Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-12-24
MR.. HAROlNC'S
CHRISTMAS GIFT
TO THE COUNTRY
Continued from page ]

as stated this morning by an Admin
igtration spokesman, is this:
He holds to the view that most
wars could be prevented il the ma
tions concerned could be induced to
gather about a Conference table 10 Z
iron out their differences. lie realizes
that the Pacific is one OF the worlds .
sore spots. He believes that one of the /
surest ways Of providing against con- |
ilict there is 20 arrange in advance for
discussions II any nrebrand ever falls
IN that direction.
For this resson he advocates the
four power treaty because he is con- /
vinced that It is the only possible step
that can be taken in advance TO in
sure perpetual peace in the Pacific
islands. The difference OF opinion
which he held regarding the meaning
of insuler dominions spoken of in the
treaty Is considered by him O. minor
matter. which has been smothed
over. He hoped that the public will
look at the work Of the Conference
as a whole, and not take some par
ticular phase of it and pull Il to-
pieces. In other words. he feels that
tho Administratlon's plan merits
fair play at the hands of the Ameri-
Gan public. though of course ne has
rot used such a phrase. But that is
/ the proper way TO interpret his formal
statement"
/ While this plea for fair play"
viii meet with deserved reception in.
irnany quarters, there are other groups
in American life that It is believed
| will not let the Christmas spirit In
terfere with their convictions regard
ing international affairs. The principal
element is composed OF those Senators
and their supporters-who, after
making a careful study of the pact,
believe that it is not insurance against
war in the Pacific, but a breeder of
future conflicts.
Men who hold this view-and their
number seems TO be increasing in in
fiuential circles-point TO the fact that
, the Treaty is for. ten years, and that
40 nation may drop out after that time
without giving one years notice. Ten
years, they hold, is a. long time in
diplomatic affairs. Just as Russia fell
, from the heights of autocracy to the
depths OF virtual chaos in less thar
four years, they predict that the Bear
of the Continent may regain it's feet
before that ten-year period has
passed.
What then?
! That is the question they are ask.
ing. Russia is not included in the
Treaty Of Washington Suppose tina.
a stable government of any kinC
; comes into being, and suppose tha
: government has controversy OF an,
: kind with Japan. approaching war
2 Do the American people realize tina
D this nation would have to meet Will
:, Japan, England and France to deter
: mine what steps should be taken {,
maintain the integrity of the Nippones
] islands? Do the American people real
i ize that we might be asked TO sen,
: soldiers TO fight for our newly-adopte,
Little Brown Brother? These are tn
< questions which the opposition is be
= ginning TO ask. And for that matter
Q 10 1t forgot that Germany may rLs
to power again, and desire her Paclfl
p islands which Little Brown Brothc
- took over by agreement at Versailles
President Harding's message ma
:, keep some OF the wobbling brother
In line; at least temporarily. But tn
!, Christmas recess viii give the opposi
tion ample time in which to strength
en- their arguments, and those argli
: ments will be presented full force whe
q" the Senate reconvenes. If the CROWN
sentiment against the treaty is stoppe
before the SNOWFALL OF public opinio
becomes an avalanche, the Treaty
y expected 10 go through the Senate wit
y little opposition. But If the snowba
has already reached large proportion
y there will be trouble a-plenty whe
d the Senate is again called 10 ortle
Public opinion is being courted toda
= by both sides as never before, nS
. even In the early days of the fight Il
the adoption OF the Versailles cover
l. ant. Unfortunately. the President
"off-side play" last Tuesday has hant
10 lcapped the friends of the Treaty. III
question that they must answer dul
,e ing the holiday recess is. just VIII;
IF does this Treaty mean IL the Presdcl
N of tho United States himself cou
4 not interpret ii properly?