Great Falls tribune., 1921-12-07
EXPECT SENATE
WILL DIG INTO
PAR[EY D0|NGS
Hughes Wants to Give
Solons Chance to Let
Ideas Become Known.
Foreign Powers After
U. S. to Enter Pact on
Far East Questions.

Washington, Dec. 6.-(By The AS.
sociated Press).-The effort to fine
an acceptable substitute for the Anglo
Japanese alliance has so diverted the
attention of many of the arms dele
gates as to throw even the question
Of the naval ratio temporarily into the
background.
!; Both the Japanese and British have
shown desire to include the United
States in IN entente that may replace
the alliance, and a tentative treaty
draft under consideration by some gov
ernments concerned would provide for
a quadruple arrangement, also includ-
ing France.
u. S. Delegates Silent
What may have been the attitude Of
the American delegates in the behind
the-scenes developments having to do
with the proposal remains a mystery.
Taking the position that no entente
suggestion is formally before them
the American representatives stead
fastly refused to discuss publicly the
possibility of American participation in
political agreement regarding the
far east.
In the absence of an authoritative
explanation of the American view
point, the impression is gained by the
delegates Of other powers that the
American plenipotentiaries are feeling
their way very cautiously as they seek
to ascertain what course would be IN
accord with American official and
public opinion.
Recognizing the senate's claim to
partnership in the shaping of inter-
national agreements, Secretary Hughes
and his colleagues are said to be
solicitious that the sentiment of the
treaty-ratifying branch of the govern
ment, as well as that of the executive.
shall be taken into account. How an
accurate canvass of senate opinion
could be made in the midst of the
negotiations. however, presents still
another puzzle.
"a gentleman's agreement or "un-
derstanding" if that diplomatic instru-
nents we're used in the place Of
firInation, but President Harding and
other administration officials have in
dicated they do not propose to take
steps which senator's might regard as
ignoring the senate's claim to partici-
pate in international policies.
All of these. considerations are be-
ing weighed carefully by the foreign
delegates who desire to have the
United States a party to the next far
eastern concert OF nations. Inere nave
been indications that the other powers
concerned would prefer that the agree
ment be put into the form of treaty,
hut it. remains to be seen how far
they will press the suggestion when
they understand fully the American
constitutional system.
Naval Dispute Delayed
Some clue to help solve the riddle
may be given in the near future by the
senate. itself. Speculation as to what
course the negotiations may take is
growing among senators as they come
together for the new session, and sew
eral have indicated they might seek N
senate debate to bring the question
Of an entente more conspicuously be-
fore the public.
The naval ratio negotiations still
are at a standstill while the japanese
delegates wait for word from Toxic.
It may be several days before they are
in n position to resume the naval dis
cussions. The full committee Of the
whole on the far east will meet again
Wednesday after recess Of five days
and will proceed with its discussions
of Chinese problems.