Arizona republican., 1922-02-17
SENATE ASKS HARDING FOR
ALL PRELIMINARY DATA ON.
FOUR POWER PACIFIC PACT.
[RepubIIean a. ?. Leased wIrel

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16.-Senate
debate on the four power Pacific
treaty began today with a prel:mi-
nary tilt resulting in a request TO
President Harding for all available
information as to how the treaty was
negotiated.
An hour Of general discussion,
which brought to the surface various
cross currents of senate opinion but
failed 10 develop definitely the rela-
tive strength of supporters and oppo-
nents of the treaty, preceded adop-
ton of the formal request for infor-
nation. The resolution of request
had the support of Republican and
Democratic leaders alike and was ap-
proved without a record vote
While IL awaited the presidents
reply, the foreign relations committee
decided to go ahead with other trea-
ties resulting from the arms nego-
tiations in the hope that all OF them
might be pressed TO ratification with
out considerable delay. AT a meeting
late in the day the committee COM
pleted its reading of the naval limita-
ton and submarine treaties without
bringing to light any indication of
opposition. Tomorrow it will read
through the general Far Eastern and
Chinese tariff pacts.
Senator Hitchcock OF Nebra ska.
ranking Democratic member Of the
committee and leader of the unsuc-
cessful fight for ratification Of the
treaty of Versailles, presented the
resolution requesting fun information
from the president With some minor
changes in phraseology, il promptly
was accepted by Senators Lodge OF
Massachusetts and Underwood of
Alabama, Republican and Democratic
senate leaders, respectively, and both
members of the American delegation
10 the arms conference, although each
declared he knew of no Information
regarding the four-power negotia-
tons that was not already before the
senate.
Senator Underwood, explaining at
length why no record Of the negotia-
tions was kept, declared the discus
sions could not be carried on in a
public way because they concerned
principally the abrogation Of the
Anglo Japanese alliance, a subject on
which the American delegation could
speak only by private suggestion.
The "heads of delegation" Mr.. I'm
derwood added, conducted directly
most Of the international exchanges
leading up TO the treaty.
Declaring himself amazed" that no
minutes of so important a discussion
had been kept, Senator Hitchcock re-
piled that his resolution at least
might result in some light being
thrown on certain questions raised in
regard to the Interpretation of the
treaty terms Senator Johnson, Re
publican of California, also declared
further explanation was due the
senate and the American people. since
the 900 page book OF data submitted
with the treaties contained scarcely
reference TO the four power pact
When President Harding will reply
to the resolution was uncertain to-
night in view of the absence of Sec
retary Hughes. who has gone to Ber-
muda
1t was indicated, however. that ac-
ton would be taken as quickly as
possible because of the presidents de-
sire to have ratification of the trea-
ties completed without delay. Despite
the attention temporarily given the
other treaties by the foreign relations
committee senate leaders have not
altered their intention of bringing the
four power treaty up Cor ratification
first
In order that the full scope and in
tent of the four power agreement
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