The New York herald., 1921-12-09

upon the attitude Of the United States
Senate.
Members Of the Administration who
are best qualified TO express an opinion
are understood TO feel confident that the
Senate viii not refuse ratification. There
may be considerable opposition in a Sec
ton Of the press and on the part Of some
die hard "ingrowing' Senators. but.
thanks 10 the eminent reasonableness Of
the agreement its freedom from laval or
mi tary clauses and the pressure of pub
lie opinion, this opposition may be sue
eel sfully faced.
The confidence expressed by the Presi-
dent yesterday was undoubtedly in
spired not only by the news from Japan
but by the feeling that America-4 public
opinion as a whole will sustain the
efforts OF the Administration.
Feels Attitude OF Americans.
A much larger degree of sceptical re-
serve than most observers OF the pro-
ceedings OF this conference possess
would be needed to inspire serious doubt
lest the American people fail 10 support
the action of the Executive. Hitherto
the conference has brought confusion
and discontinue upon unbelievers. At
tempts in various quarters to seek out
and magnify possible subjects to discard
have provided some of the most anus
ing episodes of the byplay that is an
inevitable part of the surroundings Of
any international gathering.
Without possessing or seeking to pos
sess secret information. may hazard
a guess that the submarine tonnage issue
will be satisfactorily arranged. The
ratio of the French and Italian navies
will probably be found to be in the
neighborhood of one and two-thirds of
American and British capital ship
strength Any reasonable demands
France may make will assuredly be CON
sidered in the friendliest spirit in all
quarters. while the Italian demand for
substantial equality with France is also
likely to be entertained. On this score.
therefore. sceptics may prepare TO gnash
their teeth.
On the Chinese question in general
there Will doubtless be alarms and ex-
elements before the conference is over.
The sentimentalists. who would fain
sacrifice the realities OF an agreement
between the principal Pacific Powers to
the uncompromising affirmation Of an
ideal Mt present beyond the range of
practical politics. may be expected to
lift up their voices in vain expostula-
ton. But the fundamental truths of the
situation will probably be too strong for
them. OF these truths the chief Is that
before China can be redeemed. restored
and put in a position in which che can
protect herself against depreciation. she
must he enabled to develop Govern
ment capable OF speaking in her name.
This she cannot do without long and
patient effort on the part Of those who
sincerely desire TO save her from the
sorry stewards who have in recent years
com bined personal unworthiness with the
/ Glib advocacy Of extravagant notions.
Not the least satisfactory outcome OF
/ the conference may well be an arrange
r,ent among the eight Powers which
/ China may ioin rs = ninth. tor the pro-
motion Of conditions calculated TO give
I 70 the Chinese people n chance OF re-
ginning their riehtful place among the
poltical assets of the world.
! At present China Is political liability
70 all who wish hor well. and her vociter-
Gus. sentimental friends might do worse
/ than help her TO cultivate n sense OF
/ reality.