Arizona republican., 1922-03-21
BORAH HINTS
Of A SECRET
AGREEMENT
WITH BRITISH.
Alleges Understanding For
Protection In Pacific Pre-
cipitates A Bitter Fight
In Senate
rRepubIIcan a. p. Leased WireI

WASHINGTON, Mar. 20-Senate
debate on the four power Pacific
treaty touched its high water mark
of bitterness today in an exchange
resulting from suggestions of secret
British American understanding for
future cooperation.
Aroused by recurring references to
such an international understanding
after its existence had been directly
denied Senator Lodge OF Massachu-
sets, the Republican leader and a
member of the American arms dele
cation. took the floor and in a voice
shaken by emotion declared he could
no longer be patient under attacks
which seemed to question his pa
triotism and impugn his honor.
Replying in fashion scarcely less
dramatic. Senator Robinson, Demo-
crat of Arkansas. an opponent of the
treaty. told the senate he questioned
no ones motives. but proposed to
do his patriotic duty as he saw it
without permitting himself to be in
timidated by outbursts Of indigna
tion'
He remained convinced, he said.
that both of the senate's representa-
tives on the delegation were 'amaz-
ingly ignorant Of some of the things
done at the conference.
Follows Party Conference
The exchange between Senators
Lodge and Robinson. which was part
of long debate sown broadcast with
charges OF "slander," "untruths" and
propaganda, took place shortly
after the Republican leader and other
prominent figures in his party or
ganization had canvassed the whole
treaty situation at the white house
conference with President Harding.
Besides Mr. Lodge. those who were
present included Chairman John T.
Adams of the Republican national
committee: Senator Mccormick Of
Illinois. chairman OF the party's sem
atorial campaign committee and Sen
ator Curtis OF Kansas, Republican
whip of the senate.
The presence OF so many party
chiefs at the conference led to the
impression that they discussed with
the president the possible injection
of the arms conference treaties into
the coming congressional campaign,
but some of the senator's who attend
ed said afterward that the primary
purpose was to give Mr.. Harding the
latest information as TO the lineup
on the four power treaty ratification
vote to be taken Friday. 1t was said
the president reiterated his accept
ance of the mo alliance" reservation
drafted by the foreign relations COM
mittee and was told there were
enough votes pledged to ratify the
treaty on that basis.
Late in the day the president slso
called in two Democratic senators,
Smith of South Carolina and Ken
drick OF Wyoming. for discussion
of the treaty situation. The senators
on leaving the white house would not
even admit that the treaties had been
the subject of conversation or from
what particular standpoint they had
been discussed.
At the same time. administration
officials reiterated that the treaties
were cerain to be ratified but did not
Indicate whether additional DEM
ocratic votes were sought or the
status of reservations was under con-
sideration.
Charqes Secret Understanding
Suggestion of British American
understanding for future concerted ac-
ton was thrown into the senate de-
bate by Senator Borah, Republican
of Idaho. who read a statement re-
garding the conference results he SAID
had been made by Paul d. Cravath,
New York attorney. In this state
ment Mr.. Cravath was quoted as say
ing he had been told by every men,
Der of the American delegation that
the conference resulted in an un-
written understanding between the
United States and Great Britain of
such a character that both sides as
sumo that in all future emergencies
they can both count on having the
very closest cooperation"
The accuracy of this assertion was
promptly denied by Senator Lodge
and by Senator Underwood of Ala
bama, the Democratic leader and also
a member of the American delegation.
Senator Underwood said he did not
recall ever having met Mr.. CraYath
and Senator Lodge declared he never
talked with him on the subject. Both
asserted positively and directly that
so far as they knew no such under
standing existed or ever had been dis
cussed
BY Senator Robinson it was argued
that Mr.. Cravath as we'll as Secretary
Hughes and Elihu Root, the other
two American delegates should be
called before the foreign relations
committee before the senate voted
on ratification of the treaty. 1t was
indicated that a motion TO send the
treaty back TO the committee with
instructions TO investigate further
its meaning might be made later, but
the administration leaders said to-
night there was no possibility that
such a move would succeed.
cRAVATH DENIES STATEMENT
. NEW YORK. March 20.-Paul d.
CraYath tonight issued a statement
DENYING he ever had said, as Senator