The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-24
Arms Conference Treaties
 Thought ChiefAchieUen1ent
 OF Present Administration
Underwood Thinks Democrats Could Deprive Opponents of Glory by Supporting Facts inI the Senate
Ny HUGH w. ROBERTS Washington Bureau, The Age Herald
 800 Davidson BuiIdi

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 Washingon, March 2S.-(Special.) John T. Adams of Iowa, chairman of the republican national commit tee, after consultation with Pres ident Harding and Senator Lodge. in- inmates pointedly today that in the forthcoming congressional elections, he will put forward the treaties of the Washington conference as the most important achievement of the administration.
 In the opinion of democratic lead CTS in Washington, the fruit of the Washington conference Is all that the Harding administration has pro dueed. Senator Underwood, demo- cratic leader, in a statement this afternoon, declared that but for op- position on the part of many dem ocrats in the Senate to the four power pact, the republicans, in the congressional elections, would be en- tirely without an issue.
 From a party standpoint, he re- gards the opposition of his colleagues as very unwise.
 Would be Best Policy
 "The best way in my opinion" said Senator Underwood. Ito deprive po- litical opponents of strong issue growing out of legislation, is to CO., operate with them in enactlng such legislation-especially when it is ob Viously good and popular.
 some of my colleagues differ from me, of course. and time only can tell the story. But 1 hold that had tho HRn1nRTafq m t4rf ff. treaty was sent to the Senate. said We supported the Versailles treaty this treaty embraces the principle of the Versailles treaty: of course, we will vote for it, for it will work to- wards the peace of the world:' the republicans would have been deprived of the only achievement to which they can point with pride.
 Tt was by the votes of the dem oerats and independent republicans that the resolution out of which the Washington conference was evolved, passed tho house of Congress. There Is no question but that the republi- cans are glad that so many demo- crats protest against the treaty. For thus they are given an issue"
 VIII Not be Issue
 Senator Underwood added tha. after the treaty is ratified, it will not be live issue in future campaigns. In his opinion. it will remain simply as a republican asset of which the democrats might have deprived the republican party. But were demo- crats to defeat the treaty. then in the opinion of Senator Underwood, it would become a very live issue and a great handicap and blight to dem ocratic hopes
 There are others who do not share the views of Mir. Underwood. Ser nard Baruch and Joseph P Tumulty, conspicuous during the Wilson ad- ministration, and rated as first class democratic politicians, have worked indefatigably against the treaty. It Is evident that they regard their politics as good politics; that they hold that the democratic party, in opposing the treaty, or even in de- feating the treaty, would be work Ing in it's own political interest.
 William J. Bryan, another demo- cratic observer, differs from that view Woodrow Wilson and W. c. McAdoo have had nothing to say.
 Adams Pleased
 At any rate, the opposition of dem ocrats pleases Chairman Adams. For without proof that the majority of democrats would defeat the treaty. and thus that the democrats will not be responsible for it, he would have to face the people almost with ex- cuse.
 Even republicans do not point with pride to the record of Con gress. It IS only the very bold who regard that record as creditable to the party and will so state in a loud voice