South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-12-21
HOLDS PACIFIC
PACT DOES NOT
COVER MAINLAND
President States He Has No
Objection to Opposite View
of Conference.

Continued from page eHe}
that they have agreed 20 The COM
z-ructlon which includes the hon
land u japan iG the term iusu.ar
posscsstors and lrsliar domlni01s'
ard has no objection 90 that con-
strlctor."
The language OF the treaty thus
brouEhtlntO question also has been
the subject Of senate discussion, and
ln response 10 inquiries based on the
assertions q The opponents OF RATE
flcati0n spokesmeu for the Ameri-
can delegation have said repeatedly
that the major Japanese group must
ice regarded as included within the
provisions OF tho agreement.
Claim Personal opinion
When he sent forth an opposite
view Tuesday. Mr. Harding was said
by officials close 20 him 10 have
acted without consultation with his
state department advisers without
any definite purpose OF announcing
the attitude OF the administration.
II was declared that ne merely was
voicing a personal opinion and had
no thought OF precipltaung clash
in conference circles.
As Interpreted by Mr. Harding Do
his conference with the correspond
ents this language would not apply
10 the mainland OF 80 called main
land island or 20 any OF the contract
ing powers lie then said 20 feel that
Japan proper would no more bee in
cluded among the Pacific islands
for purposes OF the treaty. than
would be the mainland Of the United
States. The islands OF the chief
japanese group wcr considered by
him az constituting n party % the
treaty rather than possession or
dominion TO be dealt with by it.
Seek Qualification.
The effect Of the delegates. how
ever. was Immediately apparent.
None OF them would comment. but
among the Americans, British.
French and Japanese alike there
was veident a desire 20 have the at
titude OF the American government
clarified az once
The American delegation held "a
meeting and as Sens Lodge and I'm
derwood were Fastening 20 the
White House n British spokesman
not directly connected withthe B-i-
fish delegation was telling newspa-
per correspondents that a view di-
rectly opposite 20 that OF the presi-
dent had been communicated 20 the
other powers by the American Pile
ufpotentiaries during the uegOtI-
atOus.
Baron Kato. head of the japanese
vas one or those who showed great
es- interest fin the houses attitude
Pledge Of secrecy said the japanese
statesman prevented him from d.-
vuiElnr whether there had been an
agreement as 20 application OF the
treaty 20 the principal Japanese is
lands, and ne added THAT "the mean
ing adopted at the time OF siguius
might DE changed i'm the future. so
7 can say nothing at this time" In
British quarters. st. was sand that Dr.
was the British and Americans VINO
took the lead in framing the treaty
as 90 apply 20 all the japanese group
and that the Japanese for a time OPP
posed the ARRANGEMENT.
Arthur 7. BaIfour. head of the
British was declared 20 have been
fnsistent on including in the major
Japnese islands 81 the British do
ninlons Of Australia. and New Zeal
and were 20 he taken I'm. Definition
OF the geographical scope of the
treaty as finally agreed TO is !nclud-
ed IN Article one OF the agreement.
and Ia as follows:
The high contracting powers
agree as between themselves 20 re-
spect their rights in relation 90 their
insular possessions and insular do
minions IN the region OF the Pacific
ocean"
Understanding Did Exist.
The white house statement Tues
day night was the first official con-
frmation that an understanding did
exist among the delegates as TO the
application OF the treaty. although
there have been numerous evidences
that the question was at least dis
cussed IN the secret meetings that
preceded announcement Of the pact
at an open session OF the arms con-
ference.
Baron Knto's statements in declin-
ing 90 discuss the presidents views
also revealed for the first time the
precautions taken to prevent details
OF the negotiations from becoming
public
Secrecy Precautions
II am morally bound. 90 said Baron
katO when asked whether an agree
ment on application had been
reached. "to say nothing about &c.
cannot even say whether there was
an agreement among all the pieni-
potentiarics as TO what the treaty
meant because that would be vio-
lntlon OF our understanding that
nothing IS 20 be said about such con-
versations"
During the cross examination by
newspapermen. japanese CORE
spondent asked. Are We TO under
stand that the japanese delegates
signed this treaty without a definite
understanding of the treaty itself
The meaning adopted ar the time