The New York herald., 1922-03-09
FOUR POWER TREATY
A PLEDGE OF PEACE
Continued from First Page.

tiary OF Japan, on special mission
1T was described in the notes them
selves as public announcement of the
desires and intentions shared by the two
Governments with regard to China. This
exchange of notes, in the nature OF
things, did not constitute anything more
than a declaration of executive policy.
1t is hardly necessary TO point out that
such declaration, or exchange of notes.
could not have any effect whatever in
consistent with treaty obligations whether
existing or thereafter coming into force.
Certain interests Defined.
"The statement in the notes in ques-
tion which apparently called for the
United States resolution is as follows:
The Governments OF the United
States and Japan recognizes that terri
torial propinquity creates special rela-
tions between countries. and. conse-
quently. the Government of the United
States recognizes that Japan has split
interests in China and particularly in
the part to which her possessions are
contiguous
In the light of the other declara-
tions of the notes in question 1t has
been the view OF the Government of
the United States that this reference
to special interests in China did not
recognize any right or claim inconsistent
with the sovereignty or political inde-
pendence of China or with our open
door policy
That this was not an erroneous con-
struction appears from the meaning
ascribed to the phrase special interests
In China which Is found in the final
statement made on behalf OF Japan at
-.
1876, 9th Cong. I'd sess,. y. 223) The
phrase was interpreted to mean that
propinquity gave rise to an interest
differing only in degree, but not in
kind. as compared with the interests
OF other Powers. 1t was said to intimate
no claim or pretension Of any kind
prejudcial to China or to any other
foreign nation and not TO connote any
Intention of securing preferential or ex-
elusive economic rights In China.
Happily as rebuilt of the confer
ence, it Is not now necessary to con-
slider any possible ambiguity in the
expressions used In the Lansing -Ishii
agreement OF 1917. as any question
which they might have raised has been
completely set at rest by the treaty
now before the Senate, to which the
United States and japan are parties.
II refer to the treaty between the
nine Powers which explicitly sets forth
the principles and policies to be main
tained by the signatory Powers in rela-
ton to China.
''It is thus agreed to respect the SOW
ereignty. the independence and the
territorial and administrative integrity
OF China: to provide the fullest and
most unembsrrassed opportunity TO de-
velop and maintain for herself an ef-
fective and stable government: to use
their influence for the purpose of ef-
fectually establishing and maintaining
tbe principle OF equal opportunity for
the commerce and industry OF all ma
tions throughout the territory of China:
to refrain from taking advantage or
conditions In China in order to secure
special rights or privileges which would
abridge the rights of subjects or citizens
OF friendly states, and from countenanc-
Ing action inimical to the security OF
such states.
More specifically. the signatory