Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-12-07
SENATE SENTIMENT
UNCERT AIN IN FACE
PROPOSED ALLIANCE

Washington. Dec. e.-(By A. P.).-
The effort to find an acceptable sub
stitute for the Anglo-Japanese alliance
has so diverted the attention Of many
Of the arms delegates as to throw even
the question of the naval ratio tenn
porarily into the background.
Both the Japanese and the British
have shown a desire to include the
United States in any entente that may
replace the alliance, and = tentative
treaty draft under consideration by
the governments concerned would pro-
vide for a 'Quadruple arrangement,
also including France. g..
What may have been the attitude of
the American delegates in the behind
the-scenes developments having to 90
with the proposal, remains a mystery.
Taking the position that no entent2
suggestion is formally" before them.
the American representatives stead
lastly refuse to discuss publicly in
any way the possibility Of American
participation in political agreement
regarding the Far East.
In the absence of an autho ritative
explanation of the American view
point, the impression is gained by the
delegates of other powers that the
American pIenipotentiaries are feeling
their way very cautiously as they
seek to ascertain what course would
be in accord with American offfcia
and public opinion.
Recognizing the Senatc's claim to
partnership in the shaping OF inter-
national agreements, Secretary Hughes
and his colleagues are said to be So
,icitous that the sentiment of the trea-
ty ratifying branch of the government,
as well as that of the executive, shall
be taken into account. .t-
How an accurate canvass Of Senate
opinion could be made in the midst OF
still another puzzle.
"A gentleman agreement" or ''un-
dcrstanding." II that diplomatic in
strumcnt were used in the place of a
treaty, would not require Senate con-
frmation. but President Harding and
other officials Of his administra ton
have indicated repeatedly that they
do not propose to take steps which
senators might regard as ignoring the
Senate's claim to participate in inter
national policies.
All these considerations are being
weighed carefully by the foreign dell
esates who desire to have the United
States a party to the next Far Eastern
concert of nations. There have been
indications that the other powers con-
cerned would prefer that the agree
rlent be put into the form of 4 treaty.
but it remains to be seen how far theJ
will press the suggestion when thay
understand fully the American con-
stitutional system.
Meantime some clue TO help solve
the riddle may be given in the near cu-
ture by the Senate itself. Speculation
as to what course the negotiations may
take Is growing among senator's as
they come together for the new SEES
sion and several have indicated that
they might seek in Senate debate to
bring the question of an entente more
conspicuously before the public.
While this phase of the Washing
ton conference is developing. the naval
ratio negotiations still arc at 4 stand
still while the Japanese delegates
await for word from Toxic. 1t may
be several days before they are in a
position TO resume the naval discus
sion. The fun committee OF IL whole
on the Far East will meet again to-
morrow, however. after a recess OF
five days. and will proceed with its
discussion of Chinese problems.
In the fvc-dav interim closing to-
night the formal activities of the con-
ference have been confined to meet
ings of the sGb-committce on draft of
resolutions and to conversation of thn
Japanese and Chinese regarding Shan
tunE.
The draft committee and the Shan.
tung group met today, but neither re-
ported material progress.