IS ENGLAND HONOURING THE KELLOGG PACT?
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] ' SIR,—Since last year's Budget the Kellogg Pact has been signed by all the Great Powers and by most of the nations of the" world, and it has recently been ratified by the United Stab* Senate. In that Pact the signatories " condemn recourse. to war " and " renounce it as an instrument of national policy." They " agree that the settlement of all df:,rutes or conflicts, of whatever nature . . . shall never be sought except by pacific means."
In God's name, then, what do we want with armaments to the tune of 1141 millions ? Do we value so lightly our own solemn adherence to that Pact and the signatures of nations ? Do we, as a nation, realize that already we are failing to honour our signature ? .If we have renounced war as an instrument of national policy, what honest justifica- tion can we find for a huge armaments budget ? Oh but,"
it will be said, " Other- nations are not disarming and therefore we cannot." It is a curious standard of morality which excuses a dishonourable action • because others are equally guilty. Armaments are the' result of fear and clistruSt. Cannot even such solerim promises as those of the Pact rid us of this fear ? Are not all' the nations waiting for some nation to give a lead ? Let our own nation say to the world; " We have signed the Pact 'end therefore we can no longer honourably continue our past- policy. A -Substantial decrease in our naval and military estimates is the proof a our deter- mination to honour the Pact." Mr. Baldwin said that it was the common people who, in the long ran, would decide whether there was to be war or not. Let the cowmen people reply to him, " You have signed the Pact in our name. We expect you to keep faith."—I am, Sir; &e.,
2 Wcaponness Park, Scarborough. Jos. S. ROWNTREE.
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