Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-12-13
AN INExTINCUlSHABLE IDEA
DOMINATES THE NEW TREATY
Spirit Of international Cooperation,
Grounded In Mutual Responsibilities,
Is the Vital Force Behind the
Washinaton Settlements


T IKE the giant Antacus of fable, great
IL principles in n world of fact are in
variably invigorated by contact with earth.
The foothold gained b. the underlying
spirit Of the League of Nations in the four
Power Pacific contract precisely establishes
such n normal connection. Realities have
been manfully faced.
1t was comprehensive view of them
which PROMPTED the Conference call. 1t was
the practical necessity for international CO.
operation which rendered a treaty Of
cooperation indispensable. 1t is the in
trinsic vitality Of the League idea which
dominates that agreement firmly grounded
in sense of things ms they unmistakably
are.
Logic choppers and hair. .splittcrs may be
expected to exhibit their dCnunciatOry zeal.
But their hunting ground has become rough
country. 1t is their turn to chase phantoms,
while the road to enlightened progress which
they are so loath TO take, is clear cut and
defined by trail blazers endowed with graft
flying foresight.
From the outset President Harding and
Secretary Hughes have eschewcd abstrac-
tions. That the arbitration program upon
which the United States, France, Great
Britain and Japan are cmbarkIng is akin in
spirit to the one set forth in Article y,
the 80 called heart Of the League of Nations,
is perfectly evident.
But the technicaity trfers have beer
ingrniously disarmcd by the omission of the
supposedly significant word 'presCrve' IL
tn" pledge regarding mutual respect for the
integrity of Pacific possessions.
At once gracious and ndroit was the man.
agement which resulted in the presentation
Of the Pacific treaty by Henry Cabot Lodge
chairman Of the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee. There is already the substantial
prospect Of n favorable majority for the
uact within that body.
Mr.. Hitchcock senatorial leader of Mr..
Wilson ; tight for the Versailles Treaty, has
admitted that he can see no reason for
opposing" the new accommodation. Mr..
Underwood, the present Democratic leader,
IS a member Of the American delegation to
the Washington Conference.
1t is apparent that senatorial opposition
must eventually be narrowed down to the
chronic irreconclablcs of both parties. in
sufficiently numerous to block the attainment
of the requisite two thirds vote.
The settlement of the Yap dispute by
another treaty. upon the terms Of which the
American and japanese Commissions have
just agreed. still further depletes the am.
munitlon Of the ohstructionsts. The two
CompuctS, removing what have constituted
| the most obvious mcnucGs to peace. unques-
I tounblv Gear tho way for the PRONUNCIATION
! If the much desired naval holiday.
by the close If the Conference the United
States will be in a fair way to recover TINT
international prestige and respect which can
only be gained by participation in world
affairs and practical acknowledgment Of
high responsibilities.
The co operation established in the Pacific
region cannot fail 10 exert a powerful in.
hupnce upon our relations with Europe, in
every sense our closer neghbor. 1t is un-
! likely that French clamors for three party
pact of protection will continue to be heard
after the bonds in the East are duly scaled.
The treaties evolved by the Conference
! there may be more than two before the ses-
sions end-are clearly destined to be of that
high minded and honorable rypc, distinctly
! sympathetic with the basic purposes Of the
! League of Nations, in the archives of which
| they must be formally registered by the
member Governments.
1t matters little whether the international
associations now being formed can be tech
ntcaIly reconriIrd with every detail of the
League Covenant 1t is the spiritual force
Of the settlements in which momentous
resemblance can be traced, k!nship which
promises I'm end of II painful period Of chaos
and the restoration Of world stability.
The Ad ninistruton in Washington has
been working toward this ideal with a con =
Nistency visible In each new development
and an appreciation Of political factors and
If the reality of the international points in
question warrauting the highest praise.
After all 1t IS the touch OF earth which Las
brought refreshmpnt 10 an inextinguIshnblc
idea.
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