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Press Releases, vol. XVII, p. 399
Declaration Adopted by the
Conference at Brussels On November 24, 1937 [36a]
The Nine Power Treaty is a conspicuous
example of numerous international instruments by which the nations of the world
enunciate certain principles and accept certain self denunciatory rules in
their conduct with each other solemnly undertaking to respect the sovereignty
of other nations, to refrain from seeking political or economic domination of
other nations, and to abstain from interference in their internal affairs.
These international instruments constitute a
framework within which international security and international peace are
intended to be safeguarded without resort to arms and within which international
relationships should subsist on the basis of mutual trust, good will and
beneficial trade and financial relations.
It must be recognized that whenever armed
force is employed in disregard of these principles the whole structure of
international relations based upon the safeguards provided by treaties is
disturbed. Nations are then compelled to seek security in ever in creasing
armaments. There is created everywhere a feeling of uncertainty and insecurity.
The validity of these principles cannot be destroyed by force, their universal
applicability cannot be denied and indispensability to civilization and
progress cannot be gainsaid.
It was in accordance with these principles
that this Conference I was called in Brussels for the purpose, as set forth in
the terms of I the invitation issued by the Belgian Government "of
examining in conformity with article seven of the Nine Power Treaty, the
situation in the Far East and of studying peaceable means of hastening an end
of the regrettable conflict which prevails there."
Since its opening session on November 3rd the
Conference has continuously striven to promote conciliation and has endeavored
to secure the cooperation of the Japanese Government in the hope of arresting hostilities and bringing about a
settlement.
[36a] Other documents
relating to the proceedings are contained in Department of State Conference
Series 37 (pub. 1232), The Conference of
Brussels, November 3-24, 1937, Convened in Virtue of Article 7 of the Nine-Power Treaty of Washington
of 1922 (Washington,
Government Printing Office, 1938).
393
DOCUMENTS
The Conference is convinced that force can
provide not just and lasting solution for disputes between nations. It
continues to believe that it would be to the immediate and the ultimate
interest of both parties to the present dispute to avail themselves of the
assistance of others in an effort to bring hostilities to an early end as a
necessary preliminary to the achievement of a general and lasting settlement.
It further believes that a satisfactory settlement cannot be achieved by direct
negotiation between the parties to the conflict alone and that only by
consultation with other powers principally concerned can there be achieved an
agreement the terms of which will be just, generally acceptable and likely to
endure.
This Conference strongly reaffirms the
principles of the Nine Power Treaty as being among the basic principles which
are essential to world peace and orderly progressive development of national
and international life.
The Conference believes that a prompt
suspension of hostilities in the Far East would be in the best interests not
only of China and Japan but of all nations. With each day's continuance of the
conflict the loss in lives and property increases and the ultimate solution of
the conflict becomes more difficult.
The Conference therefore strongly urges that
hostilities be suspended and resort be had to peaceful processes.
The Conference believes that no possible step
to bring about by peaceful processes a just settlement of the conflict should
be overlooked or omitted.
In order to allow time for participating
governments to exchange views and further explore all peaceful methods by which
a just settlement of the dispute may be attained consistently with the principles
of the Nine Power Treaty and in conformity with the objectives of that treaty
the Conference deems it advisable temporarily to suspend its sittings. The
conflict in the Far East remains, however, a matter of concern to all of the
powers assembled at Brussels—by virtue of commitments in the Nine Power Treaty
or of special interest in the Far East—and especially to those most immediately
and directly affected by conditions and events in the Far East. Those of them
that are parties to the Nine Power Treaty have expressly adopted a policy
designed to stabilize conditions in the Far East and, to that end, are bound by
the provisions of that treaty, outstanding among which are those of articles 1
and 7.
The Conference will be called together again
whenever its chairman or any two of its members shall have reported that they
consider that its deliberations can be advantageously resumed.
394