Evening star., 1921-12-07
Treaty of Alliance
!: ! Being Opposed by
U. S. Delegates.
FAVOR AGREEMENT
BUT NOT DEFENSIVE
Pact Suggestions Laid
Before Nations by
Their Delegates.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.
American delegates to the Wash.
ington conference are giving con-
stderation to q possible agreement
with other interested powers regard.
ing questions of the far east. it was
learned today, such an agreement to
take the place of the Anglo-Japanese
alliance.
1t was made clear, however, that
any agreement into which the United
States enters will not be an alliance
neither defensive or offensive. nor
both.
Furthermore, 1t was made clear
that the questions OF the far east
may separate themselves when II
comes to the making of agreements
into pacts relating ~ to China, and
I'd to the islands of the Pacific.
Laid Before Government.
From other sources it was intimate
today that the British and Japanese
delegations have laid before their
governments tentative suggestions for
an agreement in relation to the far
east. since the meeting of Secretary
Hughes Mr.. Balfour and Admiral
Ne
ing word from their governments or
this important question. which. it wa1
pointed out. might make 1t no longer
necessary to continue the Anglo-Jap-
anese alliance.
Just what form the proposed agree.
ment takes was not definitely stated
1t was suggesteds however, that II
might be in the nature Of an arbitra-
ton treaty, or Cooling OF" agree
ment. providing that if any contro-
yersy arose. these powers. including
the French, who have island posses.
kether and talk 1t over"
May BE Treaties.
These agreements relating to the
far east may, It is said, take
the form Of treaties. There is
nothing In THE tradifienAl neltey ei
the American gosernnlsht whicA
'wsuId pressns that course. II was
said Not every treaty Is an .aili.
ance" by any means. and if 1t ware
SO considered. the United States by
adhering to the policy Of no entau-
Cling foreign alliances. would be nec-
essarily debarred from making any
treaties with other powers whatever
The Rush-Bagot notes regarding
naval armament upon the Great LAX es
which date back to 1916 and which
limit the naval vessels which the
United States and Great Britain-in
this case Canada-may have on the
lakes. are mentioned as case in point
where the United States has entered
into an important agreement with
another power-not an alliance
which has resulted in very cordial re-
lations between the United States and
Canada for many years.
Approved by Senate.
While the Rush-Bagot agreement
was contained in notes exchanged be-
tween the two governments, they were
submitted to the United States Senate
were unanimously approved by the
Senate.
Another instance of the United States
powers regarding definite matters
outside the United States is contained
in a treaty regarding the customs du-
ties paid on the River Scheldt to
which Belgium. Holland and many
other powers are also signatories:
ing far eastern questions take the
form Of treaties, and 1t may be that
they will, jit Is we'll understood that
the American delegates will not agree
to anything that might be considered
in opposition to the traditional policy
of the United States regarding for
eign alliances. Two of the four Amer
ican delegates are senators-Senator
Lodge. leader Of the republicans, and
Senator Underwood, leader of the
democrats--and they are conversant
with the sentiment of the Senate.
which must pass upon any treaty that
may be submitted.
Arms Agreement to BE Treaty.
With regard to the question of limi-
tation of naval armaments, 1t was
said today that any such agreement
necessarily must take the form of a
treaty or treaties with the other pow
ers and that it would necessarily fol-
be passed upon by the Senate.
So far as the questions relating to
the Pacific islands are concerned, It
was said today that only four powers
may be considered directly interest
ed. They are the United States, Great
britain. France and Japan. 1t is be-
1eved fp some American quarters that
any agreement or treaty with regard
to the islands would be entered into
only by those four powers.
Wien the question Of China Is con-
sidefed. however, there is different
situation. and other powers may be
ysciuded in any agreement regarding
inat country. If the two-China and
the Pacific islands-are covered in
one agreement it is possible that all
the powers at the conference will
take part in 1t.
Chinese May BE Party.
Also the Chinese themselves are
likely to be given an opportunity to
become signatories to any compact
or agreement with regard to their
country.
In American circles the opinion was
expressed today that China will ,fars
well at the conference. 1t was pointed
out that negotiations are going for
ward favorably with regard to many
Of the proposals submitted by China,
including the withdrawal of foreign
post Offices, the matter Of the Chinese
customs. extraterritoriality, etc. So
far as the Shantung problem Ii con-
cerned. 1t was pointed out today that
negotiations are now under way be-
tween Japan and China regarding
this matter, which the conference
must leave to such negotiations, since.
with the exception of the United
States. all the other powers attend
ing the conference are signatories to
the treaty Of Versailles. which gave
Japan the German rights in Stantung.
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