Evening star., 1922-03-31

ChlneSe tar1f1 treaty. oS TO l. senator
King of Utah. democrat. cast the only
vote against the Chinese tariff treaty
On the final ratification roll calls the
affirmative expression of Senate
opinion was all but unanimous. Not
a single vote was cast against the faI
eastern treaty, drawn to guarantee a
new bill of rights to China, and there
was only one dissenting vote when
the constitutional advice and con-
sent" was given to the pact for re-
vision of the Chinese tariff. The
totals. respectively, were 66 to and
50 to /.
Exceeded Expectations.
The momentum with which the rati
fication program was swept tS con-
clusion exceeded the expectations of
the administration leaders. who had
not hoped to end the debate before to-
night By yesterdays accomplish
ment the Senate set new record for
action, four far-reaching international
covenants having been ratified within
two days, and six within the last
week.
developed over the far eastern treaty.
although Senator Borah, republican,
Idaho. expressed a fear that it and
the other far eastern settlements of
the arms conference might be inter-
preted in years to come as giving
gression that have been committed
in the past in the orient. He was
among those, however. who cast their
votes for ratification.
To a suggestion that there might
be an obligation to use American
Senator Underwood replied:
NO. but / dent say We wouldn't
do it,
This treaty is an absolute declara-
ton of rights for China on the part
of the nations signatory." Senator
Underwood continued. 1T is some
thing do not believe has ever hap
pened before in the worlds history
to protect a weak nation until she is
able to establish an effective govern
ment and take her proper place in the
family of nations. All that's done in
this pact by these nations is to guar
antee among themselves the rights of
these people. their territorial integ-
rity, Che right to govern themselves
and equal opportunity to all in trade
and commerce.
Now you may criticise this pact
and say that some of China's territory
has been taken and not returned. You
may say that Japan has occupied
Manchuria and has~only promised to
come out / think she will come out.
But those are matters of the past.
There's no man on this floor who can
say that China's territorial integ.
rity and national sovereignty isn't
better off by the making Of this
treaty.
There's no more altruistic treaty
ever been written in the history of
nations and I believe 1t is for the
great good of the world, as well as
for China"
Reason for Opposition.
Senator King. democrat, Utah. made
lengthy address explaining his op-
position to the four-power treaty.
which, he said. would weaken and
embarrass the league of nations and
tend to produce counter-alliances and
strife.
An unusually small number of SEN
ators attended the debate yesterday.
only four, all democrats, being on the
floor at one time.
Although expressing approval Of the
policies enunciated in tho far eastern
treaty, Senator Borah, republican.
Idaho, said he feared that in future
years the action Of the arms confer
ence. taken as a whole, might be in
terpreted as giving "tacit consent to
the aggressions that have taken place
on Chinese soA in the past" He said
he realized that the treaties con-
cluded contained no such expressed ap-
provaI, but declared the real intent
Of the conference would be judged in
surrounding it. -
China, Senator Borah pointed out,
called to the attention of the confer
ence several questions, on which 1t
failed to take any remedial action.
He asserted that practically none of
teRrity are dealt with in the far
eastern treaty." although he assumed
that the delegates accomplished all
they could in that direction.
Explains Tariff Treaty.
The terms of the Chinese tariff
treaty, which provides for revision
of the Chinese customs system by an
international commission, were ex-
plained to the Senate by Senator I'm
arms conference committee that
drafted the pact. He DECLARED 1t
would greatly increase Chinese rev.
enues and thus aid toward rehabili-
tation of the Chinese republic.
In response to suggestion by Sem
to adjust her own tariff schedules
without the interference of the pow
ers, Senator Underwood said the
present pact only ameliorates exist
ing treaties on the same schedule
and represented as great an advance
cumstances. One of these treaties
he said, had been ratified by the Sen
ate as late as May 26, 1921.
II recognize" continued the demo-
cratic leader. that the right to con-
troll customs revenues is a part OF
the fact that nations have sovereign
powers does not mean that they do
not at times yield a part of that
sovereignty for their own good.
China had made contracts with ten
nations yielding a part Of her SOW
ereignty by agreeing that she could
not levy any import duty in excess OF
per cent. China was not the only
nation who had made such contracts
We ourselves have made certain reci-
procity treaties, by which we agreed
that We would charge only certain
tariff rates.
Senator Hitchcock, democrat, Ne
braska, interrupted to suggest that
there was a great difference between
reciprocity treaty and a treaty
forced on China and for which she
gets nothing in return"
treaty was forced on China" replied
Senator Underwood, that is far from
the facts. There was not one syllable
Of this treaty written until China
first had consented and asked that it
be DONE"
Mr.. Underwood added that he had
stated repeatedly in the conference,
he hoped the day would come when
complete tariff autonomy would be
given to China, but that under pres
ent circumstances it seemed imprac-
ticable.
Charges Hypocrisy.
Senator Hithceck declared it would
be outrageous to adopt a far. eastern
treaty pledging respect for China S
administrative integrity and immedi-
ately aftsrward to give approval to