The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1921-12-29
Thursday December %, 1921
THE FoUR-PoWER TREATY AND
WHAT 1T MEANS.

In order TO forestall the criticism
and opposition which he must hav,
known would follow the presentation
Of the treaty signed by the represent
tatives Of the United States. Great
Britain, France and Japan for the pur-
pose of maintaining the status quo
with respect 10 the insular possessions
Of the respective countries in the Pa
cific Senator Lodge used this Ian
guage in formally presenting the trea-
~ TO the conference:
There is no provision for the
use of force to carry out any of
the terms of the agreement. and
no military or naval sanction turks
anywhere in the background or
under cover of these plain and di-
rect clauses"
That statement is literally true so
far as the first half is concerned. but
the last half is open to very serious
question. Just as article 10 of the COW
enant of the league of nations was the
point around which was waged the
fIercest contest over the question of
adoption so article ? of the four-power
treaty is the center of attack by the
opponents of ratification. Supporters
Of the agreement insist that there is
no analogy between the two articles
so far as obligating the United States
to resort to force in carrying out its
terms is concerned. but a survey of
possible contingencies that may arise
shows that it is difficult to accept that
view without placing our country in
most discreditable position. to say the
least Here is article , of the four
power treaty:
IF the said rights are threaten
ed by the aggressive action of any
other power the high contracting
parties shall communicate with
one another fully and frankly in
order to arrive at an understand
ing as TO the most efficient meas
ures to be taken, jointly and sepa-
rately, to meet the exigencies of
the particular situation"
The question at once suggested is
powers is threatened by the aggres-
sive action Of an outside power. and /
the high contracting parties meet and
agree that the only efficient measure
to be taken is by military force. what
is Uncle Sam going to do? The fact
that this article is in the treaty is the
best evidence that its signers foresaw
the possibility of such situation, and
in that event the representatives of
the United States who signed the
treaty did not expect their country to
stop with merely declaring the meas
ires TO be adopted. without helping to
larry them out
The obligations under article > may
'e likened to an agreement entered c
nto by four prospectors owning re- a
pectively four contiguous mining C
mining claims. After holding them for d
everal years adjusting minor differ T.
noes on a friendly basis. they find as c
development of the claims progresses Il
hat their rights are liable to conflict n
a manner that might lead to serious 1
rouble. In order to avoid such a sit a
alton the four prospectors get to- a
ether and with map of the four n
iaims before them agree upon the
oundary lines. surface and under L
round rights. and further agreeing
lat if dispute should arise among
lose signing the agreement they will
eet in friendly conference, ito which WI
lie whole subject will be referred for ha
and adjustment" They err
so stipulate that if the rights which FOL
ey have agreed to respect ARE mi
reatened by the aggressive action of su
" other" person. that is. if the claim De
any part of it held by either of the tn,
rites to the agreement should be hal
lmped" then the parties TO the rae
reement viii get together and dis go'
SIS the matter fully and frankly in lea
der to arrive at an understanding for
to the most efficient means to be Gro
ken, jointly and separately, TO meet car
e exigencies of the situation" dec
In the course of time a "claim Jump he