New-York tribune., 1921-12-17

vious among the delegates as a result
Of this curious French situation. Every
one believes that after the French
have made their case they probably
will content themselves with blocking
the British hope for ar agreement tc
abolish submarines.
This British thought about the sub
marines has been obviously only hope
from the first SO FAR as this confer
ence is concerned In admitting rather
frankly that they want an open scs-
sion OF the conference shortly so that
they may present their case TO the
world the British give hint, at least,
shat their real purpose is to appeal to
world sentiment III order that at the
next conference the world, il convinced
by the British argument, may demand
that this weapon of warfare be out
lswed.
Meanwhile the four power Pacific ISL
anos treaty pot was kept boiling by n
few Democratic Senator'S. headed by
Senator Reed on Capitol Hill. The
Republican Senators, after an infor-
nal conference with Senator Lodge to-
day, decided not to answer the attacks
on the treaty by Reed and others for
the present. but to wait III patience
until the treaties are actually before
them,
President Harding is known to refuse
10 take the attacks on the treaty seri~
ouSiy, in view Of the fact that no ma
tiou signing the treaty ohligates itself
to use force even if the other three
should unite in agreeing that this
course should be taken
Mr.. Hanihara, Of the Japanese dele
cation. referred to-day to q Washing
ton dispatch, quoting the following:
Tho fact is incontestable that the
Japanese diplomats regard the four
power treaty, and will so present it to
their people, as constituting a promise
which is to take the place of the guar
antics Of the Anglo-J apanese alliance.
It was and is their price for giving up
the alliance with England and for re
ducing their fleet From Japan's point
of view it amounts to more or less of
guaranty that she shall be shielded
against attacks, or it amounts to moth
lng,'
Il do not Gnow." said Mr.. Hanihara,
where such an impression could have
been obtained, because it is obvious
that II any Japanese diplomat should
make statement of that character the
text OF the two documents are SO un-
like each other it would be sufficient
TO display the absurdity of his conten-
ton. In accepting the four-power
treaty we have been affected more than
once by American prohibition. We
nave accepted water for whisky-be-
cause our primary object was accord. -
No Sacrifice to Pride
In the first public comment on the
naval agreement from a British source
dr. Balfour to-day declared it would
diminish the public burden, relieve
the economic strain. be a lesson to
humanity, be an example to future re-
formers and be no sacrifice to national
pride"
There is no doubt that the great
scheme put forward by the United
States. through the American delegates,
Is going to benefit all countries con-
cerned and benefit the most the coun-
tries having the largest fleets" said
Mr.. Balfour.
THE defensive power Of Great Bri
tain will not be injured. The burden
of taxation on the people will be
greatly diminished. The scheme has
.ae merit of leaving all countries safe
from attack. 1t will prevent cut
time do nothing any patriot need re-
greet II he considers the safety, secur-
isy and honor of his country. Broadly
speaklng, armament costs were mount
ng up in all countries and statesmen
tad to think seriously OF the con-
cquent taxation burden.
Apart from the moral cons!dera~
ions and solely from the point of view
Of finance, the advantage of this
scheme to mankind is difficult to over
estimate"
DIR. Balfopr said the agreement
opened a new chapter in armaments
because it meant the sacrificing Of
srmanents and the sacrifice of par
tiealar armaments. 1t was VIII oily
rev result in international arrange
inents. The scheme will shine with
augmentlhg lustre as men are able to
look back and see how far-reaching
ana how novel the scheme is"
Japan Entirely in Accord
For the japanese, Admiral Kato made
the followin. statements:
tThe arrangements which the several
nations have reached will meet with
opposition in only few unimportant
quarters in Japan. Japan. as a whole
viii rejoice in them as completely as if
not actually more fully than any other
country in the world. Unless the
spirit of Japan were entirely in accord
with that of the other great nations
that will participate in the naval
treaty this agreement could not have
been reached.
at has been reached in substantially
the form in which it was proposed by
the United States and after less than
FIVE weeks of discussion. These ex-
traordinary circumstances show how
unsound was any pessimism that pre-
vailed before Mr.. Hughes made his
historic speech of November 10, and
how unfair was the charge of delay in
view of the fact that his drastic pro
posals came as complete surprise to
Ill of bo ~ he,
81 may say that from the day the
proposals were made the Japanese
delegation. supported by its govern
ment and the Japanese people, were de-
termined that their country should not
be the one to prevent an agreement, or
even to delay it beyond the barest ne
cessity of time for adequate considera-
ton. AS I have said before. we have
never bargained. We presented our
case to the delegates of the powers
concerned and at all times received, a s
we strived in our turn to give, fair
consideration