Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-03-14
Debate Continues.

Washington, March 14.-Supportere
OF the four power Pacific treaty again
took the offensive when the senate re-
sumed debate on the pact today under
an agreement to vote late this after
noon on the first of the proposed
amendments. 70
Senator McCumber of North Dakota
and Lenroot of Wisconsin, both Re
publicans, led off for the ratification
advocates praisinK the treaty as q long
ssep toward international -undetstantl-s :
ing and denying that it embodies
posing side. Senator Walsh. Demo-
crat, Montana, was given right OF way
for legal argument attacking the
treaty's Obligations.
Popular Vote Hinted At.
Emphasizing the Importance of the
four power pact as an integral part of
the arms conference program, Senator
Lenroot suggested that if ratification
of this treaty failed, President Hard
others produced by the conferences
and asking for a popular verdict on
the whole subject at the November
election. So.
Senator McCumber also declared
the four power arrangement was, the
key to the whole armament program,
but asked what had become Of the
for an association of nations en-
bracing the entire world in its scope.
Although not regarded by the lead
erS as test vote with direct bearing
on the question Of ratification. the roll
call to be taken at p. m. today was
expected to show for the first time the
attitude of minds of various senators
part in the treaty fight. The am end
ment to be acted on was offered by
Senator Robinson, Democrat, Ar
kansas. It proposes participation OF
on-signatory nations in the ben efits
and conferences" of the treaty in
volvins their interests
May Mean Other Failures.
Senator Lenroot's suggestion that
withdrawal of the other treaties must
pact fail. was made in a long prepared
reply to charges that the four power
agreement would bind the United
States to use force. Not only was
such an inference wholly unwar-
; ranted he said. but the treaty con-
stituted such an important peace step
that its failure may mean failure OF
all Of the treaties
Robinson's Amendment.
AS modified yesterday by Senator
! Robinson. his amendment provides
| that the rights OF nations both in and
| out of the four power group are to be
respected. and that non-Sgnatory as
well as signatory nations shall be in
vited to any conference held to con-
slider controversies affecting insular
interests in the Pacific ''or any far
leaders said they were assured of SUI
! fcient votes to defeat the amend
ment, which until Senator Robinson's
.;reech yesterday favorinS its adoption
! in the interest. he said, of Russia,
China and other non-Signatory ma
tons. had been touched on but little
! in the senate debate.
'"The four power pact creates no
alliance. 1t encroaches in no way
whatever upon the sovereignty of the
United States. 1t is based on civilized
public opinion and not upon force.
1t lis the longest step toward peace
and mutual understanding in q thou
sand years and shall support II.
Administration leaders declared
last night they had sufficient votes to
defeat the amendment which haa
been touched on very little in debate
during the several days that 1t has
been technically before the senate.
Senator Robinson made short
speech yesterday favoring its adop-
ton in the interest, he said, of lair
!, play for Russia, China and other non
| signatory nations, and Senator Len
/ root, Republican, Wisconsin, argued
against it on the ground that it would
| impose blanket obligations, gotnE
even beyond the league Of nations
covenant. s..
Senator Johnson's address of more
than two hours was directed larHely
against the declaration Of the treAfy'a
supporters that its chief benedt ~ In
the provision abrogafing the Anglo
Japanese alliance. II solemn aas1f-
| ances Of Great Britain and Japan re-
garding the purposes Of the alliAnco
were to be credited. he said. then It
| contained no menace to the United
States, while II these aaur1nce0 were
10 be regarded ~ faloe, then this eov-
ernment should mot 90 into partn0sAip
With ratiens which had Draeficsa IL
] deception. .i3