SCRAPS OF PAPER

Germany chuckled yesterday when it saw Secretary Kellogg's answer to the Briand treaty proposition which called for a signed resolution against all war between France and America. The editors of the Fatherland accused France in no uncertain terms of making a mere stage play to insure kind treatment from Congress when it comes to revise the plans for debt settlement. The return proposal from Washington that all the nations unite in signing this solemn compact for the outlawry of war took the wind out of French Sails. Their aim had been, according to their former enemies, to secure themselves by treaty with their powerful neighbors, that might allow them to use aggressive methods in gaining territorial strength at the expense of such nations as Italy. And so a flood of criticism of the answer arose in France that "painted" the foreign administration here. Unfortunately, however, this criticism was not confined to France. Bitter comments on America's "war" with Nicaragua, on her attitude toward the League, and her desire to dominate all international arrangements in which she has a part, were heard all over the world.

It is a just complaint of foreign diplomats that until this country enters the League or some similar international body, any hope of the replacement of war by arbitration will be crippled. The plan of the League has been to subdue rebellious nations by means of blockade. But this country is inaccessible, rich, and self supporting. Moreover, despite the passionate pacificism of many of its citizens who realize the butchering possibilities of another war, America calmly pursues an intensive program of military training, and will now build each year five cruisers of the type most effective for modern naval combat, to prepare herself for war with England or Japan. These factors being taken into consideration, a suggestion from the United States that war be stopped merely by the assumption of moral responsibility was not the thing to make foreign politicians chortle with delight. And when one realizes that unless the Constitution, is amended, that document alone makes illegal any higher check on the power of the President and Congress to make war, the situation seems rather hopeless.