Omaha daily bee., 1922-02-19
Armament
Pacts Face
Long Delay
Controversies Within Foreign
Relations Committee Threat.
en- to Postpone Action on
Floor of Senate
Reservations Proposed

" ahninGtpns len. ~, Despite the
pressure Of both republican and
democratic senate leaders Tor prompt
action, controversies are developing
within the foreign relations commit
tee which may lead 10 4 long CONE
miiite discussion af the arms con-
ference treaties before any of them
are brought 10 the senate floor ior
ratification.
Some members of the committee
predicted today that the effort 20 Sc
cure a detailed legislation OF the
negotiations leading 10 the four-pow-
cr Pacific treaty would in itself mean
considerable delay Aficrward at
least four proposed reservations TO
this treaty. which is first on the list,
seem likely 10 come before the COM
mittee before il goes on TO the other
seven conference agreements that
await senate approval
The party leaders on both sides
are satisfied that the dlSagreemenls
and delays encountered will in no
way cndanger ratification OF any OF
the treaties. Thus lar there is no
evidence that any closely knit anti
treaty bloc" has been attained.
First Test of Strength.
The first test oE strength in the
committee NAV be during the COM
ing week over a proposal TO pursue
further the quest for detailed III
formation regarding the four-power
treaty negotiations. President Har-
ding is expected to inform the senate
Monday. in response TO its resolution
OF inquiry, that no minutes ot ihe
negotiations were kept. But 1t was
indicated tonight that such a reply
might not be acceptable to some
committee members and that an et-l
fort might be made 10 summon See
rotary Hughes, the American delega-
ton head, home from Bermuda
whore he las gone for rest.
Both Senator's Lodge and Under
wood, who were members OF thel
delegation, have told their colleagues
that virtually all the four-power
negotiations were carried on III tue
informal meetings OF the big
four" delegation heads, and those
who want the information argue that
the one man who can give It should
be brought before the committee.
Hitchcock to Leave Monday.
Senator Hitchcock, ranking demo-
cratic member Of the committee,
and author OF the resolution OF IN
quiry. plans to leave Washington
Monday for a western trip which |
probably will keep him away until
the end of the week. In his abb
sencc, the effort to secure additional
data is expected by committee menl-
bcrs to be taken Up by several re-
publican senator's, including Borah,
Idaho. Johnson, California, and |
Brandagec, Connecticut.
In addition to these three, Senator
Moses of New Hampshire and Nc
Cormick OF Illinois, are republican |
survivors of the old "irrcconcilablc |
battalion Of the Versailles treaty
fight, and the five together make up |
an element OF the republican COM
mittcc membership which the lead |
crs arc watching with particular In
terest. All five have expressed some |
doubts about provisions OF the four
power treaty and it is realized that
should they effect working agree
ment with the democratic members,
the result would be combination
strong enough to effect committee
action.
Underwood Confident.
The exact purpose of the demo-
Gratis, however, still IS matter OF
conjecture. Senator Underwood, as
democratic leader, is confident that
few democratic votes will be record
cd agains the treaty, and even SEN
ator Hitchcock has indicated that he
would vote for it after supporting
reservations.
Both Senators Borah and Bran
dagee are considering drafts of res
ervations to the four-power pact,
which may come before the commit
tee during the coming week. In
the main, their sugge>uons are said
TO have centered about these four
questions: That the treaty shall not
be construed as requiring use OF
iorce without express congressional
authorization; that violation of the
treaty by any signatory shall auto
matically terminate it as to the
others; that adjustments reached
under the treaty shall be subject to
senate ratification and that the pro-
visions for action when rights are
threatened by an outside power,
shall apply only when the threat is