Evening star., 1921-12-10
An Experiment for World Peace.

In the same spirit of explicitness
that marked the opening Of the con-
ference on limitation Of ornaments
In this city November IL comes the
announcement today Of the drafting
of q proposed treaty between the
United States. the British empire,
France. and Japan. This treaty, pre-
sented at the plenary session today
by Senator Lodge. in q speech which
for effective simplicity has few equals
In the range Of diplomatic discourse.
10 perhaps the shortest international
agreement ever drafted, and at the
same time one Of the most potent for
world peace.
In briefest terms-and the treaty it.
self Is 90 brief that it is dificult to
condense 1.-THE four powers agree a.
between themselves to respect their
insular possessions and dominions in
the region Of the Pacific, and II any
controversy should arise as to such
rights all the parties shall be invited
70 Q joint conference looking to an ad-
tastment. They agree to take similar
action IN the case Of aggression by any
sther power upon these insular posses
ions Or dominions. The agreement is
70 remein in force ten years, and after
ratification, which is to be effected in
accordance with the constitutional
methods Of the powers. the existing
asreemeft between Great Britain and
Japan, concluded at London July Is.
1e11. shall terminate.
Senator Lodge frnakly states in pre-
senting the treaty that this is an ex-
Deriment in trying to assure peace in
the immense region Of the Pacific by
trusting The preservation Of its tran.
4viHity to the good faith Of the nations
responsible for 1t. The highest hope Of
the United States Is to prevent war, to
repent. In short. repetition Of the
f<ightfui experience through which
the world has just passed. To that
end It appeals to "the hearts. the SYM
pskhies, the reason and the higher i'm.
pulses Of mankind" This treaty is the
expression Of that feeling.
This 10 no offensive alliance designed
for conquest or for aggrandizement. It
In an agreement for stability and
tranquility, with the application Of
feason and justice to settle controver-
do. q Combination Of interests that
should be mutually protective and de-
1snsive against aggression from an.
ether source.
It In to be marked that the treaty
provides for its ratification by the
constitutional methods Of the high
contracting parties" This means. a.
to the United States, that the treaty
win be submitted to the Senate for its
approval. That approval can hardly
tail to be secured. The presence on
the American delegation Of the lead.
ers OF their respective parties in the
Senate In q sense makes that body a
part Of the agency of negotiation
Agreements Of this kind. I know.
have often been made before, only to
fail." says Senator Lodge in his speech
Of presentation. But, he notes, there
has been a great change in the mental
condition Of men and women every
where. and he hopes, as the country
hopes, and doubtless as the world
hopes, that in consequence Of this
change q treaty making for peace
resting upon good faith and the en-.
hghtenment Of the peoples in whose
name It. 10 written will avail now to
remove the causes Of war and to pre-
vent war itself. The prayers Of the
American people, rise in expression Of
this hoDe