The daily times., 1921-12-23
D|FFERENCESAS
TO RATIFICATION
ARM|ST|CE TREATY
SECRECY THE TROUBLE
SECRECY THE TROUBLE.
Harding's Statement That He
Did Not Know That Treaty
Covered Mainland of Japan
Causes Democrats to Be-
lieve There May Be Other
Objections.
(By David Lawrence.)
COpyright, 1921. by The Daily

Copyright, 1921, by The Daily
Times.)
Washington, Dec. 22.-The ma
jority of the Democrats in the United
States Senate are opposed at present
to the ratification of the four-power
pact between the United States, Great
Britain, Japan and France, with re-
spect to the Islands of the Pacific.
Until Senator Oscar Underwood,
Democratic leader, and member of
the American delegation, which sign
ed the treaty, has an opportunity to
express his views, there will be no
formal opposition to the pact
If the treaty were submitted to &
vote today, it would pass by COM
Portable margin Notwithstanding the
Democratic opposition as for the mo-
ment the lineup is hardly different
from that which developed when the
last treaty with Germany was ratified
The foregoing analysis of the sit
uation comes from Democratic lead
ers who have the highest respect and
affection for Senator Underwood but
who insist that it was mistake for
him to sign a treaty phrased as
tambiguously as they believe is the
Ifour-power pact. Opposition to the
the outset But the unmistakable fact
| is that the development of the last
| two days have been harmful to the
treaty's prospects. The discovery that
the treaty included the mainland of
Japan and that the United States
actually agreed in secret session to
an Interpretation which covered the
tislands of Japan proper within the
scope of the pact has unQuestionably
turned the tide. President Harding's
own misconception of what the
treaty covered has been responsible
for the turn in Democratic sentiment
and for a growing opposition among
Republicans. Even the most ardent
supporters of the President will con-
tcede that the situation has hardly
been improved by the discussion over
the ambiguity of the phrases in the
treaty covering the mainland of
Japan.
| Already there is talk of reserva-
Itions to "clarify" but Senator Lodge
is reported in Senate cloakrooms as
having said that any reservations
would ruin the treaty" The Demo
Gratis who are unalterably opposed to
the pact even with reservations are
bound to make the most of Senator
Lodges attitude if this should prove
to be his ultimate conclusion for il
was Mr.. Lodge who insisted upon {
Hong series of reservations to the
> 'iVersailles treaty and contended tha
President Wilson had fair warning
of the Senate's attitude in the rount
robin which was circulated just aftel
the covenant was published. To thi
= the Democratic leaders reply that NJ
opportunity was given for study o
the t.xt of the treaty before it wa
jsigned and that the measure wa
:, negotiated in secret session. TIL,
Democrats plan as one step in thei
campaign against the treaty TO cal
for the proceedings OF the secret ses
;. lsions in order to learn what othel
things the American delegation ma,
have agreed to besides the Frencl
and British Interpretation that th'
), mainland of Japan was covered il
1.-THE pact.
To this sort of tactics. it is no
only probable but most likely tina
). President Harding will answe
through Oscar Underwood, Demo
cratic leader, who as a member Q
k the American delegation, is presum
J. ed to be aware of everything tha
It transpired. Mr.. Underwood will there
i for be in the position of defendin
ID the Administration and acting as it
D. spokesman in lining up Democrat
e. votes Those Democrats who antic
Continued on Page 2.)