to a conference on reduction of naval expenditures. The amendment reads:
"That the President is authorized and requested to invite the Governments of Great Britain and Japan to send representatives to a conference which shall be charged with the duty of promptly entering into an understanding or agreement by which the naval expenditures and building programs of said Governments—the United States, Great Britain and Japan—shall be reduced annually during the next live years to such an extent and upon such terms as may be agreed upon, which understanding or agreement is to be reported to the respective governments for approval."
Bill to Refund Allied Debt.—Washington, June 23.—The Administration bill to enable the refunding of the obligations of the foreign governments to the United States, amounting to more than $10,000,000,000, was introduced in the Senate to-day by Senator Penrose, Chairman of the Finance Committee. The bill is intended to clothe Secretary of the Treasury Mellon with sweeping authority to refund the obligations of the foreign governments and to adjust claims of the United States against foreign governments. It is broad enough to permit the Secretary of the Treasury to receive bonds and obligations of "any foreign government" in substitution for those now or hereafter held by this government.
Senator Penrose introduced the bill at the request of President Harding, who in turn acted at the instance of Secretary Mellon. Senator Penrose gave the measure his endorsement and announced that the Finance Committee would give a public hearing to Secretary Mellon and Treasury experts next Wednesday morning at 10.30.—N. Y. Tribune, June 23, 1921.
Washington, June 23.—The debts of foreign governments to the United States, as shown in tables accompanying Secretary Mellon's letter to the President, are:
Country Amount owing
Great Britain $4,166,318,358
France $3,350,762,938
Italy $1,648,034,050
Belgium $375,280,147
Russia $192,601,247
Poland $135,661,660
Czechoslovakia $91,179,528
Serbia $51,153,160
Rumania $36,128,494
Austria $24,055,708
Greece $15,000,000
Esthonia $13,999,145
Armenia $11,959,917
Cuba $9,025,500
Finland $8,281,926
Latvia $5,132,287
Lithuania $4,981,628
Hungary $1,685,835
Liberia $26,000
Total $10,141,267,585
Dutch Refuse Oil Concessions.—The Hague, June 23 (Associated Press).—The Dutch Government to-day made public its reply to the American Government's note of May 27 protesting against the policy of the Netherlands with respect to the exploitation of the Djambi oil fields in the Dutch East Indies.
The Dutch Government, the note said, was unable to admit that its bill passed by Parliament closing the Djambi fields to participation by Americans in the oil industry, was contrary to the principle of reciprocity. This theory, it declared, arose from the supposition that after Djambi there would be no more oil fields in the Dutch Indies to exploit. Moreover, the Dutch Government objected to its policy toward foreign nations being represented as less liberal than that of the United States. The contrary, the note said, was rather the case.
In any event, the note declared, a country pursuing a policy of carrying out real reciprocity could not obtain its object by decreeing unilaterally some sort of regime depriving subjects of countries not adopting identical measures of rights connected with the matter concerned.
Japanese in United States.—The racial composition of the population of the United States in 1920, as announced recently by the Census Bureau, shows the country to contain 94,822,431 white persons, 10,463,013 negroes, 242,959 Indians, 111,025 Japanese, 61,686 Chinese and 9,485 others. The Japanese race exceeded by far the rate of growth in the last ten years of all other classes.
Unofficial estimates of the increase in the number of Japanese in the United States, particularly on the Pacific Coast, were borne out in the official tabulation, which revealed a rate of expansion of 53.9 per cent during the decade of 1910-1920. California absorbed 30,596 of the total growth of 38,868 Japanese in this period. On Jan. 1, 1920 there were 71,952 Japanese in California. The remainder of the increase was distributed largely in the States of Washington, where 17,388 now make their home; Oregon 4,151 and Utah, Colorado and New York with between 2,000 and 3,000 each.
The white population showed only a 16 per cent expansion for the decade and the negro 6.5 per cent. The Indian and Chinese groups dwindled 8.6 per cent and 13.8 per cent respectively.
UNITED STATES AND LATIN AMERICA
Mexican Oil Decrees Enforced.—On July 1 President Obregon's recent decrees became effective which repealed the law of 1917 and put in force increased export duties on petroleum. According to a statement made by the Standard Oil Company, these taxes amount to practically 100 per cent of the value of the product. The Standard Oil Company suspended operations following the enforcement of the decrees, and it was expected that other companies would do the same. According to a provision of President Obregon's decrees, companies closing down without justification must indemnify employees.
The Mexican Chamber of Deputies on June 29 dropped discussion of Article XXVII of the Mexican Constitution relating to oil concessions, indicating that no changes in the law would be made during this session of the chamber. Two American naval vessels, the cruiser Cleveland and gunboat Sacramento, arrived in Tampico on July 8, as a protection to Americans in the event of trouble over the shut down of oil operations, but they were subsequently ordered to their regular stations.
Panama Appeal Disregarded.—Washington, June 30.—After consideration of the appeal presented by the Garay Mission from Panama, Secretary Hughes has decided that the United States cannot recede from its position that the White award in the boundary dispute between that country and Costa Rica must be accepted.
Senor Narciso Garay, Foreign Minister of Panama, who headed the mission, called at the State Department this afternoon and it is understood that he was then told of the decision.
Senor Garay, in his presentation of Panama's objections to the White award, suggested that a league of American nations be formed and asked to mediate the dispute between Panama and Costa Rica. If this plan proved impracticable, it was suggested that the United States might bring pressure to bear upon Costa Rica to accept the Panama view. A third proposal made by Garay was that Panama and Costa Rica get together through the good offices of the United States and reach a new understanding. All these suggestions seemed not feasible, in the opinion of Mr. Hughes.
The United States gave Panama two months to accept the White award. The time limit will expire July 2 and it is expected that an announcement of acquiescence will be made soon. If no announcement is made acquiescence may be indicated by the appointment of a commission of engineers to co-operate with a similar commission of Costa Rican engineers in delimitation of the boundary.
Nicaragua Would Join Federation.—Tegucigalpa, Honduras, July 3.—The Federal Council of the Central American Republics, comprising representatives of Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, has given out a communication from the Nicaraguan Foreign Office, in which Nicaragua urges that the signatories of the Compact concluded recently at San Jose, Costa Rica, take action toward a settlement of the obstacles which have prevented Nicaragua from becoming a member of the Union. Nicaragua proposes that the members of the union name conditions to form a basis for negotiations.
Nicaragua's step comes as a complete surprise, as that country flatly rejected the Central American Treaty and retired from the San Jose conferences. Nicaragua explained that she could not agree to Salvador's demand that Nicaragua abrogate the Bryan-Chamorro treaty with the United States, on the ground that the treaty violated the Constitution of the Central American Federation.—N. Y Times, May 7, 1921.
Reassurance to Santo Domingo.—On June 28 the U. S. State Department issued a supplementary explanation of the recent proclamation regarding the withdrawal of American military forces from the Dominican Republic. The explanation points out that the Dominican delegates to negotiate a treaty are to be selected by the Dominican Congress as soon as it is elected; and that the stipulation that all acts of the Military Government shall be ratified before withdrawal is essential to insure recognition of financial obligations by the new government. The validating stipulation does not mean, however, that the regulations of the Military Government shall be continued as the law of the republic.
GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND
Attempted Negotiations with Irish Leaders.—Following the royal opening of the Ulster Parliament, Premier Lloyd George on June 25 sent letters to the Ulster Premier Sir James Craig and to Eamon de Valera, President of the Sinn Fein Irish Republic, making "a final appeal in the spirit of the king's words for a conference with representatives of Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland to explore to the utmost every possibility of settlement." Sir James Craig, after summoning the Ulster Cabinet, accepted the invitation and was in London on July 5. Mr. de Valera made a non-committal preliminary reply on June 28, stating that he wished first to hold a conference of Irish leaders in Dublin. At this conference, opened at the Mansion House in Dublin on July 4, de Valera and Arthur Griffith, the founder of Sinn Fein, were present, and also four Southern Unionists. Later Lord Middleton, one of the Unionists at the Conference, went to London. General Smuts came to Dublin on July 5 and entered into negotiations with de Valera.
De Valera Agrees to Confer.—On July 8 Mr. de Valera sent the following letter accepting Premier Lloyd George's invitation to a conference:
"Sir: The desire you expressed on the part of the British Government to end the centuries of conflict between the peoples of these two islands and to establish relations of neighborly harmony is the genuine desire of the people of Ireland.
"I have consulted with my colleagues and received the views of the representatives of the minority of our nation in regard to the invitation you have sent me. In reply I desire to say that I am ready to meet and discuss with you on what basis such a conference as that proposed can reasonably hope to achieve the object desired.
Eamon de Valera."
The British authorities in Ireland declared a truce to begin on Monday July 11.
British Imperial Conference.—The Imperial Conference of British Premiers was opened on June 20 by Premier Lloyd George. In his speech he paid tribute to the faithfulness of Japan as an ally and emphasized the importance of a satisfactory settlement of problems in the Pacific and Far East. Referring to disarmament he declared, "We are willing to discuss with American statesmen any proposal for the limitation of armaments that they wish to set out." General Smuts in a strong speech on June 21 emphasizing the need of world peace said, "the most fatal mistake of all would be a race of armaments against America." Lord Curzon on June 23 gave a full statement of the main lines of British foreign policy.
Anglo Japanese Treaty.—Later sessions of the Imperial Conference, held behind closed doors, were devoted chiefly to the question of renewal of the Anglo Japanese Alliance. Arguments were advanced both for and against renewal, the Canadian premier speaking against and the Australian premier in favor of its continuance. In the meantime, according to notice given to the League of Nations by both powers, the treaty unless renewed would lapse on July 13. Arrangements were made with Japan, however, by which opportunity was afforded before definite renewal for fuller consultation with the dominion governments and also with the United States. Premier Lloyd George announced in Parliament on July 7 that he was awaiting replies to inquiries directed to China and the United States, but expected to make a full statement on the question by July 10.
Possible Conference of Pacific Powers.—London July 8 (Associated Press).—Great Britain, it was stated here to-day in a quarter usually possessed of reliable information is believed to have made overtures to the United States, Japan and China on the possibility of a conference to discuss the whole Eastern situation.
If this is correct, it is pointed out, it might explain what Mr. Lloyd George, the Prime Minister, meant when he stated in the House of Commons that he was awaiting replies from America and China before making a statement to the House Concerning the Anglo-Japanese treaty.
Official circles declined to comment on the nature of any communications with the United States, China or Japan, but it was said in those circles that it would be reasonable to assume that these countries would be fully sounded before Great Britain would show her hand.—N. Y. Times, July 9, 1921.
ITALY
Change of Cabinet.—The Giolitti Ministry resigned on June 27 following a vote in the Chamber on the Government Foreign Policy in which the government was supported by the narrow margin of 234 to 200. Opposition came from both extreme Nationalists and Socialists. Signor Bonomi, President of the Chamber, was requested to attempt the organization of a new cabinet, and on July 4 announced a ministry drawn entirely from parties of the center. Signor Bonomi takes the post of Premier and Minister of the Interior, and the Marquis della Torrente becomes Minister of Foreign Affairs.
LEAGUE OF NATIONS
Council Meeting at Geneva.—The thirteenth session of the Council of the League of Nations met at Geneva on June 17 and closed on June 28. Previous to the meeting, a note was sent to the United States calling the attention of that government to its failure to act on the invitation of the League to send American delegates to attend the discussion of Class A and B mandates.
Vilna Dispute Unsettled.—M. Paul Huymans, the Belgium representative, offered a settlement of the dispute between Poland and Lithuania on the basis that Vilna be made an autonomous district under an international military commission, the Polish troops evacuating the city and turning its protection over to a force of 5000 local militia. The two powers concerned, however, were unable to agree upon these terms, and the settlement is therefore left over until the meeting of the League Assembly in September.
Aland Islands to Finland.—After a hearing of rival claims the League of Nations Council, confirming the report of the commission of which the American Abram I. Elkus was a member, on June 24 decided that the Aland Islands should remain under the soverignty of Finland, but that they should be neutralized under guarantees to be agreed upon between Finland and Sweden, the two nations contending for control.
International Court.—The League Council in June invited Messrs. Elihu Root, John Bassett Moore, Oscar S. Straus, and Judge George Gray to act as a committee to name four persons (not more than two Americans) as candidates for judges of the proposed international court of justice. The final choice of the eleven judges of the court will be made by the Assembly of the League in September. It is said that the two American candidates, if named, will certainly be chosen.
AUSTRIA
Scandinavian Bankers Offer Aid.—Paris, June 23,—A powerful group of Scandinavian bankers has come to the rescue of Austria and has agreed to provide the credits necessary for the rehabilitation of that country if the Allies will forego their indemnity claims on the Vienna Government for 20 years. Great Britain and France already have agreed to withhold their demands for that length of time, but Italy has not yet assented and is holding out primarily, according to reports here, in order to drive a better bargain with the Allied Powers. Italy wants a larger share of the German indemnity under the Treaty of Versailles than has been agreed upon and now is seeking to use the Austrian situation as a lever to gain her ends.
Italy's share of the entire German indemnity is 10 per cent. She thinks this should be augmented at the expense of the shares of other Allies if the Rome Government is willing to delay collection of its claims on Austria.
The Scandinavians decided to undertake the restoration of Austria after they had heard the report of a Danish banker, Glueckstadt, who investigated the situation. The plan they have worked out provides for the retirement of the paper money now in circulation in Austria and the issuance of new currency in limited amounts. The bankers demand liens on the country's internal revenues as a guarantee for the credits granted and insist upon other measures, all of which are acceptable to the Austrian government in its present plight.
With the growth of a policy in both England and France of not standing in the path of reconstruction in Europe, it is believed here that Italy will fall in line and will assent to the postponement of her Austrian claims. It is regarded as hardly likely that the Allies will yield to Italy any greater share of German indemnity moneys.
French acquiescence in the Scandinavian reconstruction scheme is in direct line with Premier Briand's recently announced policy of favoring assistance for both Germany and Austria wherever possible in order to assure the reconstruction of the continent. The French Premier believes that European peace depends upon the stabilization of international affairs.—N. Y. Times, June 24, 1921.
America Asked to Postpone Claims.—Paris, July 1.—The Council of Ambassadors addressed to-day to the Government of the United States a note asking if America would agree to postpone for 20 years her claims against the Austrian Government. These claims, amounting to some $20,000,000, relate to food relief advances.—N. Y. Times, July 1, 1921.
FRANCE
Leipsic Mission Recalled.—Paris, July 8.—On the ground that the German trials of German war criminals are a mockery the French Government has withdrawn its mission to the Leipsic court, thus washing its hands of the procedure, and has notified the Allied Governments of its action.
It is understood that the French Government will ask the Allies to return to the Treaty plan and demand that Germany hand over the accused men for trial by Allied tribunals. It is not the purpose of the French Government to obtain the trial of some six or seven hundred accused Germans, but it believes that at least four or five prominent offenders should be punished for the sake of principle.
This move by the French Government was taken after the acquittal of General Stenger, accused by the French of having given an order to take no prisoners, and after insults to the French mission at Leipsic.—N. Y. Times, July 9, 1921.
GREECE AND TURKEY
Constantinople Threatened.—On June 19 the Allied Powers sent an offer to Greece to attempt mediation between the Greeks and Turkish Nationalists. King Constantine's Government found it impossible to surrender its aggressive policy in Asia Minor and still retain prestige. The offer was refused, but the long-prepared-for Greek offensive was indefinitely postponed.
Great Britain declared continued neutrality in the Greek-Turkish conflict, but notified the Turkish Nationalists that any attempt against Constantinople would be resisted by the Allies. A Greek squadron of 25 vessels was permitted to operate in the Black Sea cutting off supplies from Russia. On June 28 the Greeks evacuated Ismid on the railway only 56 miles east of Constantinople, thus making possible a Turkish advance toward Constantinople, and opening up a situation calculated to involve the powers controlling the straits.
Attitude of Allies.—Paris, June 30.—With the opening of the new Anatolian war between the Greeks and the Turkish Nationalists and following the evacuation without a fight of Ismid by the Greeks yesterday, the French Government, it is understood, to-day sent a note to the British Government asking what action London proposed if Kemal's troops marched on Constantinople, now held by British and French troops, with British and French warships in the roads.
The situation is just this: The Allied ships can prevent any passage of Kemal's men over into Constantinople. There is no question of that. But should the Allied garrison in Constantinople endeavor to block a movement by Kemal from Ismid toward the straits opposite Constantinople they would run grave danger of defeat. In these circumstances the French are inclined to believe the time is ripe for an understanding between England and France as to what they intend to do in the face of a possible attack.
There are a good many reasons for believing Kemal will not now try to capture Constantinople, because to do so against British and French resistance might force both nations, or at least England, to help the Greeks. However, possession of Constantinople is one of the planks of Kemal's platform, and it is possible, though not considered here strongly probable, that extremists might push an attack.
Tonight the Temps makes the highly important statement that at the discussion during the recent London conference of revision of the Sevres Treaty the British Government agreed to a possible eventual evacuation of Constantinople by Allied troops with the establishment on the end of the Peninsula of Gallipoli of a sort of allied Gibraltar which would control the Straits. The Temps asks if the British Government is in that frame of mind now, for that would make a great difference should Kemal's generals think they could take the city.
The Temps says the French Government believes the Allies should firmly notify Greece that they wash their hands of the whole new war and that Greece must shoulder the entire responsibility alone since King Constantine will not agree to mediation. The French also wish a decision by the Allies that neither side may use any territory held by Allied troops as a base of operations. This naturally is aimed at the Greeks.—N. Y. Times, June 30, 1921.