Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-03-03
SENATORIAL PERFORMERS PIPE
A NEW AND CHEERING TUNE
The Ratification Theme Played Over the
Yap Treaty Heralds a Stimulating
International Symphony

TyHE sensation Of ratifying a treaty has
i not yet become habitual to the nerves
Of United States Senators. A certain
tingling must. therefore, have been exc
perienced in the upper house when more
than n two thirds majority Of that high
strung assembly confirmed the Yap compact
with Japan without reservation or amend
ment or even n change Of punctuation or
paragraphing. We are getting on.
The novelty of the procedure is undimin-
ished by the record Of the group of peace
treaties with the fragments and relcts Of
the Central Powers. adopted last autumn.
TO an unmistakable degree these were
mopping-up agreements. inevitable conse-
quences Of diplomatic tangle from which
they provided the only escape.
The war-terminating covenants were "old
business" New pastures limiting OF hat-
vests Of progress and constructive enterprise
have been entered. The American public
may for the moment be startled by this de-
parture, but it Is safe to assume that the
new thrill will prove pleasurable.
The Yap Treaty, concerned with one Of
the minor international problems in a vast
mosaic, is in a sense an Introductory ad-
justment. Its passage clears the way for
contact with much more vital subjects which
were the prime concern of the Washington
Conference.
1t is perhaps for this reason-a psyche
logically sound one--that the Yap Treaty
clarifying cable rights in somewhat in
significant island and fixing. with respect
to the United States. the status Of the Japa-
nese pandated possessions in the Pacific,
was chosen to lead the procession of COW
enants in the Senate. A ratification prece-
dent is obviously, worth while and should
prove Of tonic value.
The safe majority above the indispensable
two thirds secured for the agreement is in
structive in its reflection upon political
temperaments.
The shock of Republican opposition to
the number of three votes, cast by Senators
Borah, France and johnson, is quickly ab-
sorbed. Borah is friction personified.
France is n bizarre figure even on Capitol
Hill, and johnson will never cease to hiss
the japanese villain Of his own lively in
ternational imagination.
The nineteen Democrats who recoiled from
sanctioning the settlement are picturesqueiy
herded The forid Ashurst. the clowning
Harrison. the blatant Watson and the i'm
possible Reed conspicuously stamp the char
acter of this company. 1t is painful to
recognize Carter Glass in these demagoglc
and opportunst ranks. and Swanson, the
other Virginian. is similarly ill-placed. The
Democratic obstructionism may be regarded
as simply and narrowly partisan.
OF the thirteen pro treaty Senators of
the minority party, several rank among its
leaders. Hitchcock Underwood, Williams,
Broussard, Pomerene and Jones, of New
Mexico, have dismissed bigoted partisanship
in favor of frank realization of public duty.
There was no sane reason for antagonism
to the Yap Treaty. That instrument clari
fes situation arising in part from Ameri-
can renunciation of the League Of Nations
1t disposes effectively of problems upon
which, in their realistic aspects, the State
Department under both Colby and Hughes
held virtually identical views.
The "Yap menace" vastly exaggerated
but of pin -pricking potentiality, has been
averted. The theme is officially withdrawn
from world politics.
Its passing Is Of particular moment in
its emphasis upon the senatorial obligation
to indorse one Of the main accomplishments
Of the Washington parley-the Four Power
arbitration agreement. abrogating the Anglo
japanese Alliance, defining mutual rights
and responsibilities In the Pacific and setting
up a new structure Of reciprocal confidence
and peace.
1t cannot be denied that the advantage to
the United States in the zap adjustment is
significantly connected with the new order
outlined in the Four Power agreement.
The treaties of the Arms Conference are. in
a perfectly legitimate sense, interlocking.
The Yap understanding is an initial link in
the chain of concord.
In pressing immediate consideration of the
arbitral engagement between this Nation,
Great Britain, France and Japan Senator
Lodge is doubtless aware that discordant
voices will be raised. But it is possible
now, after what may be called a trial heat
to identify the type of opposition and to
view its anticipated reverberatbns without
serious alarm.
An Instructive grouping Of Senators has
been made. There are encouraging evil
dences that folly and obstructionism will
not prevail. The motif Of ratification has
been detected In the senatorial score.
1t Is tune with which the American
public has grown unfamiliar, but its charm
and clarity are deeply acceptable.