The New York herald., 1921-12-27
VIII Demand 9peD Sessions
When Foreign Relations
Committee Taxes Hold.
SUPPORTERS NOTwORRIED
Point Out That Bitter Enders'
Are Not a Futile Minority
With Little Power.

New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID, c., Dec. e6.
Opposition to the four Power treaty
took new turn to-day when it was
learned that irreconcilables are maxi
ing overtures to the Wilson Demo-
Gratis with the view of forcing open
sessions of the Senate Foreign Rela-
tions Committee when the treaty is
submitted to that body for considera-
ton.
There are seventeen members Of
that committee through whose hands
all treaties must pass before they are
submitted to the Senate for considera-
ton. Republican members of the
committee are:
Senators Lodge (Mass), chairman {;
Borah Idaho), McCumber (N. D.. }.
Brandegee (Conn.), johnson (CaL). 4.
Moses On. HI, Kellogg (Minn). Nc
Cormick (Ill) and Wadsworth IN. Y.).
The six Democratic members are
Senator's Hitchcock (Neb.), Williams
(Miss.), Swanson (Va.), Pomerene
(ohio). Pittman (Nev.) and Shields
(Tenn.).
Versailles Treaty Cited.
Advocates of open sessions for the
Foreign Relations Committee point out
that such a precedent was established
when the Versailles treaty was under
consideration. At the open sessions of
the committee some sensational admis-
sions were obtained from those who took
part in the Paris peace conference, so
that when the treaty was submitted to
in
form and substance from when it was
first sent to the committee
Should such a combination be effected
and such course adopted. which are
more than probabilities. then the treaty
may be tied up indefinitely in the COM
mittee while vital reservations are being
considered
Republican irreconcilables make no
secret of the fact that fight will be
made to have the meetings-or at least
many of them--open 10 the public when
the four Power treaty is under discus
sion. Some of the Wilson Democrats
who look askance upon the agreement
also are disposed to urge sucn a course
Supporters of the treaty are little con-
cerned over the activity of the oppo-
sition. They point out that there is
new spirit in Congress regarding in
ternational affairs, and that the bitter
enders'' are now selfconscious, rather
futile minority. They are making little
headway, say the friends of the treaty,
in their effort to frighten their col
leagues into believing that the other
nations at the arms conference are max
ing sport of the United States and that
the American delegates are being out
generated by the other diplomats.
Matter or R,ortification.
When the agreement relating to
fortifcations, or naval bases, in the
Pacific Ocean was reached--the agree
ment providing for the maintenance of
the existing status quo, excluding
Hawaii--it is believed Secretary Hughes
had in mind that the Luchu Islands, the
BONN Islands and certain other smaller
islands, such as Bogo. which lies be-
tween Formosa and Japan, were in
cluded.
In certain authoritative quarters 1t
is asserted that, of the Japanese islands,
only Formosa and Bogo, of Importance,
are included, 1t being maintained that
Japan proper includes the Luchu Islands
and the Bonin Islands. together with
Amami and other outlying "dominions." /"
as distinguished from possessions"
It may be necessary. in order that the
precise meaning of the agreement AMI
it's exact purview may be ascertained,
for negotiations to be opened with the
Japanese Government to establish in the
British and American understanding
the real extent of Japan proper. 1t is
pointed out by Japanese that there
never has been any question in the
Japanese mind since the restoration in
1868 what constituted Japan proper.
The Luchu or Riuldu Islands. they
assert, historically and photographic
ely. constitute a part Of Japan proper.
During the period of loose national ad-
ministration, they point out, the tribe
OF Riulxiu. inhabting Luchu Islands,
just as the clan of Satsuma inhabited
the Island of Kiushiu. acknowledged
Japanese suzerainty and sent annual
tribute to Japan; but the administra-
ton of them by the Shotgun Govern
ment was taken over before the restora-
ton
Amami. like the Luchu Islands. Is
strongly fortified, constituting O naval
base capable of offensive operations. II
is stated. but forms part of japan
proper. Only Formosa and Bogo, taken
from Cnna in 1896. are really included
in the agreement. it is declared, under
the Japanese Interpretation.