The New York herald., 1922-03-13

New York Reraid Bureau.
Washington. ID. G.. March f2.
Opponents of the four Power treaty
are organized to block the efforts or
Senator Lodge (Mass.l to force a vote
on the Robinson amendment to-mor-
row. Senator La Toilette (wis.), the
champion long distance talker of the
Senate, arrived at the capital yester-
day after prolonged absence and is
prepared to throw himself into the
fight in opposition to the treaty.
The treaty killers believe they have
better chance to win by prolonging
the fight interminably. giving to them
additional opportunity to disseminate
poison gas throughout tie country.
UP to the present their efforts have
not been successful. They have drawn
two broadsides from the Administra-
ton, which admittedly have not helped
the treaty opponents. The request
for information as to the relationship
between the treaty and the Lansing
Ishii agreement gave to President
Harding an opportunity to dissipate
the suspicion that might have been
awakened by tLis request and to put
before the country his idea that defeat
of the four Power treaty would wreck
the entire work of the conference.
Dissipation Of Suspicion.
Efforts to arouse suspicion concern
Ing the treaty, ascribing Its authorship
to Sir Arthur j. BaIfour. carrying the
suggestion that 1t was compact de-
signed to let the United States into
bad bargain, was dissipated successfully
ator Underwood (Ala-) to call attention
to tine fact that the treaty fighters are
in sore straits when they are compelled
to devote their time to the authorship
OF the treaty rather than to its con-
tents
With the Republican alignment on
the treaty practically determined. in
terest centers on the contest in the DEM
ocratic minority in the Senate, where
a struggle is on between Senator Under
treaty. and the Democratic opposition
led by Senator Robinson (Ark.) and
Reed (Mo.) on the other. 1t Is develop
ing a test whether Senator Underwood
will maintain his position as Democratic
leader. 1t Is recognized that failure to
gain q fairly representative support
from his party confreres would leave
the leadership OF Senator Underwood a
shadow rather than a substance.
In the debate, so far as IL has de-
veloped. there is evidence of greater
desire on the part of the Democrats to
punish the Republicans in the debate
rather than TO stand out against ratin-
cation of the treaty on the final test
Senator Lodge, who led the fight against
ratification OF the Versailles treaty, Is
the special object OF this attack and
definite plans are on foot among the
Democrats TO utilize the treaty situa-
tion in imperiling the success OF Senator
Lodge In his efforts to secure reelection
to the Senate from Massachusetts.
Lodge Avoids snare.
The efforts OF the treaty opponents have
been directed to bringing Senator Lodge
prominently In the debate. but up TO
this time the Massachusetts Senator has
avoided the snare. contenting himself
treaty. tMM
Both Senator Lodge and Senator I'm
derwood In supporting the treaty are
under disadvantage In the debate,
which their opponents have not over
looked. As American delegates to the
armament conference these two Senator'S
carry certain responsibility in respect
to their utterances. Whatever they say
will receive unusual attention abroad.
hnt ,,ft
more or less official. The Senatorial on
ponents OF the treaty do not recognize
any such responsibility. without regard
to the effect their speeches may have
abroad the treaty fighters hit out on
every side with the one plan OF awaken
ing public suspicion against the COM
pacts In the United States. II is ac-
cordingly difficult for the two chief
defenders OF the treaties to answer them
effectively.
In spite of the furore of debate ana
the bitterness OF attack among the
Democrats there is constantly grow
ing feeling that their policy is 10 con-
fine themselves largely to debatc. They
Will endeavor TO make what political
capital they may while the debate lasts.
but the undoubted public approval OF
the treaties is regarded as certain to
make them reflect carefully before they
attempt 10 deleat one or more OF them.
Pressure From House.
Pressure from the Democratic House
members Is becoming constantly greater
to have tho treaties ratified and out
OF the way so they may connne them
selves 10 economic issues In their
struggle to secure larger representation
in the next House.
Among the Republican opponents OF
the treaty these reasons do not pre-
vail and they are seriously going
through with the fight of opposition. or
the four Republican Senators In opposi-
tlon. T3orah (Tdaho). johnson (Cai).
La Toilette. and France (Md), Senator
France Is apparently the only ono who
Is meeting with party discipline at home
because OF his course.
Tho Republicans OF the Maryland
Legislature have formally approved the
Administration course on the treaties
and by inference have dlsapprovcd OF
Senator France. Tho situation ls re-
-. sd al oari,fta hv thn Nfox.4sf,..d