Evening star., 1921-12-12
.FOUR-POWER PACT
|. GROWING IN FAVOR
Main Value Seen as Resting
on Moral Effect Rather
Than Explicit Terms.
BY N. O. MESSENGER

Today's events in the realm of the
arms conference comprised ''conver-
sations" and renewal of negotiations
concerning questions at issue be-
tween China and Japan. together
with other far~eastern affairs. The
exigency most pressing at the mo-
ment covers announcement OF the ac-
quiescence of Japan in the naval
Limitation program, which is expect
ed at any time.
Outside the Immediate conference
circles the topic OF general discussion and
comment was the four-power. trsAty
placed before the public Saturday by
Senator Lodge. It was Of especiaf in
terest on Capitol Hill. senator's hav-
ing had time over Sunday to analyze
Indications are that the treaty will
steadily grow in favor with the
American people, just as cable dis
patches report the Iapproval being
given it in Europe and Japan. As
soon as the Chinese situation Is
pending it is expected that additional
impetus will be given the current Of
popular approbatioh. which seems to
be setting in with the momentum of
rising tide.
See Value in Moral Eject.
Comment indicates that the treaty
is being regarded as resting its main
value to the world upon the moral
effect it Will have. rather than upon
its explicit terms. Indeed, the latter,
in the absence of binding clauses to
carry the agreement to definite con-
clusiofl by action in certain possible
conditions are regarded as giving the
treaty the aspect of moral instru-
ment rather than a specific contract
containing elements of physical en-
forcement.
presses the spirit of the contention Of
Secretary Hughes, Mr.. Balfour ana
other leaders of the conference in
their public utterances in the plenary
sessions and elsewhere. that the
worlds welfare depends upon the
will to peace" in the hearts OF the
peoples of the earth:
This treaty is held to be the dec
laration of the will to peace" by the
established governments OF TOUR
great powers that can maintain peace
among themselves and prevent others
from breaking it with the hope OF
success in the hostile undertaking.
Greater Moral Scope Seen.
While analysts may seek to point
out that the treaty may seem to ap-
ply specifically to the isles OF the Pa
cific and the insular possessions IN
the far east Of the nations signatory,
it Is admitted on all sides that Its
moral effect will extend infinitely be-
yond that limitation
II is expected that the fact that
these four great nations have agreed
to seek to prevent, tnronsn, hnstial moual
tiles incurred by disagreement over
insular questions specifically, the In
fuence Of the understanding Is IN.
tInitely more far-reachfng. IL "ll
extend to any question threatening
peace, or else the powers party 70 the
treaty will be stultify1ng themselves
before the eyes Of the world.
It might not be regarded as trite
tn assert that by the treaty, peaceful
settlement Of controversies mas neen
accepted 'in principle" The princi-
ple should therefore be applicable TO
other than the stated OBJECT c.,,.o,
hill that the treaty when submitted
hv the President will be ratified by
the Senate. 1t Is thought that the
more its objective is studied and the
greater the realization OF its oenen-.
cent operation, the more speedily
will approach the approval 2f the
Constitutional ratifying ageny OF
the government.
Politics Set Aside.
At this time, the possibility of the
intertection of politics into the con-
alteration Of the treaty by the. SEN
ate is regarded as negligible and con-
stantly Diminishing. Aside from the
merits of the proposition, there is the
practical suggestion that politicians
would find themselves playing with
fire" in undertaking to attack the
treaty on political grounds and be
liable to overwhelming public con-
In recorded utterance and In ex-
pressionsF made outside official en-
yironnaent, every responsible leader In
the conference has voiced the belief
since last Saturday that the outlook
Tor an early and eminently successful
conclusion of the conference is ex-
ceedingly promising, and that moth
ing short of an incident which would
be regarded as a world calamity, can