The New York herald., 1922-03-31
Underwood Explains Gus
toms Plan Is i'm Accord
With Pekin Plea.
BORAH HELPS MEASURE
All Pacts to Be Sent Promptly
to U. s. Ambassadors in
Countries Affected.

WASHINGTON. March 30.-The Senate
to-day completed the ratification of
the cycle of six treaties growing out
of the Conference for Limitation of
Armament. The nine Power treaty
relative to principles and policies con-
fed with a vote of 65 to 0. The treaty
regarding Chinese tariffs was ratified
by vote of 5S to ], Senator King
(Utah) casting the one dissenting vote.
Senator Underwood (Ala.) dissipated
charges made by some Senator's that
China had been hoodwinked and op-
pressed by this treaty. which, it was
said. took away from her the right to
fix her own tariffs.
Senator Underwood said the treaty ar
rangement made was at the request of
the Chinese delegation and that in adj
dition it was a contract agreement
which the Chinese could denounce at
any time and assume full control OF
their tariff. The Chinese. he said, did
not regard IL expediept to assume the
responsibility now. A statement by
Senator Underwood that Senator King
did not understand the situation aroused
the Utah Senator. who attacked the
treaty and finally voted against 1t.
Victory for Underwood.
Ratification is victory for the Re
publican Administration and q personal
.f~tx - C. ~.
cratic floor leader, who has been op-
posed by the majority group of Senator'S
on his own side of the chamber.
The four Power treaty was reported
to the Senate from the Foreign Rela-
tions Committee February 25. and
within a little more than a month all
Of the treaties growing out of the con-
ference have been ratified in the face
of spirited opposition on the part of
Democratic Senators and small group
OF irreconcilable Republicans
The treaty with Japan growing out
of the Ysp controversy and settling that
issue was ratified in advance of the
six conference treaties.
These treaties are the four Power Pa
cific treaty. the supplemental. four
Power treaty excluding the Japanese
mainland from its provisions, the naval
limitation treaty. the submarine and poi
ties ratified to-day--one declaring rrin-
cipIes and policies relative to China.
which pledges the Powers to the policy
of the open door and to respect the po-
litical and territorial integrity of China.
and the other increasing Chinese tariffs
to per cent. with provision for further
increase later.
Senator Underwood during the debate
to-day explained he had charge of the
-. e..
American delegation and that he had
consulted every step with the delega-
ton. At one time it. was thought an
agreement could not be reached, and he
was urgeo by these delegates to renew
his efforts He explained the temporary
sacrifice vf sovereign power by a nation
was frequently made, either for its own
good or for the good OF the world. The
United States. he said. had done the
same thing in several instances.
China Not Tied Down.
Urging that China has the right 20
denounce this treaty at any time she
sees at, Senator Underwood claimed IL
was merely a contract agreement which
did not have any definite time to run.
The United States, he said. had tcrmi-
mated similar agreements in the case of
authorizing the President to cancel trade
agreements with foreign countries was
an example in point.
Senator Underwood said he hoped for
the assumption of complete tariff au-
tonomy by China at the quickest pos
sible moment. He pointed out that the
Senate had within a year ratified
separate treaty with China fixing the
rates 10 be charged on American goods
Mt a rate Uwer than that authorized In
the present treaty. In view of that fact
he could see no reason why Senator'S
should vote against this treaty.
"If this treaty is not ratified" Scna-
tor Underwood said, "Chna will be in
worse position than before. Further
more. the present arrangement calls for
lower duty on goods going into China
overland from which France Germany
and Russia derive advantage. IL Is well
for us 10 have the interests OF China AT
heart. but VIC should not sacrifice those
or our own people who would be placed
at a very grave commercial disadvantage
by this arrangement"
Some members of the Senate who OPP
posed tnv four power pact charged that
the Far Eastern treaty imposed
"norai obligation" to take up arms In
certain contingencies. but were told by
the treaty supporters that u contained
no such obligation.
The discussion rcvolved about the
language In which the signatory pow
crs agree TO respect China's integrity
and ITO provide the fullest and most
,nenbarrasscd opportunity TO China TO
develop and maintain for sarsef an ef-
faeuve and stable government"
As~ed what course the ssnatories
could pursue II some nation violated
shis pledge. Senator Underwood replied
that tho course adopted would be the
rame as VIC took in the case Of Shan
t.sas"
-;-ne signatories would make their
Continued on Page Two.