The Delayed Arms Embargo . It is profoundly disappointing that
a final decision regarding the Bolivia-Paraguay arms embargo could not have been taken when the League Council held its ad- journed meeting on. Wednesday. The • United States, which is not a member of the League, acted with exem- plary promptitude. Both Houses of, Congress passed the Prohibition Bill within three days, and President Roosevelt put it into force immediately, without any of the reservations and conditions on which various Euro- pean Powers, including Great Britain, have made their signature depend. There is something to be said for using one's own consent as a lever to secure another country's consent, and continued export of arms in one quarter while export was prohibited in others would be plainly inequitable. It may be hoped that the urgent telegrams sent out on Wednesday will result in the desired united action, particularly if, as reported, Germany has come into line. But even if not, this country at all events ought to range itself beside the United States in declaring unconditional prohibition of export.. Meanwhile it is satisfactory that Paraguay has withdrawn her threat of reprisals for alleged recourse to barbaric methods of warfare by Bolivia.
