Grand Forks herald., 1922-03-14
COERCION AND THE TREATY.
lator Johnson says that he viii! vote against


the fourpower treaty because, in substance, rep.
resents the coercion o the United States BY the
other powers under the menace OF danger II the
treaty not executed. That is as reasonable as
most of MIR. Jollnsons other arguments the sub.
,ect of treaties have been. He maintains that the
Cnted States was forced into acceptance Of tho
treaty by being required to choose between this
treaty and the continuation of the Anglo Japanese
treaty. with the danger to this country involved III
the earlier treaty.
The Anglo japanese treaty was agreed to by
Great Britain because it provided the only means
then available for the security of British interests in
the east against a revival OF that Russian aggres-
siveness which i'll instance resulted in the
Crrnean war, in another dangerously near in
voving Great Britain in another war i'll southeast
ern Europe, and which had acquired constant watch
fulness in Persia Afghanistau, along the northern
Indian border, and in fact, througho central Asia
Since the time of Catherine the Great the possession
Of Constantnople had been one of the pet projects
OF the militaristic group in Russia, and the idea of
making Russia great Pacific power had been held
by the same element with less tenacity. The
realization OF that ambition involved the subjuga-
ton OF Japan and British craftsmanship conceived
this to be Numerically opposed to the interests OF
their empire. Japan welcomed alliance which
afforded her measure OF security and Britain was
interested in the maintenance OF apan as strong,
independent power. Under the circumstances the
alliance was natural and mutually beneficial
Thinking Americans have not in recent years
Great Britain as possibility. But enough things
have happened in intercourse with Japan to
warrant anxiety oyer the evidences of her
ambition and aggressveness. With multitude of
questions involving the interests Of the two coun-
tries in Pacific territory unsettled. with Japan
was more than possibility and in the event Of sucl,
a war the British alliance would have been very
inconvenent thing for US.
During the past few years many OF the condi-
tons which rendered that alliance desirable from,
the British stand point have disappeared. More
over the alliance itself had grown in dsfavor in the
British possessions bordering the Pacific. Can
ada New Zealand and Australia shared largely the
American attitude toward Japan, and desired the
termination OF the treaty. Great Britain and the
United States therefore, entered the arms confer
ence with mutual desire for the termination Of the
Japanese alliance, but good faith and courtesy de-
inanded that there be cavalier treatment OF
Japan. Instead of the security afforded to Japan
under the former alliance she is now given the Sc
curty of an amicable understanding covering all
her rights in the Pacific and the guarantee from
each OF the other three signatories that they will
not molest her in the possession Of territory tc
which she has clear title. The same guarantee is
given by all of the signers to each of their number
4 situation which was fraught with danger is end
cd, and in its place their is created one of amity
Mr.. Johnson calls that coercion. He refuses tc
be coerced. If that is coercion, any settlement o.
hitherto unsettled questions in order that future
misunderstanding may be avoided is coercion bu
it is on that very and sensible basis that hu
man beings are able to live peaceab1y together