The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-12-13
TREATY, WITH
RESERVATION,
SIGNED BY US.
New Four Power Pa acific
Agreement Subject to I'm
derstanding on Mandate
Policy, Domestic Questions.
OTHERS ACCEPT PACT
nv Associated Pressl

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13-The new
four power Pacific treaty was signed
formally today but the American dele
gates affixed their signatures subject
TO written reservation that the
treaty should not affect the American
policy toward mandate, or cover any
controversy involving a question with
in the domestic jurisdiction of any
power
In turn. the plenipotentiaries of the
United States, Great Britain, France
and Japan placed their signatures up
on the treaty and later signed copies,
both in English and French of the
American reservation.
The reservation is in two parts, the
first calculated to cover temporarily
the question of zap and the other
inundated islands, which are to be the
subject of a special treaty.
The second clause declared that all
questions which according to prin-
ciple of international law lie exclusive
ly within the domestic jurisdiction OF
the respective powers" shall be con-
sidered outside the scope of the treaty.
There was no formal ceremony and
only the plenipotentiaries their secre-
taries and advisers were present. The
American delegates, the first to sign
under the alphabetical arrangement OF
| the powers, put their names to the
documents and affixed their seals
few minutes after IL o'clock.
Text of Reservation
The text of the American reserva-
tion follows:
In signing the treaty this day be-
| tween the United States of America,
| the British Empire, Japan and France
! it is declared TO be the understanding
and intent of the signatory powers:
! First: That the treaty shall apply
| to the inundated islands in the Pa
/ cific ocean, provided, however that
! the making of the treaty shall not be
deemed to be an assent on the part of
| the United States of America TO the
mandates, and shall not preclud q
agreements between the United States
of America and the mandatory pow
ers, respectively, in relation to the
inundated islands.
Second: That the controversies to
which the second paragraph of article
one refers, shall not be taken to en-
brace questions which, according 10
principles of international law, lie ex-
clusively within the domestic iurisdic-
ton of the respective powers"
Submission Uncertain.
When the treaty will be submitted
to the senate by President Harding
is uncertain, but it was indicated by
administration officials today that the
president saw no necessity for hast
ening action. There was An intima
tion that he might wait until the arms
conference was over, or at least until
it has reached d more definite posi-
ton in regard to all the major issues
before it.
The text of the treaty. having been
published by Mr.. Harding was de
scribed as taking the position thai
members of the senate have every op
portunity now to study the terms Of
the proposal, and that there is no rea
son why it should be Immediately
transmitted to the treaty ratifyins
body in an official way.
! The president is also said to fee
that it will be unnecessary for him tt
.. take the treaty to the senate in per
son. or to transmit an extended mes
sage with it. The language of the
document, is regarded by Mr.. Harding
: as speaking for itself, and requirins
no further explanation from the ad
ministTation.