The New York herald., 1922-03-09
four POWER TREATY
A PLEDGE OF PEACE
Harding Tells Senate 1t Has
No Bearing on Ishii A gree
ment on China.
BORAH EXPRESSES DOUBT
Anglo-Japanese Relations I'm
changed, He Says-Lodge
Issues Warning.
BORAH EXPRESSES DOUBT
SPECIAL Dispatch 10 THE New YORK HERALD.


New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c.. March 8.
President Harding answered the
Senate request for information con-
cerning the effect OF the treaties grow
ing out OF the arms limitation confer
ence upon the Lansing -Ishii agree
ment to-day, announcing that in his
opinion the agreement is nullified and
has no further effect as a result OF
the negotiation of the nine Power
treaty relative to China.
The President holds that the four
Power treaty has nothing TO do with
the Lansing Ishii agreement, but took
advantage OF the situation to express
the opinion that the four Power treaty
"is an essential part of the plan TO
create conditions in the Far East at
once favorable to the policies we have
long advocated and to an enduring
peace"
The Presidents reply TO the Borah
resolution was received by the Senate
during tho debate on the four Power
:reaty. in which Senator Lodge, chair
man OF the Foreign Relations Commit
tee, declared the abrogation of the
Anglo-Japanese alliance was the great
accomplishment OF the treaty
Treaties Closely Related.
Senator Lodges argument was the
most notable made in favor OF ratif-
cation. He was answered in formal
speeches by Senator Reed (Mo.) and
Senator Watson (Ga,). Senators Bo-
rah Gdaho) and Robinson (Ari.) par
ticipated in the running debate.
Senator Lodge said defeat Of the four
Power treaty threatened the five Power
naval treaty. and that hope OF a naval
reduction rested upon favorable action
on the four Power pact.
Senators should bear Ia mind he
said. that the defeat OF the four Power
treaty would endanger the treaty OF the
failure OF the national treaty would
shock and startle the world and bitterly
dlsappoint the American people.
I'VE must not forget the close rela-
ton of the two treaties The defeat
OF the four Power treaty would mean
the failure Of the conference. Let there
be no illusion on that point"
Lodge VIII Press FOR Action.
Senator Lodge emphasized the fact
that the treaty abrogates the Anglo
Japanese alliance and that the treaty it.
self constitutes no alliance or Is X In
any way comparable 70 or a substitute
for the Anglo-JapaneEe pact.
Senator Reed (Mo.) vigorous oppo-
nent OF the treaty. walked into a trap
Of his own construction during the prog
ress OF the debate by asserting that
while general emphasis was laid by Sem
ator Lodge upon the Importance OF the
abrogation OF the Anglo-Japanese aili-
ance there was nothing In the treaty
which specifically referred TO II.
senator Lenroot (Wis) promptly read
that portion OF the four Power compact
which directly says the Anglo-JapRnese
treaty shall be abrogated upon she ex-
change Of ratification OF the four Power
treaty.
After Senator Reed was compelled 10
acknowledge that the treaty contained a
provision abrogating the Anglo a pa n ese
alliance senator Borah said
Assuming that the Anglo-Japanese
alliance is abrogated does any one be-
lieve that the relations between England
and Japan will be any different 20 long
as Japan is pushing her operations In
Siberia and England remaining IN
India ?"
Senator Borah said later concerning
President Hardings explanation Of the
effect or the treaties on the Lansing
lshH agreement that he had reason 70
believe the japanese do not believe the
a agreement IL nullified by any Of the con-
ference treaties and that he proposed 10
show this later. lie said he was glad 20
have President Hardings explanation.
because II showed an entirely different
OF the Lansing-Ishii agree
ment from that entertained BY the Iapa-
nese.
President Harding's discussion Of the
Lansing -Ishii agreement IN connection
with the treaties growing out or the con-
ference was accepted az tho final dlspo-
sition OF that exchange or notes which
has caused considerable controversy.
Presidents Opinion Final.
The President called attention 10 the
fact that exchange OF notes was merely
an understanding as TO executive policy.
and his formal statement that the Ad-
regards II as sbrogated
would be final. regardless Of the effect
the treaties might have upon Il. In ad-
diton to this he points out that IL is
eliminated by tho nine Power treaties
relative to China. The President In his
letter said.
ITO the Senate:
~ have received the resolution Is.
res 25i) questioning me. II not incom-
patible with tho public interest--'to ad-
wise the Senate as TO the present status
and binding effect OF what II known
as the Lansing -Ishii agreement between
the United states and the Empire OF
Japan and as 70 whether or not the four
Power past now before the Senate FOR
n ratified, will ebrogate.
nullify or In any way modify. such
agreement. and as TO what will be the
status Of said agreement after the rsti-
1cation OF said four Power pact"
THE so-called Lansing Ishii agree
meut, signed November 2. 1917, was not
4 treaty. but was an exchange ~ notes
between the Secretary Of state ~ the
United states and Niscount Ishii. Am
Continued on Page Two,