NOTES ON INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS FROM MARCH 23 TO APRIL 23
Prepared by Allan Westcott, Professor, U.S. Naval Academy
UNITED STATES
Lansing-Ishu Agreement Cancelled.—On April 15 notes were exchanged between the United States and Japanese governments formally confirming the cancellation of the Lansing-Ishii Agreement of 1917. This agreement recognized special interests of Japan in China, especially in Chinese territory contiguous to that of Japan. It was set aside, however, by the treaties negotiated at the Washington Conference, a result which the present exchange of notes merely confirms.
The Root-Takahira Agreement of 1908, still in effect, pledges both nations to maintain the status quo in the Pacific, equal rights for all nations in China, and Chinese independence and territorial integrity.
Rhine Army Costs Still Unsettled.—At the close of April the negotiations in Paris over settlement of the American Rhine Army claims were still unfinished. It was agreed that the $240,000,000 due should be settled in twelve annual payments, but a final hitch arose over American insistence that these payments should be given priority over payments in funds or in kind to the European allies.
United States and World Court.—According to a press report of April 19 from Geneva, Miniechiro Adachi, Japanese Minister to Belgium, who is official reporter for the Permanent Court of International Justice, and Professor Manly C. Hudson of the Harvard Law School, were at work on the details of a plan by which the United States might become, a member of the court on the terms stipulated by Secretary Hughes.
In spite of widespread criticism. President Harding in speeches and interviews adhered to his advocacy of American participation in the court. Speaking at Des Moines on April 21, Secretary Hoover also defended his policy. He declared that the chief objection was the connection of the court with the League of Nations but pointed out that, although created by the League, the court really functioned under a treaty among the powers that had submitted to the court's jurisdiction. He added that the
President's proposal did not involve submission to compulsory jurisdiction.
The "statute" of the Court provides that it may handle disputes about treaties, breaches of international obligations and reparations for such breaches, provided such disputes are submitted to it by both parties. There is also an optional clause attached to the statute, which if accepted by a nation thereby pledges that nation to compulsory jurisdiction of the Court in certain legal disputes with other nations, who also have accepted the optional clause. Eighteen nations have adopted this optional clause—although Great Britain, France, Italy and Japan are not among them. (The President's proposal for our participation in the Court does not call for adherence, to the optional clause).—Time, April 21.
LATIN AMERICA
Armament Discussion at Santiago.—The limitation of armaments negotiations at the Pan-American Conference in Santiago seem to be on the point of breaking down, owing to the hostilities of Argentina. The Expounding Secretary, Antonio Huneus, Chili, brought forward the recommendations of the Armaments Committee which provide: that the question of the limitation of armaments of South America be solved through separate negotiations between the interested nations; that the Governments declare their desire for immutable peace and against armed peace; that they adhere to the Washington naval treaties, fixing the tonnage of capital ships and establishing immunity for neutral merchant ships from submarine attack; that they adhere to the various international conventions tending to prevent and humanize war.
Brazil accepted the recommendations in principle, but Argentina said that the report did not in all respects meet with her views, and intimated that she would have something more to say at a later date.—Time, April 21.
DEADLOCK IN THE RUHR
Indirect German Proposals.—In a speech in the Reichstag on April 26, Foreign Minister von Rosenberg of the Cuno Cabinet made statements which were interpreted as indicating the terms which Germany was willing to offer for a settlement in the Ruhr. Baron von Rosenberg stated that last January Germany was prepared to offer twenty billion marks, plus such sum as might be judged reasonable by an international commission, and he thought this might serve as "a point of departure" for renewed discussions. He added that Germany was favorable at all times to the Hughes plan of settling the reparations question by a neutral commission, but that the system of passive resistance in the Ruhr would be continued indefinitely if necessary.
On the same date it was announced in Paris that exports of coke from the Ruhr to France and Belgium had reached 10,000 tons a day, plus 3,000 tons of coal, a figure which it was said would cover the expenses of the Ruhr occupation.
Speaking in the House of Commons on April 21 Lord Curzon indicated that Great Britain contemplated no immediate change from her policy of "hands off," but had suggested to Germany that she make renewed approaches to France.
At Dunkirk on April 15 Premier Poincare definitely denied any intention of annexation on the part of France, but repeated the fixed intention of the French Government to hold the occupied territory until a settlement was made. He said in part:
"The guarantees which Germany did not wish to give us and which certain of our Allies in good faith thought useless we considered necessary. What we have seen in the Ruhr has convinced us we were right.
"We hold these guarantees now: we hold them solidly, and we shall not give them up for mere promises. We will quit the occupied regions only as we are paid what is due us. Be sure that in affirming her will and in proclaiming to the world that she intends to enforce the peace Treaty France has not lowered herself in the esteem of the peoples of the world. She is grander in the eyes of all those who respect right, and those friends of ours in England and America who differed with us on the advisability of our action have been obliged to approve our motives and the legitimacy of our claims.
"The change of opinion in our favor in the United States and throughout the British Empire is certainly due in great part to the fact that we knew enough to put our hand on what Mr. Bonar Law calls the jugular vein of Germany. We do not wish to strangle anyone. We have no other ambition than to be paid and protect ourselves from financial disaster.
"The accusations of imperialism which German propaganda has been able to provoke against France in quarters too easily accessible to it are only foolish and childish. No sensible person can believe that France, which has always furthered the rights of mankind and given the fullest expression to national sovereignty, has the foolish thought of submitting foreign populations to her authority and grabbing territories against the wish of their inhabitants."
Loucheur's Visit To England.—During the first week of April former Minister Loucheur, a leader of the Moderate party in France, visited England to sound out the British attitude toward a renewed Franco-British understanding. His journey was entirely without official sanction from the Poincare Government. M. Loucheur stated on his return that he found sentiment in England swinging strongly toward France, and that he intended to bring pressure on M. Poincare to make immediate moves toward a concerted policy with England.
NEAR EAST
Allied Reply to Turkey.—At the close of March, following a conference in London, France, Italy, and Great Britain agreed upon a reply to Turkey consenting to a renewal of negotiations at Lausanne on April 23. The reply rejected the Turkish request for separate consideration of the economic clauses of the treaty, and also the request for further modification of the judicial clauses affecting foreigners. It was agreed that the question of indemnities growing out of the Turco-Greek war might be adjudged by a neutral commission. Soviet Russia is not allowed representation at the conference.
Turkish Concessions to Admiral Chester.—Early in April it was announced that the Angora Government had granted extensive railway and mining concessions, not only in Turkish territory proper but extending into the British mandate of Iraq, to the Turkish-American Development Company represented by Admiral Colby M. Chester. The concessions included railways in eastern Asia Minor running from Sivas to Angora, Samsun, Erzerum, and Van, with oil and mining rights for twenty kilometers on either side of the railways, and also grants for construction of ports, roads, canals, telegraph lines, factories, etc. The railway concessions included a line from Harput to Sulemania within the Mosul region claimed by Great Britain. In view of their extraordinarily comprehensive character the Turkish grants were regarded abroad as primarily a political move to involve the United States more directly in the negotiations at Lausanne.
The French Government protested to Turkey that the Chester concessions constituted "an unfriendly act," in conflict with French concessions based on a loan to France in April of 1914 and in conflict also with the agreement negotiated in 1921 between France and the Kemalists.
To a French note on the subject the American State Department replied that, while the United States Government intended to support all legitimate American claims, time was required to examine more fully the status of the Chester concessions before action could be taken.
Red Cross Ends Emergency Relief.—On April 2 the American State Department issued notice to the Allied Powers that American Red Cross Emergency Relief for adult refugees in the Near East would be ended on June 30. According to the note, the organization for five months had provided for approximately 868,000 refugees in Greece and islands of the eastern Mediterranean. The note requested that Great Britain, France, and Italy direct attention to the problem, and stated that if a constructive plan could be worked out for an apportionment of the task and its gradual solution, American relief agencies would be ready to co-operate even after termination of emergency relief on June 30.
GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND
Law Cabinet Threatened.—On April 10 the Bonar Law Government in England suffered an unexpected defeat in the House of Commons over a minor question, the investigation of grievances of ex-service men. Later Mr. Bonar Law issued an official statement that the Cabinet had no intention of resigning. Discussion of the reverse centered chiefly on the weakness of the present Conservative Ministry, especially in view of the Premier's ill health and inability to speak in the House, and the possibility of a new government based on the center party idea, with ex-coalition ministers included and Mr. Austen Chamberlain at the head. This, it was held, would be the only alternative to ultimate control of the government by the Labor party.
British Budget Statement.—The first budget of Chancellor of the Exchequer Stanley Baldwin was presented to the House of Commons on April 16. It stated that the Treasury had a surplus last year of about £100,000,000; that the estimated taxes and expenditures for the coming year promised a favorable balance of about £36,000,000; and that in view of these circumstances it would be possible to reduce slightly the income and profits taxes and cut the beer tax a penny a pint. The report stated that financial conditions were showing steady improvement.
Rebel Irish Leaders Captured.—On April 10, Liam Lynch, Chief of Staff of the irregular Irish forces, was captured by Free State Troops and later died of wounds. Eammon de Valera and other rebel leaders narrowly escaped. It was calculated that there were about 10,000 irregulars in Free State jails and internment camps, and that resistance was practically broken.
RUSSIA
Christian Prelates Put to Death.—Archbishop Zipliak, head of the Roman Catholic Church in Russia, and Vicar General Butchkavitsch, were condemned to death in Moscow on March 26 on charges of treacherous opposition to the Soviet Government. The Vicar General was put to death five days later by being shot in the back of the head.
The execution took place in spite of the protests of European powers, the United States, and the Pope. M. Tchitcherin replied to the protests in sharp notes referring to them as "unfriendly acts" and manifestations of an aggressive policy against Russia. He asserted the undeniable right of Russia to punish criminals according to her laws.
The trial of Patriarch Tikhon, head of the Greek Catholic Church, on similar charges, was set for April 10 but later postponed to April 24. According to a Soviet bulletin the Patriarch confessed to treasonable connection with the Kolchak and Wrangel counter-revolutionary movements.