Evening star., 1922-02-10
PRESIDENT PRESENTS TREATIES f7 IL
TO SENATE URGING RATIFICATION

ingness to be part of il has been
expressed. That unwillingness has
been kept in mind. and the treaties
submitted today have no semblance
or relationship save as the wish to
promote peace has been the common
inspiration.
The four-power treaty contains no
war commitment. 1t covenants the
respect of each nations rights In re-
lation to its insular possessions. In
case OF controversy between the COW
enanting powers 1t lis agreed 10 con-
fer and seek adjustment. and If said
rights are threatened by the aggres-
siVe action Of any outside power.
these friendly powers. respecting one
another, are to communicate. perhaps
confer, In order to understand what
action may be taken. Jointly or sep
arately. to meet a menacing situation.
There is no commitment to armed
force. no alliance. no written or moral
obligation to join in defense, no ex-
pressed or implied commitment to ar
rive at any agreement except in ac-
cordance with our constitutional
methoGs. 1t Is easy to believe. how
ever, that such conference of the
four powers is a moral warning that
an aggressive nation. giving affront
to the four great powers ready to To-
Gus world opinion on a given con-
troversy, would be embarking on a
Frankly, senators. II nations may
not safely agree to respect each 9TH
er's rights. and may not agree to
confer IL one to the compact threatens
trespasS, or may not agree to advise
IL one party to the pact Is threatened
by an outside power. then all con-
certed efforts to tranQuillize the world
and stabilize peace must be flung to
the winds. Either these treaties must
nave your cordial sanction or every
proclaimed desire to promote peace
and prevent war becomes a hollow
mockery.
Eyes Turned to Pacific.
We have seen the eyes of the world
turned to the Pacific With Europe
PROSTATE and penitent, none feared
the Likelihood of early conflict there.
But the Pacific had its menaces, and
they deeply concerned us. Our terri
torlai interests are larger there. Its
waters are not strange seas to us. its
farther shores not unknown to our
citizens. Our earlier triumphs of COM
merce were there. We began treaty
relationships with China fully eighty
years ago. in the youthful vigor of
our republic and the sailings of our
clipper ships were the romance of our
merchant marine, when il successful
ly challenged the competition of the
world. Seventy years ago Commodore
and there followed that SURPRISING
development of the island empire.
with whom our unbroken peace found
most gratifying reflex in the con-
ference Just closed.
A century ago we began planting
the seeds of American friendship in
Hawaii, and seventy years ago Web
ster told the Senate that the United
States could never consent to see
these islands taken possession OF by
either of the great commercial pow
ers of Europe" Whether 1t was des-
tiny. or the development of propin-
guilty. or the influence Of our colon
lists, or faith in our institutions. Ha-
waii came under the flag in 1898, and
rejoices today as a part OF our re-
public.
Led 10 South Sens.
The lure of the waters or the march
of empire. or the call of commerce or
inscrutable destiny led us on, and we
went to the south seas and planted
with Spain came our sponsorship in
the Philippines, and the possession of
Guam; and SO we are deeply con-
cerned in the mid-Pacific, the south
seas and the very center of the far
east. We crave peace there as we do
on the continent. and we should be
remiss in performing a national duty
if we did not covenant the relations
than a half century we have had
part In influencing the affairs of the
Pacific, and our present proposed
commitments are not materially diff
ferent in character, nor materially
greater in extent. though fraught
with vastly less danger, than our un-
dertakings in the past.
We have convinced the unlocking and
interested powers that we covet the
possessions of no other power in the
far east, and We know for ourselves
that we crave no further or greater
governmental or territorial responsi-
bilities there. Contemplating what is
admittedly ours. and mindful of a
longtime and reciprocal friendship
with China, we do wish the opportu-
nifty to continue the development of
our trade peacefully, and on equality
with other nations. to strengthen our
ties of friendship. and to make sure
the righteous and just relationships
of peace.
Holding the possessions we do, en-
tertaining these views, and confess
ing these ambitions. why should we
not make reciprocal engagements to
respect the territory of others and
contract their respect of ours, and
thus quiet apprehension and put an
end to suspicion?
Cites Apprehension.
There has been concern. There has
been apprehension of territorial
greed, a most fruitful cause of war.
The conference has dissipated both,
and your ratification of the Covenants
made will stabilize a peace for the
breaking of which there is not a
shadow of reason or real excuse. We
shall not have less than before. No
one of us shall have less than before.
There is no narrowed liberty. no ham
in6anpndpncp
sovereifnty. no added obligation.
We will have new assurances, new
freedom from anxiety, and new mani
festations of the sincerity of our own
Intentions; a new demonstration of
that honesty which proclaims
righteous and powerful republic.
l am ready. to assume the sincerity
and the dependability of the assur-
ances of our neighbors of the old
world that they will respect our
rights, just as / know we mean to re-
spect theirs. / believe there is an in
violable national honor, and I bring
to you this particular covenant in the
confident belief that it is the out
standing compact of peace for the
Pacific. which will justify the limita-
ton of armament and prove a new
guarantee to peace and liberty, and
maintained sovereignty and free in
stitutions.
No .allusion has been made to the
treaty restraining and limiting the
use Of the submarine, and the prohibi-
ton of noxious gases in warfare
Since we are asking the worlds ad-
herence, it is easily assumed that
none in America will hold aloof
Relations to China.
Nor need 1 dwell on the nine power
treaty relating to principles and poll
cies to be followed in the relationship
of the signatory powers to China. Our
traditional friendship for the ancient