Evening star., 1922-03-11
SECRETARY HUGHES
ASSAILS CRITICS OF
PARLEY DELEGATES
Continued from First PaEel

delegates. 1 think it entirely proper
to say that the negotiations relating
to the four-power treaty were con-
Quoted within limitations deaned py
the American government.
1.-The views OF this government as to
the importance of the termination OF
the Anglo-Japanese alliance had been
communicated long before the con-
ference met, and 1t had also Oeen
clearly stated that this government
could enter into no alliance or make
any commitment to the use Of arms
or which would impose any sort OF
obligation as to Its decisions in fu-
ture contingencies. 1t must deal with
any exigency according to It's conetl-
tutional methods.
Matter Reviewed Thoroughly.
"In preparation for the conference.
the American delegates reviewed the
matter thoroughly and the entire
course of the negotiations in connec-
accord with these principles, and. as
I have said, within the limits which
we defined.
THE treaty itself is very short and
simple, and is perfectly cleEr. 1t re-
quires no commentary. It's engage
ments are easily understood. and no
ingenuity in argument or hostile crit
fcism can add to them or make them
other or greater than its unequivocal
language sets forth. There are no
secret notes or understandings.
In view Of this. the question Of
authorship is unimport&nt. 1t was
signed by four powers. whose dele
gates. respectively. adopted IT, all
having made various suggestions.
Draft Was SubmitteA.
II may say, however, with respect
to the general course of negotiations
that after assent had been given by
Great Britain and Japan that France
should be a party to the agreemeiit, I
upon the various suggestions which
had been exchanged between the
delegates. This draft was first sub
mitted to Senator Lodge and Mr..
Root. as you were then absent on
account of the death Of your mother.
After the approval of the American
delegates who were here, the draft
was submitted to the representatives
of other powers and became the sub
ject of discussion between the heads
of the delegations concerned. and.
with few changes, which were ap-
proved by the American delegates
and which did not affect the spirit or
substance of the proposed treaty, an
agreement. was reached.
Immediately upon your return I
went over tHe "HOte HatlSI with you
and the proposed agreement received
your approval. I should add that. in
/ order to avoid any misunderstanding
I prepared a memorandum to accom-
, pany the treaty with respect to its
effect in relation to the inandsted
islands and reservins domestic aues-
tions.
Met With Acquieseeace.
"At this stage. while 1t was not
OF % n RAnfAPernA IN
to insure publicity at the earliest pos
sible moment, the treaty as thus
agreed upon and before it hnd been
signed was presented by Senator
Lodge to the conference in piena:y
stated. His statement met vita the
acquieScence Of all.
1.-THE treaty as thus drawn and noti-
fed was deemed to embrace .he main
islands Of Japan. Later. in view OF
and Japan. it was deemed to be pref
erable to exclude these main islands
and q supplementary treaty was pre-
pared to this effect which designated
the islands Of Japan which 1t was to
include.
Not Slightest Mystery.
There is not the slightest mystery
about the treaty or basis for sus-
picion regarding It. It is straight
OF the most important objects the
American government has had in
view and is Of the highest Importance
to the maintenance of friendly rela-
tions in the far east upon q sound
basis. AS the President recently said.
in his communication to tho Senate,
it Is an essential part of the plan to
create conditions in the far east at
once favorable to the maintenance Of
the policies We have long advocated
and to an enduring peace.
"In view Of this, and in view of the
relation OF the treaty to the results
Of the conference, its failure would be
nothing short of national calamity"