FROM 7 JULY TO 7 AUGUST
EUROPEAN SECURITY NEGOTIATIONS
German Reply Favorable.—Germany’s reply to the French observations on Germany’s offer of a security pact was handed to M. Briand, French Minister of Foreign Affairs, on July 20. Germany’s latest reply again raised objections to the military obligations that would be incurred by Germany’s joining the league, and expressed objection also to the proposal that France should act as guarantor for the treaties to be negotiated between Germany and her eastern neighbors.
The note proceeds to deal with “the serious consequences,” which might arise from the form of the French proposals for the guarantee of the treaties of arbitration. Pointing out the absolute power which it is proposed to give the guarantor, the note says:
“This would mean that, should a conflict arise, it would be for the guarantor to decide which of the two contracting parties to a treaty of arbitration should be considered the aggressor, and he would have the right to decide, even if he were bound to one of the contracting parties by a special alliance. It is quite clear that the system of guarantees would by such construction be invalidated, to the sole detriment of Germany. Real pacification, as aimed at by the German Government, in concert with the Allied governments, would not be reached.
In the way of general remarks the note says: “In spite of the doubt and apprehensions here indicated, the German Government is able to observe that on essential points a significant rapprochment of views by the two sides already has taken place. The interested governments are in principle unanimous in their desire to settle the security problem on the lines Germany has suggested and by further development of the system of arbitration treaties.”
Expressing the conviction that these difficulties can be overcome, the note concludes:
“The German Government would heartily welcome acceleration of these discussions so that the urgent desire of the nations for reliable guarantees of peace and peaceful development, as well as for the restoration of the world’s normal economic relations destroyed by the war, soon may be satisfied.”
Press reports indicated a difference of position between France and Great Britain on the arbitration features of the proposed agreement. France desired that arbitration should be obligatory, and that the treaties between Germany on the one hand and Poland and Czecho-Slovakia on the other should have a guarantor; whereas the British Government appeared inclined to put Germany on an equal footing and consider her word as good as that of the Allies. A consultation of British and French ministers was planned before M. Briand made his reply.
Skill of German Note.—(By Robert Dell in Baltimore Sun of July 23).
Rarely has the Quai d’Orsay been presented with a document so difficult to answer. It is now France that is in danger of appearing as an obstacle to peace and to the conclusion of the proposed security pact.
Two passages in the German reply are particularly effective. One refers to the proposed French guarantee of arbitration treaties between Germany on the one hand and Poland and Czecho-Slovakia on the other. The skillful way in which the reply makes clear that France, in fact, proposes to act as Foreign Minister Stresemann has previously said privately, as second and umpire at the same time puts the French Government in a very difficult position.
Equally effective is the German argument relative to Article XVI of the League of Nation’s covenant, with its telling allusion to the fact that, according to the Treaty of Versailles, German disarmament is to be only the prelude to general disarmament. It is quite natural that Germany should ask for exceptional treatment as a member of the league in regard to Article XVI so long as she is in her present exceptional position.
Switzerland has, in fact, already been granted exceptional treatment in this respect because she is a neutral country.
The German reply spikes the French objection, that all members of the league must have equal rights and duties, by showing that Germany will not have equal rights until her disarmament is followed by general disarmament.
DEBT NEGOTIATIONS
Belgian Mission to United States.—The Belgian Debt Commission, consisting of Former Premier Theunis, the American Ambassador Baron de Cartier, and two leading Belgian bankers, arrived in New York on August 5. Negotiations were scheduled to begin shortly thereafter, and a speedy solution was anticipated. In a speech in the Belgian Parliament on July 15, Paul Hymans, Belgian Foreign Minister at the time of the Versailles Treaty, presented the view that the United States was under special moral obligations in regard to the Belgian debt, in view of the fact that Belgium had signed the Versailles Treaty only upon express assurance of priority of payments from Germany to Belgium and concessions regarding payment of Belgium’s debts to the Allies; and that although the Versailles Treaty was not ratified by the United States Senate, President Wilson’s signature in a measure committed the American Government. This view was not accepted by Washington officials.
The Italian negotiations with the American Debt Commission were further postponed by the departure of Ambassador de Martino for Italy early in August.
It was reported on July 30 that French debt negotiations in London had broken down, owing to the unwillingness of Great Britain to accept the French offer of annual payments of £4,000,000 plus £6,000,000 in German marks to be transferred from France’s share of payments from Germany.
Negotiations were postponed indefinitely, until after French negotiations with the United States.
FRANCE
French Success in Morocco.—Following the appointment of General Naulin as director of military operations in Morocco, under Marshal Lyautey as Minister of War to the Sultan and French Resident in Morocco, French forces began offensive operations with apparently general success.
On July 9 further agreements were signed between France and Spain, providing for a land blockade to supplement the joint naval blockade of Riff territory, and providing also for coordination of aims in the prosecution of the war, determination of political boundaries and zones of interest, and an agreement not to conclude a separate peace. Thus, even in the event of complete victory over the Riffs, there will remain the problems involved in Spanish control in Morocco and incapacity to subdue the subject population.
Peace terms were offered to Abd-el-Krim and were published in the London Times, but these were so difficult of acceptance as to support the view that they were put forward by the French Government merely to secure Socialist acquiescence for the credits needed to carry on the war. In the middle of July the Chamber voted a credit of 183,000,000 francs (about $9,000,000), the Socialists not voting and the Communists forming jthe opposition.
NEAR EAST
Greek-Bulgarian Tension.—(From Baltimore Sun of August 5).
Paris, August 4 (AP).—Greek troops were on their way to the Greeco-Bulgarian frontier today, having been dispatched by the Greek Government following the recent assassination of M. Nicolaides, a Greek citizen, at Stanimaka, Bulgaria, and allegations by Greece of terroristic acts by Bulgarians against Greeks along the border line.
Word has reached here from Athens that the government has pointed out the possibility of seizing Bulgarian frontier towns in retaliation for the killing of M. Nicolaides unless suitable reparation is made. While one report from the Greek capital is that the Bulgarian reception of the demand for reparation has not been favorable, a dispatch from Sofia, the Bulgarian capital, says that in reply to the Greek communication, Foreign Minister Kalfoff has expressed extreme regret over the assassination and promised that all measures would be taken to punish the offenders.
M Dendramis, Greek delegate to the League of Nations and Greek Minister to Switzerland, is reported in a dispatch from Geneva as saying that if the reply to the note sent from Athens to Sofia is not considered satisfactory by Greece, an appeal would be taken to the League of Nations.
Under the voluntary agreement for the exchange of populations between the two Governments, M. Dendramis explained, about 6,000 Greek residents in Bulgaria were scheduled to depart for their homeland by mid-October. In Greece he said the recent murders were looked upon as designed to terrorize the Greeks into leaving in haste, thus affording an opportunity for the confiscation of their property.
LATIN AMERICA
Latin America and the League of Nations.—(From Baltimore Sun of July 27).
Williamstown, Massachusetts, July 27 (AP).—The assertion that a growing trend toward a balance of power in the Latin-American countries must be combated by the United States to avoid the same disastrous consequences which resulted from the European balance of power was made here today by Dr. Leo S. Rowe, director general of the Pan-American Union, at Washington.
Stating that the tremendous and rapidly increasing volume of investments by this country in the Latin-American countries is creating a fear there of coming political domination, and citing the fact that the League of Nations has developed in the Latin-American republics a much greater consciousness of individuality and power, Dr. Rowe said:
“In view of the probable developments in the next twenty-five or fifty years there could be nothing worse than this country’s policy of isolation from Europe on one hand and from Latin-America on the other, by reason of the latter’s affiliation with the league.
“Such a policy would be disastrous to our domestic development and would place us on the defensive as a nation. Therefore, we have a very deep interest in fostering an American system in which we shall form a part and in which we shall be integrated as the Latin-American countries are integrated.”
Discussing remedies for the situation by closer cooperation among all the Americas, Dr. Rowe said:
“The formation of intellectual and cultural ties between this country and the other American nations is a patriotic duty and we must not lull ourselves to sleep with the thought that commercial bonds are sufficient. It is essential, also, that Great Britain, with her possessions in this hemisphere, be given a voice in the determination of Pan-American policies.
“The United States must make the Monroe Doctrine a continental doctrine, arousing the confidence of the Latin-American countries instead of their distrust as at present.”
This distrust was clearly shown, he asserted, “by the fact that disputes between Latin-American republics have been submitted to the League of Nations, which has superseded the action of the United States in securing their settlement.”
“When seventeen of the twenty Latin-American states were admitted to the league,” he went on, “it looked as if the discussion of American questions would be shifted from Washington to Geneva. There is a growing feeling that the league may serve the countries to the south of us as a counterweight to the influence of the United States.
“The fact of the overwhelming power of the United States, the fact that from a military, naval, commercial and national viewpoint our power outweighs that of all the Latin-American countries combined is alone enough to create a constant questioning as to what the United States is going to do next.
“We are beginning to realize, however,” he said, “that insofar as we can develop a unity of purpose and of policy with these countries, our influence in world affairs will be correspondingly strengthened.”
U. S. Marines Leave Nicaragua.—The 150 marines remaining in Nicaragua out of the company that Captain (now General) Smedley Butler took there in 1912 will embark tomorrow for their journey back to the United States, it was announced at the Navy Department today. They will arrive at Hampton Roads on August 17 and from there will go to the East Coast expeditionary base at Quantico, Virginia.
The marines were sent to Nicaragua under the command of Butler to quiet the reign of terror that brought to a close the sixteen years’ rule of Dictator Jose Santos Zelaya and continued after he left office. At the time it was announced that they would be kept there so long as the interests and lives of foreigners were in danger.
The “lost battalion,’’ as the marines were designated by the natives, stayed through the administration of half a dozen presidents. Several times former Secretary of State Hughes made moves to withdraw them, but each time the party in power, representing the anti-Liberal element, urged that they be retained. All the while, though, the opposition to the party in power fought against the American supervision.
This year, when the Liberals got into power with a platform of “Nicaragua for Nicaraguans,” it might have been expected that the new President, Carlos Solorzano, would wish a speedy departure of Uncle Sam’s troops—but he did not. Solorzano requested an extension of their stay and it was agreed last winter that the marines would remain until not later than September 1 to drill a native constabulary to take their place in maintaining law and order.
Since the marines went to Nicaragua the gold standard has been established, the monetary system has been reformed on the basis of the dollar and a financial organization has been built up by a committee of Americans and natives. The customs tariff was revised, the railroad was placed on a dividend paying basis and the public debt was studied and liquidated to the satisfaction of all, it is said, with the exception of about 3 per cent of the creditors.
FAR EAST
Russo-Japanese Rivalry in Manchuria.—(From The Struggle in Manchuria, by Philip Kerby, reprinted in Living Age from Japan Advertiser of May 19).
During the past six months the activity of both Russia and Japan in Manchuria to gain economic and military supremacy has been increased a hundred fold. No effort has been spared on the part of either nation to forge ahead the outposts of their separate civilizations, and it would seem that in the very near future a crisis must occur which will have an effect upon the whole of Northern Asia.
After making an extensive trip lasting more than two months and taking in nearly all of both Southern and Northern Manchuria, I firmly believe that the stage is set for one of the greatest economic battles of modern history. Whether or not it will assume proportions of open conflict, time alone can tell. Both the Soviet and Japan are making preparations for development in Manchuria on a much greater scale than ever before attempted, but both are reckoning without their host, namely, China.
The Soviet has sworn “blood allegiance” to China and is doing everything in her power to further the abrogation of the so-called “unequal treaties”—if we are to believe the statements of Comrade Karakham, first Soviet Ambassador to China in Peking. While the Soviet is metaphorically patting China on the back with one hand, she is calmly pursuing an imperialistic policy of land-grabbing and concession-hunting with the other which would have put the Tsarists to shame. The Soviet encroachments in Manchuria during the past half year are greater than at any time since the period immediately preceding the Russo-Japanese War.
Nine-Power Treaty Ratified.—Early in July France ratified the two Nine-Power Treaties relating to China which were negotiated in 1922 at the Washington Conference. Since all other powers concerned (United States, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, Portugal, Belgium, and China) had previously ratified, arrangements were made at Washington for final exchange of ratifications on August 5, and for the calling of an international conference, as provided in the treaties, to consider abrogation of an extraterritoriality (consular courts), setting up of mixed courts, withdrawal of foreign troops from China, and retrocession of leaseholds. The Nine-Power Treaties include the so-called Root resolution binding the powers to respect the sovereignty, independence, and administrative integrity of China, and to maintain the principle of equality of opportunity for all nations in commerce and industry.
Proposals to China.—(From Baltimore Sun, July 22).
Washington, July 22 (AP).—Definite proposals for settlement of pending questions growing out of the recent anti-foreign outbreak in China are expected to be transmitted to the Chinese Provisional government by the Peking diplomats in the near future.
While details are lacking, it now seems certain that the settlement formula to be presented by the Peking diplomats will embrace two distinct elements. They are:
Convocation of the Chinese customs revision conference with a minimum of delay and creation of a commission to inquire into extra-territorial matters at a date still to be fixed.
Reference of the question of responsibility for bloodshed in the recent Shanghai riots to a judicial inquiry, with the Chinese Government participating and all governments bound to abide by the findings.
Formal expressions from Japan of her desire to carry out strictly the commitments entered into with respect to China at the Washington Conference is expected to pave the way for the first step. Similar expressions from other governments are confidently expected as the result of the note proposing this course sent out by Secretary Kellogg.
China and Russia.—(From Time, July 20).
Unbiased reports from China—that is, the average of biased reports, for all communications from that once celestial land are more or less colored—seem unanimous that the root of the disturbances is due to the foreign powers which exploit China economically and dominate her politically. Bolshevik influences, which are obviously existent, found rather than caused a situation of deep discontent, which was naturally receptive of Moscow’s virulent propaganda.
But, if Bolshevism is not at the bottom of the Chinese anti-foreign movement, it is a menace capable of endless trouble in China which can be offset only by the unified action of the powers. The greatest danger is that the Chinese Government, being met with nothing from the powers (mainly Britain) but chilly demands for justice with idemnities for the Shanghai outrages, will listen readily to the friendly advances of Moscow. Undoubtedly with this in their minds, the United States, Britain, and Japan agreed to a compromise at Tokyo aimed at calming China, while at Swampscott President Coolidge insisted on a scrupulous observance of the Nine- Power Treaties, and respect for foreign lives and property by China and virtually called an international conference for the fall.
The signs in Peking were that the Chinese Government would do its best—and what that is remains to be seen—to restore quiet. How far the nationalistic students will support the central government is another speculation which appears equally impossible to hazard. Said the New York Times: “When do Chinese students study?”
Americans Killed and Captured.—(From New York Times, July 24).
Peking, July 23 (AP).—Morgan Palmer, an American, has been killed by bandits at his ranch on the Sungari River, near Harbin, Manchuria. Dr. Harvey J. Howard, an eye specialist attached to the Rockefeller Hospital in Peking, was captured at the same time.
Consular advices from Kalgan state that Mr. Palmer was killed on July 20 while defending his property against the bandits.
Mr. Palmer and his mother, Dr. Howard and his son James, and an American trader named Harold Baldwin of Kalgan, Chihli Province, together with his wife and child, were visiting Mr. Palmer’s ranch, which is in the Province of Kirin, when the attack was made.
The consular advices say that Dr. Hoard was still in captivity last night, while the others were “safe for the present,” but their whereabouts was not known.
Mr. Palmer was connected with the Salt Administration in Peking, but retired some time ago to conduct an experimental farm.