Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-12-17
DISREGARD TREATY
AS WAR OBLIGATION
Administration Spok e III II
Assert 4-Powcr Pact Not to
Enforce Hos,iIiiies.
DENY SENATE ATTACKS
No Obligatory Military Meas
urcs Represent Spirit
of Agreement.
DENY SENATE ATTACKS
icy Associated rrcss.l

WASHINGTON, Dec. While
another assault on the four power
Pacific treaty was in progress today
in the Senate, administration spokcs-
men took their first notice Of the
Senate discussions and let it he
known that they did not regard the
treaty Ms imposing an obligation to
take up arms.
No provision of tho new agree
mcnt. 1t was declared in highest adj
ininieLration circles. ubliGatcs any
one OF the four powers to take mil
itary measures In pursuance of de-
cisionS reached by consultations
among them. II was added that any
such guarantee did not in any sense
represent the spirit of the treaty.
Hcsp"nd to Questions.
Tho officials We're not willing TO go
further ia Interpreting the pact. but
In response to questions they reitcr-
htcd their understanding that the
region of the Pacific Ocean" as the
term Is used in tho treaty text, in
Guides the principal islands Of tho
Japanese empire ana Australia and
New Zealand as well. British spokes
men have Endorsed that application
of the terms and have declared IL to
be the unanimous understanding IN
which IN" treaty was signed.
The attack on the treaty in the
Senate during the day was made bv
Senator Reed, Democrat Missouri.
who referred to the question of in
Guiding japan proper within the scopc
OF the pact and declared an obli.:n-
tiQn was included for protection of
japanese territorial integrity. lie
again characterized the arrangement
as an alliance Ivy which the United
states would have little TO gain ana
e much To lose.
Might Compel Hustflitics.
Senator Reed also declared the
four power plan might compel the
United States 20 go TO war against
China or Russia. on this point Of
i'cial administration Spokesman have
tne!stcd repeatedly that the treaty in
no way affects the mainland OF Asia,
and could not be invoked in relation
10 questions arising within Chinese
or Russian Jurisdiction
Further than this. there has hecu
no attempt by the administration to
Interpret or explain the Language Of
the treaty. repeated queries meeting
with the response that tho text Of
ne agreement speaks for itself
The same attitude OF silence has
been adopted by administration
Senators. and after the three hours
attack on tho four power Pacific
treaty today by Senator Reed. Sen
"tor curtis az Kansas, their marty
p -whip, annouccd tsat there would be
no discussion OF The subject until II
- formally submitted by presidcn,
Harding
Mir. curtis statement was made.
II "aS understood, as an explanation
for tho l'ct that 40 speeches had
been made In favor OF the treaty ana
IN reply to the attacks OF Senator'S
Reed aud Borah, Republican. Idaho
Taken IA conjunction with the party
policy OF the Democrats who have de-
'lded to maintain silence. LEADERS, on
both sides predicted minimum Of
dchaie on tho pow pact until after
The armamen1 tsn(csahce Il ended
~ that time. II has been Indicated
III! Of the agreements reached in tho
conference VIII be forwarded 10 The
Capitol.
Senator Reed. however announce
another purpose. He proposed :,
send the treaty to the American
People. just az was done with tn,
treaty OF Versailles" and he pre-.
dlCteI that b. tho tim, ,ha yo,o-.