NOTES ON INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
FROM AUGUST 10 TO SEPTEMBER 10
Prepared by Professor Allan Westcott, U. S. Naval Academy
WASHINGTON CONFERENCE
Final Acceptance of Powers.—The formal invitations issued by the United States Government for a conference on limitation of armaments and on Pacific problems were accepted by all the nations included. China's acceptance, published on August 18, took special note of the fact that China was to appear on an equality with other powers. The British note, received on August 22, expressed the hope that the conference, approached "in a spirit of courage, friendliness, and mutual understanding," would achieve far-reaching results. The reply from Tokio, published on August 24, again referred to preliminary negotiations for limiting the scope of discussions regarding the Far East. A despatch from Tokio on August 31 stated that the Japanese would insist on excluding from the agenda the following: first, the Kwang-tung leased territory; second, the operation of the Manchurian railway; third, Kiao-chau, which will be returned to China; and fourth, the question of Yap.
Premier Lloyd George, speaking in Parliament on August 18, suggested that "if the alliance with Japan could emerge into a greater understanding with Japan and the United States on all problems of the Pacific, that would be a great event which would guarantee the peace of the world." He added that the Imperial Conference had agreed that the British naval force should at least equal any other.
American Delegates.—Secretary Hughes was made the head of the American delegation for the conference in Washington, and Senator Lodge was named as a second member. In a letter on September 7, President Harding indicated that only four delegates would be named, Mr. Elihu Root and Senator Underwood completing the number.
Pan-American Building to be Used.—Secretary Hughes on August 26 accepted the offer of the Pan-American Building for the meeting place of the Washington Conference. The army and navy and other government buildings will also be used for offices of the visiting delegations.
Upon a rumor that French would not be recognized as an official language at the conference. Premier Briand declared to the French Academy on August 24 that he had received assurances to the contrary, and that the French Government could not under any circumstances take part in a conference in which the French language was not recognized. The statement of President Wilson in 1919 was recalled in this connection; advocating the recognition of English as an official language together with French, he referred to English as "the diplomatic language of the Pacific."
Negotiations over Yap.—While negotiations between the United States, Japan and other Allied powers were progressing, no settlement of the Yap cables question had been reached at the close of August. From Tokio came a report that the probable basis of agreement would allow Japan to retain the mandate over the island, give the United States control over the cable from Yap to Guam, and recognize Holland's interest in the cable between Japan, Yap, and Mendano (Dutch).
PEACE TREATY WITH GERMANY.
Treaty Signed in Berlin.—The peace treaty between Germany and the United States was signed in Berlin on August 25 by Dr. Friedrich Rosen, German Foreign Minister, and Ellis Loring Dresel, the American Commissioner. The treaty is in accord with the peace resolution adopted by Congress on July 2, 1921, and the preamble repeats the parts of this resolution relating to Germany. The remainder of the treaty follows:
Article One.—Germany undertakes to accord to the United States, and the United States shall have and enjoy, all the rights, privileges, indemnities, reparations or advantages specified in the aforesaid joint resolution of the Congress of the United States of July 2, 1921, including all the rights and advantages stipulated for the benefit of the United States in the Treaty of Versailles which the United States shall fully enjoy notwithstanding the fact that such treaty has not been ratified by the United States.
Article Two.—With a view to defining more particularly the obligations of Germany under the foregoing article with respect to certain provisions in the Treaty of Versailles, it is understood and agreed between the High Contracting Parties:
(1) That the rights and advantages stipulated in that treaty for the benefit of the United States, which it is intended the United States shall have and enjoy, are those defined in Section One, Part Four, and Parts Five, Six, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven, Twelve, Fourteen and Fifteen. The United States, in availing itself of the rights and advantages stipulated in the provisions of that treaty mentioned in this paragraph will do so in a manner consistent with the rights accorded to Germany under such provisions.
(2) That the United States shall not be bound by the provisions of Part One of that treaty, nor by any provisions of that treaty including those mentioned in Paragraph One of this Article, which relate to the Covenant of the League of Nations, nor shall the United States be bound by any action taken by the League of Nations, or by the Council or by the Assembly thereof, unless the United States shall expressly give its assent to such action.
(3) That the United States assumes no obligations under or with respect to the provisions of Part Two, Part Three, Sections Two to Eight inclusive of Part Four and Part Thirteen of that treaty.
(4) That, while the United States is privileged to participate in the Reparation Commission, according to the terms of Part Eight of that treaty, and in any other commission established under the treaty or under any agreement supplemental thereto, the United States is not bound to participate in any such commission unless it shall elect to do so.
(5) That the periods of time to which reference is made in Article 440 of the Treaty of Versailles shall run with respect to any act or election on the part of the United States from the date of the coming into force of the present treaty.
Article Three.—The present treaty shall be ratified in accordance with the constitutional form of the High Contracting Parties and shall take effect immediately on the exchange of ratifications, which shall take place as soon as possible at Berlin.
In witness whereof, the respective plenipotentiaries have signed this treaty and have hereunto affixed their seals.
Done in duplicate in Berlin, this 25th day of August, 1921.
The treaty was framed with the aim of securing for the United States all rights and privileges acquired by other nations in the Versailles Treaty, so far as desirable, while freeing her from responsibility in connection with matters of European concern. The treaty explicitly confirms the right of the United States to take part in the disposition of Germany's overseas possessions on an equality with other allied powers. From France came the suggestion that the treaty raised the need of another agreement between America and the Allies, giving American sanction to the disposition of European affairs made in the Treaty of Versailles.
Austrian and Hungarian Treaties.—A peace treaty with Austria, based on the Treaty of St. Germain much as the German treaty was based on that of Versailles, was signed in Vienna on August 24. Negotiations for a similar treaty with Hungary were also reported in progress.
LEAGUE OF NATIONS
League Council Acts in Silesia.—By a vote of the Interallied Council on August 12, following failure to reach an agreement on the Silesian problem, its settlement was left to the Executive Council of the League of Nations, the Allied Powers binding themselves to abide by the League decision. Ambassador Harvey, who was present, did not vote, but stated that since the matter was one of distinctly European concern, the President of the United States would hear with relief of its being referred "to a body with which the United States is not associated."
After discussing the Silesian question in an extraordinary session on August 29, the League Council turned it over to a special committee composed of Paul Hymans of Belgium, V. K. Wellington Koo of China, Count Quinones de Leon of Spain, and Dr. Gastoa de Cunha of Brazil.
In view of possible dismemberment of Upper Silesia, both Poles and Germans of that region got together in an agreement on August 17, pledging cooperation in the interest of their "common motherland," and favoring an undivided Silesia whether awarded to Poland or Germany.
Meeting of League Assembly.—The second Assembly of the League of Nations met at Geneva on September 5. Dr. Koo of China opened the session as temporary president and Foreign Minister A. Van Karnebeek of Holland was elected permanent president. Of the 48 countries in the League 39 were represented; the delegates of Peru, Hayti, and Costa Rica were reported on the way; and Argentina, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras, and Salvador sent no delegates. The five new nations represented were Austria, Bulgaria, Albania, Finland, and Luxembourg.
Tacna-Arica Dispute Involves Monroe Doctrine.—The League Assembly was put in a difficult position by the appeal of Bolivia that the League consider whether it could properly take up the dispute between Bolivia and Chili over Bolivia's claim for an outlet to the sea. By a treaty in 1904 between Bolivia and Chili the former country was shut off from the sea. Bolivia has demanded that the treaty be revised, claiming a just settlement would give her an outlet. Chili insisted that the question should not come before the League in any form, first on the ground that the League could not properly engage in the revision of treaties, and second, on the ground that the Monroe Doctrine prevents non-American countries from interference in questions exclusively affecting the New World.
New American Mandate Note.—At the request of the Allied Powers Secretary Hughes in August formulated a new note on mandates setting forth in detail the views of this country regarding both Class A and Class B mandates. The note reiterated the American demand for an "open door" to all powers (not merely those in the League of Nations) in all mandate territories, and the right of the United States to be consulted in all questions regarding mandates. It insisted that even though the United States did not declare war on Turkey, it aided in her defeat and therefore should have an equal voice with other powers in the disposal of former Turkish territories.
Formation of World Court.—For the 11 judgeships in the proposed world court, 91 names had been put in nomination when the League Assembly met at Geneva. Among the more prominent American nominees were Elihu Root, James Brown Scott, and John Bassett Moore. Mr. Root declined to be a candidate on account of his age. Last year the major powers blocked the principle of compulsory jurisdiction. Unless this is adopted, no case can be brought before the court without the consent of both nations concerned.
GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND
Irish Reply Unfavorable.—The Irish republican parliament or Dail Eireann met on August 16 to consider the terms presented by Premier Lloyd George after conferences with Mr. de Valera in London. Following secret sessions of the Dail Eireann, Mr. de Valera sent a note on August 24 in which he stated that the terms had been rejected by a unanimous vote. The note declared that "geographical propinquity" could not, as the British minister insisted, "impose the condition of the subordination of Ireland's rights to Great Britain's strategic interest." If this principle were followed, according to the note, no small nation such as Holland or Belgium would have the right to exist.
In reply Premier Lloyd George kept to fundamental principles. He declared that the terms were liberal beyond all precedent, were so regarded by the whole civilized world, and offered Ireland a partnership in the British commonwealth of free nations, with government by consent of the governed. He cited Lincoln's words on the impossibility of separating the North and the South, and quoted the Irish patriot Grattan who wrote, "the ocean protests against separation and the sea against union."
The final verdict of the Dail Eireann, contained in a note published on September 4, declared that the Irish people by an overwhelming majority had decided in favor of independence; that the British proposals offered Ireland "a status definitely inferior" to that of other British dominions, "dividing her into two artificial states, each destructive of the other's influence in any common council, and both subject to military, naval, and economic control by the British Government"; and finally, that Ireland was willing to continue negotiations only on the principle of "government by consent of the governed."
British Propose Another Conference.—After a meeting in Scotland the British Cabinet on September 7 sent a reply to Ireland declaring that the principle of government by consent of the governed could not be taken to mean the right of any body of people to set up any form of government it pleased, or the right of Ireland to renounce its allegiance to the Crown. The reply closed by calling for a definite answer whether or not discussions were to continue and suggesting September 20 as the date for a conference at Inverness, Scotland.
Belfast Rioting.—At the close of August, disturbances were renewed between Orange and Sinn Fein factions. Snipers on both sides shot down opponents in the streets. On August 31 there was a toll of 15 killed and scores wounded. Order was restored by reinforcements of troops.
GERMANY
Curb on Reactionaries.—At the end of August the German Government issued decrees prohibiting meetings, processions, demonstrations, and publication of periodicals likely to encourage seditious movements, and started a vigorous campaign against monarchist opposition. Several anti-republican journals were suppressed. On August 31 there was a demonstration of over 100,000 members of the Social Democratic, Independent Socialist, and Communist parties. The action of the republican government on the whole increased its strength and prestige, with a rallying of all moderate elements, including the German People's party, behind the government and in support of execution of the treaty terms. Herr Stresemann, leader of the People's party, pledged support for the republican government against "violent overturn."
Erzberger Assassinated.—On August 26, Matthias Erzberger, German Centrist politician, was shot to death by two assassins while he was walking with a companion in the Black Forest. Erzberger, after having been driven into retirement by the attacks of his opponents, had planned to reenter politics in support of the Wirth government.
AUSTRIA
Austrian Occupation of Burgenland Resisted.—The march of 8000 Austrian troops into the Mattesdorf district of Burgenland, assigned to Austria by the peace settlement, was resisted at the close of August by a large body of irregular Hungarian forces under Captain Hejas and other insurgent leaders. The advance of Austria was halted in the expectation of pressure upon Hungary by the Allied Powers.
American Aid Urged.—Paris, September 4.—Samuel Untermyer is the latest to urge that the United States remit Austria's debt for such a period as will give that unfortunate country opportunity to recover. Eight months ago the Allied Powers, through the Finance Committee of the League of Nations, began work in this direction, each promising that it would remit all claims for fifteen or twenty years, and the State Department was asked if the American Government would take a similar step with regard to the $22,000,000 which Austria owes America on account of food relief work.
Conditionally on America's replying in the affirmative, the League's Finance Committee worked out a scheme for the advancing of private loans to Austria on her national securities and with a certain control over her expenditures. That scheme has, however, never become possible, because no reply has been received from the American Government to the proposal of the committee. Some weeks ago the Council of Ambassadors was asked to approach the State Department to see if it could draw a reply; but since then nothing has been heard of the matter.—N. Y. Times, 5 September.
RUSSIA
American Relief at Work.—On August 18, Secretary Hoover, as head of the American Relief Association, was informed that an agreement had been signed at Riga by the American representative, Mr. Walter Lyman Brown, and Maxim Litvinoff, the Soviet envoy. By the terms of the agreement, the American organization secured complete control of the distribution of relief at all points in Russia. This differed from the arrangement made by Dr. Nansen on behalf of Allied relief organizations, which turned over the distribution of supplies to the Soviet Government.
At the close of August the All Russian Famine Commission headed by Maxim Gorky was dissolved, some of its members arrested, and its work taken over by the Soviet authorities. The latter claimed that certain members of the Gorky Commission planned to carry on anti-Soviet propaganda outside of Russia.
NEAR EAST
Alexander Ascends Jugoslav Throne.—Following the death of King Peter of Jugoslavia, his son Alexander ascended the throne and on August 22 issued his first royal proclamation recalling the great work of his father in the unification of the Slav peoples, and guaranteeing the constitutional rights and privileges of his citizens.
Greek Offensive Successful.—Through August and early September the Greek advance against Turkish Nationalists in Asia Minor met with continued success. The Turks evacuated Ismid on August 17. At the close of August the Greeks were in a 40-mile front before the last defenses of Angora east of the Sakaria River.
On August 10 the Allied Supreme Council decided to throw aside the Sevres Treaty and let the Greeks and Turks fight it out. The Allies declared strict neutrality, while permitting private traffic in arms with both belligerents, and taking measures to maintain control of the Straits.
LATIN AIMERICA
Panama Surrenders Territory.—On August 18, Secretary of State Hughes sent a note to Panama announcing that the United States Government had suggested to Costa Rica that it occupy, at once, the territory assigned it by the Loubet award. At the same time a battalion of marines was sent to reinforce the American troops in the Canal Zone. Finding that it was the intention of the American Government to prevent hostilities in the disputed area, Panama ordered the evacuation of Coto and it was peacefully occupied by the Costa Rican authorities. In a parting message, Foreign Minister Garay of Panama, special envoy in Washington, complained of the injustice of the American action in forcing the peaceful settlement.
According to the Porras-Anderson Treaty between Costa Rica and Panama, one Costa Rican, one Panamanian, and two American Commissioners were to be named to lay down the boundary line in accordance with the White award. Accordingly Chief Justice Taft named Prof. J. F. Hayford of Northwestern University and Prof. O. W. Leland of Cornell as the American engineers. It was regarded as probable that the Hue would be laid down, even if a representative of Panama were not named.
Favorable Mexican Oil Ruling.—On August 30 the Mexican Supreme Court handed down a decision debarring Mexican authorities from denouncing oil rights held by the Texas Oil Co. prior to May 1, 1917. This decision apparently established definitely the non-retroactive character of Article 27 of the Mexican Constitution providing for the nationalization of petroleum deposits.
President Obregon on September 1 declared a treaty with the United States "neither possible, convenient, nor necessary." As a matter of fact, the court decision lessened the need of further treaty guaranties.
A conference between American oil officials and the Mexican Government concluded on September 3 with an agreement regarding the collection of the new export tax and resumption of oil exportation.