Peace

Into the East Room one day last week walked a Chicago lawyer. In his ears was the blare of the Marine band; before him, a large U-shaped table covered with green cloth; about him, diplomats in formal attire', trim state department ushers, military and naval aides, personages of great official importance. As a civilian he felt a little lost until he caught sight of his good friend Senator Borah sitting up near the head of the U-table. And there, too, were Calvin Coolidge, Frank Billings Kellogg. The Chicago lawyer watched President Hoover, looking hot in a cutaway, shake hands with other people coming through the door from the Green Room.

Salmon Oliver Levinson, 63. robust, mender of broken corporations, was one of the few civilians invited to the White House ceremony for the promulgation of the general Treaty for the Renunciation of War, because, as Chairman of the American Committee for the Outlawry of War, to him belonged much unofficial credit for originating the idea of making war illegal. Ceaseless agitator for peace, he had been recommended by no less a journal than the Manchester Guardian for the Nobel Peace Prize. Quite happy now, he sat back, watched the culmination of his endeavors.

President Hoover took his place at the head of the U-table. Microphones were removed from the table while photographers took pictures. Before radio men could replace the microphones, President Hoover rose, began hurriedly reading his speech held in his left hand. This mishap prevented a broadcast of his words. Suddenly the East Room air began to rumble with sound as distracted radio announcers substituted for the President, read his speech to their audiences. President Hoover's low voice was swallowed up in the vocal confusion.

Mr. Levinson could catch only_ words, phrases: "Conscience and idealism of civilized nations. . . . New step. ... Magnificent response of the world to these proposals. ... I congratulate this assembly ... the entire world upon the coming into force of this additional instrument of humane endeavor to do away with war. . . ."

President Hoover at once halted construction of three U. S. cruisers, prepared to investigate, through another commission, the high cost of the army (see p. 12), promised a hearty welcome to Premier Ramsay MacDonald whenever he comes to the U. S. (see p. 21).

From Nicaragua last week President Hoover ordered home 1,200 U. S. Marines, leaving 2,300 there for "guard duty."