OCTOBER 2 TO NOVEMBER 1
FRANCO-AMERICAN TARIFF DISPUTE
Temporary Accord Reached.—The exchange of notes between the United States and France as a result of the recently increased French tariff ended at the close of October in a temporary agreement. This provides for the future negotiation of a permanent commercial treaty between the two nations, and until these negotiations are completed France agrees to allow American goods to enter at the lower rate in force prior to September 6. American concessions include the promise to consider the lifting of certain agricultural, sanitary, and pharmaceutical restrictions which have operated to the disadvantage of French imports to the United States, and the ending of all further efforts to ascertain French production costs through treasury agents in France. The U. S. Tariff Commission will also consider the demand of French perfume, silk, and textile industries for lower duties based on statistics of production costs. Although France grants the lower rates, she does not surrender in principle the right to negotiate reciprocity treaties without giving the same terms to other nations.
The agreement reached at Paris ended a series of notes, the gist of which was a contention on the part of the United States for unqualified “most favored nation” treatment and replies from France to the effect that she could not be expected to grant this without concessions in return. Prior to the agreement, the U. S. Treasury Department, acting under the “flexible” provisions of the Tariff of 1922, raised the duties on French automobile parts, paper blocks, bricks, etc., as a matter of routine in view of the French increases.
MEXICO
Rebellion Put Down.—By the middle of October the revolt in Mexico, which broke out early in the month, appeared to be under the control of the federal troops. News from Mexico, however, was strictly censored. From indirect sources there were reports of friction between President Calles and General Obregon, and that President Calles was not inclined to put full faith in officers of the federal army, entrusting the campaign against the rebels principally to the Minister of War and to Jose Alvarez, Chief of the Presidential Staff.
The revolt was engineered by General Francisco Serrano, rival candidate of Obregon in the presidential campaign. It began with the mutiny of three army units in Mexico City. Within twenty-four hours Serrano and thirteen of his followers were captured and shot. General Alfonso de la Huerta, brother of ex-President Huerta, was executed on October 7. Generals Gomez and Almada, who led the revolt in Vera Cruz, were defeated on October 10 in a six-hour battle and 600 of their followers were captured, but Gomez escaped. I11 all eighty-two executions were reported.
In a statement on October 11, announcing the revolt suppressed, President Calles declared that the plot had been known to the government since the middle of August. According to Felix Palavicini, a deported Mexican newspaper editor, the rebellion was planned chiefly by Serrano and intended to prevent the election of Obregon. Obregon, according to Palavicini, will undoubtedly be the next president, though the people of Mexico are against re-election even after an intervening period. New American Ambassador.—Dwight VV. Morrow, newly appointed U. S. Ambassador to Mexico, met President Calles for the first time officially on October 29. The audience hall of the National Palace was crowded to capacity on the occasion with Mexicans and members of the American colony. In view of Mr. Morrow’s experience as a member of the firm of J. P. Morgan and Company it was generally felt that he was well fitted to deal with the problems at issue between Mexico and the United States, which are chiefly commercial and economic.
CHINA
Advance on Peking Repulsed.—The tangled web of Chinese Civil War was given a new twist, when, early in October, Yen Hsi-shan, the long neutral governor of Shansi province, undertook an advance against the Northern government in Peking. For many years, during the troubled times in China, Yen had kept his province in comparative peace, but he was believed to have Nationalist sympathies and it was known that Russian and Nationalist propaganda had recently made great progress in the province. The Shansi advance caused the temporary evacuation of the important railway post of Kalgan, west of Peking, and the capital appeared seriously threatened. Kalgan was retaken, however, by the Peking armies, and at the close of the month the indications were that Yen would make peace with Peking and join forces against Feng Yu-hsiang. Reports from Peking stated that Feng had betrayed Yen, failed to cooperate with his advance, and later was moving his own forces from Honan into the southern part of Shansi.
Dissension Among Nationalists.— The lack of unity among the Nationalists and the difficulties besetting the moderate Nationalist Government at Nanking became increasingly evident with the proclamation on October 21, of a punitive expedition from Nanking against Tang Shen-tsi, the present leader at Hankow. The proclamation denounced Tang for alleged negotiations with Peking. In the meantime the Nanking authorities, in desperate need of funds, were negotiating a $24,000,000 loan, with the official support of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce at Shanghai.
British Forces Reduced.—It was reported at the close of October that the British force of 20,000 sent to Shanghai had been gradually reduced to about 6,000, and that probably fewer than this number would remain throughout the winter.
FRANCE
Franco-Serb Security Treaty.—At the close of October the French Foreign Office gave notice that on November 15 France would sign a treaty of friendship and mutual defense with Jugoslavia. This treaty will complete the system of defense treaties inaugurated seven years ago by the Nationalist party and built up to include agreements between France and Belgium in the West and Jugoslavia, Rumania, Czechoslovakia, and Poland in the East. The treaties are regarded not as alliances but as guarantees of support in case of aggressive war by an outside power. The treaty between France and Rumania excludes a war with Russia over Bessarabia as a case for assistance from France.
SPAIN
National Assembly in Session.—The new “consultative” National Assembly in Spain organized by Premier de Rivera opened at Madrid on October 10 and has since been in session. The members of this assembly are not elected hut appointed by the government, and its duties are purely advisory. Measures proposed by the government may be debated by the assembly and returned with suggestions, hut these the ministers are free to accept or reject. Owing to the refusal of the Socialists as a body to take part in the Assembly, and the resignation of most of the Liberal appointees, the present assembly is overwhelmingly conservative, even more so than the Premier himself.
In a despatch to the New York Times of October 13, by Wythe Williams, it is stated that discontent in Spain is growing and an upheaval is feared. According to this report, King Alfonso himself was largely responsible for the ending of parliamentary government in 1923, and the establishment of a dictatorship, because he feared the open discussion of the parliamentary Committee report on Morocco which traced responsibility for military disasters in Morocco to the highest sources. The King also opposed the creation of this present assembly, but it was put through upon the Premier’s insistence.
English-Spanish Understanding.—According to an interview with Premier Primo de Rivera published in the London Times of October 9, the recent conferences between Sir Austen Giamberlain and the Spanish Premier established the basis for an Anglo-Spanish entente. The proposals made were: (1) that there should be an Anglo-Spanish entente cemented by a new treaty; (2) that Spain should cede her Morocco territory to France on the basis of some “satisfactory arrangement”; (3) that under England’s guidance Spain should regain her former important place in the European political scheme. When the question of the surrender of Gibraltar was raised in the interview, Premier de Rivera remarked that Britain would never give it up, and frankly Spain did not want it. Upon the publication of the interview, speculation centered chiefly upon the Spanish Premier’s motives in thus hastening to make public the preliminary discussions in a matter of such significance.
ITALY
Mussouni And the Church.—A possible step toward settlement of the old quarrel between the state and the Pope in Italy was seen in the publication, in the Vatican organ Osservatore Romano of October 13, of the first clear statement of the terms of reconciliation from the point of view of the Vatican. This statement declared that the Pope’s freedom from political interference demanded that he be temporal ruler of an independent state “however small.” If Italy would cede such a state, the article continued, no guarantees would be asked from foreign powers or international bodies.
The article gained significance from Premier Mussolini’s well-known eagerness to strengthen his own control by restoring friendly relations with the Vatican.
SOVIET REPUBLIC
Sessions of Soviet Parliament.—In the middle of October the All-Union Soviet Congress held a six-day session in the Urit- sky (former Taurid) Palace, Leninograd. About 1,000 delegates were present, of whom it was estimated that 309 or more
were peasants without strong affiliation with the Communists. The parliament was opened by President Kalenin, who paid tribute to Lenine, and by Premier Rykoff (President of the Council of People’s Commissars) who reviewed the last ten years’ progress of the Communist state. Trotsky and ZinoviefF, the Opposition leaders, made a dramatic appearance at the session on October 15. Premier Rykoff in his speech called attention to recent concessions to the peasants, including the release of 10 per cent more from taxes, increase of village school budget by fifteen million rubles, of provision for workers’ homes by fifteen million, and ten million for restocking farms.
In the course of October, Trotsky as leader of the Opposition group in the Communist party was expelled from the Presidium of the Central Committee of the party, and also from the Central Committee itself, because of “factional activity and indiscipline,” including establishment of underground printing plants and correspondence with renegade communists abroad. It was further resolved that these offenses should be laid before the fifteenth party congress in December. While thus ousting the opposition from party councils, the majority leaders adhered to their promise to give the opposition some opportunity to air their views before the December Congress, by granting them a small share of space in the special issue of Pravda on October 30.
Recall of Rakovsky.—On October 7, France formally requested the Soviet Government to recall its Ambassador, Christian Rakovsky, from Paris. This followed the Soviet’s disregard of two informal requests of the same character. Rakovsky’s most flagrant offense was the signing of a manifesto to soldiers of the world to support the Soviet cause, but he had also attempted to influence French politics by misrepresenting Soviet policy regarding debt payments.
BALKAN STATES
Bulgar-Serb Dispute Settled.—Reports from Sofia, on October 11, indicated that the recent difficulties between Bulgaria and Jugoslavia were moving toward an amicable settlement, and that Bulgaria’s reply to Jugoslavia’s protest of the week preceding would prove satisfactory.
Excitement was first aroused in Jugoslavia by the assassination of Brigadier General Kavachevitch, one of the ablest Serb military leaders, at his home in Istep, Jugoslavia, on September 6. The assassination was attributed to Macedonian Comitadje (irregular) bands operating across the Bulgarian frontier. Later activities of these bands were reported on both the Greek and Jugoslav borders, and Jugoslavia requested that Bulgaria take immediate steps to disband the organizations. The Bulgarian Jugoslav frontier was closed and martial law proclaimed in the border provinces. The favorable reply of Bulgaria was urged upon her by representatives of the major powers.
The activities of the Macedonian Comitadje date back to the post-war settlement when former Bulgarian territory in the Macedonian district was given to Greece and Jugoslavia. Pro-Bulgarian opponents of this settlement have since caused constant disturbance.
Tension at Bucharest.—The problem of Prince Carol’s claims to the Rumanian throne came to the front at the close of October, when the Prince separated from his mistress in Paris, challenged Premier Bratiano’s grip on Rumanian politics, and declared his willingness to answer at any time his country’s call to the throne. At the same time an alleged death-bed letter of King Ferdinand was brought forth, which pleaded with Bratiano for Carol’s succession. Premier Bratiano proclaimed martial law; arrested ex-Sccretary of State Manoilescu with letters from Carol, and summoned parliament with the avowed purpose of forcing the Peasant Opposition Party to a direct acceptance or rejection of the present disposition of the throne. At the close of the month Bratiano appeared master of the situation, and announced that the opposition party had agreed to “proceed by legal methods,” which if true would mean acceptance of the present rule for at least fifteen years, since the establishment of King Michael under the regency is sanctioned by the Rumanian Constitution until he comes of age. The head of the Peasant’s party, however, spoke strongly in parliament against Bratiano’s dictatorial methods and proposed a plebiscite on the question of the crown. There were reports also of conflict between Bratiano and the Regents over the appointment of a follower of the Premier, instead of Prince Nicholas, as head of the army.
Kemal's Oral History.—At the close of October, President Kemal Pasha delivered a speech 400,000 words in length and covering a period of six days recounting Turkish history since the war, which amounted also to a story of Kemal’s leadership. The purpose was to familiarize the Turkish people with the achievements of the present regime.
Greek President Attacked.—On October 30, Admiral Kondouriotes, president of the Greek Republic, was shot in the temple while leaving the city hall of Athens. The wound was not serious and the president returned home after hospital treatment. The assailant was a discontented worker of communist sympathies.
NEW LIGHT ON PRE-WAR POLITICS England Sought German Alliance
(New York Times)
October 10.—That Britain entered the fateful Entente Cordiale with France only after repeated efforts to achieve an Anglo- German agreement had been almost rudely defeated by Germany; that she sought Japanese cooperation in the Anglo-Japanese treaty for much the same reason and that she had no conception when she concluded the Entente with France where it would lead her, is strikingly indicated in the first and second volumes of British Documents on the Origin of the War, 1889 to 1914, published tomorrow.
Volume XI, which dealt with the period immediately preceding the outbreak of the war, was published some months ago. The present volumes go back to the earliest origins of the great conflict and deal with the end of the British policy of isolation and the Entente Cordiale and the Anglo-Japanese treaty which followed. One sees the machinery of the British Foreign Office working in the actual minutes being published.
King Edward’s Active Role
For the first time in English history the King's Minutes also are published. The King is King Edward, who it is evident played an even more active role than was suspected in the diplomatic maneuvers which bound Britain and France together in an alliance which was to withstand the shock of war. He, incidentally, was the first Englishman to suggest an entente with Russia.
The first volume tells a story never before told in detail and practically unknown. It shows how when Germany seized Kiaochau, Lord Salisbury, the British Foreign Minister, proposed that Russia and Britain pool their differences with Germany and maintain the status quo in China. Russia dallied with the proposal, but three months later seized Port Arthur, which upset the whole diplomatic apple cart. In fact as a stiff dispatch from Lord Salisbury to Russia indicated, it brought England and Russia near the brink of war.
Russia and England in March, 1898, sought and almost negotiated an alliance with Germany. Joseph Chamberlain was the moving spirit in this, but curiously enough, his intervention defeated its own purpose since he was Colonial Secretary, and the Germans were suspicious of the negotiations conducted by the Colonial instead of the Foreign Secretary. The truth was that the Foreign Secretary, Lord Salisbury, was unalterably opposed to the whole scheme.
England did, however, come to an agreement with Germany for the partition of Portugal if that country broke up, as then seemed probable, in view of the state of her finances. This news coming to the cars of Portugal, she vigorously protested and through the medium of her Ambassador, the Marquis de Soveral, who was a great favorite of King Edward’s, she induced England instead secretly to reaffirm her ancient guarantees of Portugal’s integrity.
When Germany heard of this her Government was indignant, taking the view that England was guilty of double dealing. Contrary to English apprehensions, however, Germany committed no overt act of hostility during the Boer War, and the British Ambassador to Berlin relates that the Kaiser, in the course of a visit of several hours, “did not mention the war or Naval bill, but discoursed until some time past midnight on the education of children and the works of Mark Twain and Bret Harte.”
The second volume deals with the Franco- British Entente. Britain had realized during the South African War that the Salisburian policy of splendid isolation was a dangerous one. She made another attempt to secure an agreement with Germany, the
occasion being the outbreak of the Boxer rebellion and the proposal being to maintain the status quo in China with the interesting proviso that the agreement should not bind either party to join hostilities against the United States.
However, Prince von Billow, in a speech in the Reichstag in 1891, made it evident that the agreement would not apply to Manchuria, and as it was in Manchuria that Russia was encroaching, this robbed the agreement of most of its value to England. The Germans took a high tone throughout and also insisted that Italy and Austria should be included in any agreement reached —in fact, it should be an agreement between the British Empire and the Triple Alliance.
Germany Haughty to Britain Count Motternich spoke plainly and somewhat haughtily to Lord Lansdowne, then British Foreign Secretary, concerning Britain’s unwillingness so far to commit herself, as is indicated by the published minute by King Edward:
“The King does not consider the language and arguments made use of by the German Ambassador to Lord Lansdowne as at all satisfactory.”
This rudeness had considerable effect, as England already was negotiating with Japan, and it was, in fact, one of the main causes of the Anglo-Japanese alliance. It is made evident that Britain considered the alliance would have a steadying effect on Japan, but in reality it enabled her to lock horns with Russia.
In 1893 an Anglo-German agreement was again in the wind but this time Joseph Chamberlain was against it and the British newspapers condemned it. This final failure left England face to face with France with whom she concluded an agreement in 1894.
From the published documents it appears that England thought she was merely liquidating her existing difficulties with France, not concluding an alliance which was later to bring her into war with Germany.
Of special American interest is the British account of the Manila incident between Admiral Dewey and German Vice-Admiral von Didcriehs. The commanding officer of the British ship Immortality refers to it as “a slight case of friction” which arose because the German Vice-Admiral interpreted as an assertion of the American right of search of Dewey’s action in having the Gerno right of search and the British officer man cruiser hove to and boarded to deter-advised the German Vice-Admiral that he mine her identity considered visits by blockading vessels to Dewey, however, made it clear he claimed establish identity as admissible.
Names of New Members Not Previously Published
Agncw, J. R.
Aldrin, A. G., Lieut. U.S.N.R.
Alderman, J. C.
Armstrong, L. R.
Adams, W. M.
Bush, A. R.
Bullock, Chandler Blakcslce, R. W.
Bradbury, H. G., Lieut. U.S.C.G.
Beard, F. W., Lieut. U.S.N.
Brozo, L. F., Ens. U.S.N.R.
Cook, A. G., Lieut. U.S.N.
Carney, A. G.
Connelly, W. M.
Collier, Barron, Jr.
Coward, Herbert
Cameron, D. A., Ens. U.S.N.R.
Dulles, A. W.
Dodge, W. P.
Delvig, Harry, Lieut. U.S.N.R.
Dwight, C. B.
Dargan, Milton Durrham, E. J.
Engesscr, C. A.
Egan, Martin Eklund, W. E.
Echevarria, J. E.
Fitzgerald, W. J., Lieut. Comdr., U.S.N.R. Fales, H. G., Lieut. U.S.N.R.
Foss, H. O., Lieut. U.S.N.R.
Frost, T. H.
Fleming, H. G.
Foskctt, J. H., Lieut. U.S.N.
Griscom, W. S.
Gimber, H. M. S.
Grccnough, Alfred, Lieut. U.S.N.R.
Golding, L. T.
Holt, W. C„ Lieut. U.S.N.
Hague, R. L.
Hutchinson, M. W. Jr., Lieut. Comdr. U.S.N. Johnson, W. C.
Jackson, W. B., Lieut. U.S.N.
Jeancs, I. W.
Jackson, S. A.
Johnson, E. C., Lieut. U.S.M.C.R.
Kiernan, J. C., Lieut. U.S.N.R.
Kenney, S. E., Lieut. U.S.N.
Laedlcin, R. A.
Lovejoy, R. L., Lieut. U.S.N.
Leggett, W. D., Jr., Lieut. U.S.N. Long, J. W„ Lieut. U.S.N.
Lee, G. S., Ens. U.S.N.R.
McKenzie, Milton Mullen, M.. D.
McCaffrey, J. J.
McDermott, M. J., Lieut. U.S.N.R. McDonald, J. E.
Morris, W. V., Lieut. Col. U.S.A. Merritt, J. C., Ens. U.S.N.R.
Mason, F. S.
NuDelman, J. S., Lieut. U.S.N.R. Napier, E. T., Ens. U.S.N.
Pfeiffer, P. S„ Lieut. U.S.N.R. Pagenstccher, Rudolph Passmore, Lyman, Captain, U.S.M.C. Rcmbert, Arthur, Lieut. (SC) U.S.N Rollins, P. A.
Rice, G. E. Dr.
Rhynhart, W. W.
Scarlett, W. G.
Smith, Jewett H.
Smith, Elward
Strocbcl, G. A., Ens. U.S.N.R.
Schulthcis, H. R.
Shepard, S. G.
Sanders, Harry Lieut. U.S.N.
Sborigi, G. V.
Shinkle, Vincent, Midn., U.S.N. Stout, K. L„ Midn., U.S.N.
Shank, J. L., Ens., U.S.N.
Tarbuck, R. D., Lieut. U.S.N.
Taft, C. W.
Vincent, S. A.
Wanamakcr, Rodman Wilson, J. D.
Winters, W. H.
Wolf, Richard, Jr., Lieut. U.S.N.R. Whitin, J. E.
Watt, James Willson, T. A.
Williams, Henry, Jr., Midm. U.S.N. Weymouth, A. L.
White, W. O.