The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1922-04-07
BY EDWARD w. PlckARD


HAVING made their losing fight
1 i against the Pacific four-power
pact, the obstreperous minority in the
senate ceased from troubling last
week, and fell into line-all but Sem
ator France of Maryland. The treaty
on limitation of navies, chief work
of the Washington conference, after
an inconsequential debate, was rati-
fed on Wednesday by a vote Of "a to
]. Mr.. France defended his lonely
negative vote by contending that the
United States should continue build
ing the largest navy in the world un-
til all other nations had shown their
willingness to abolish war totally. OF
the other irreconcilables, Borah ex-
planned that he favored the treaty
because it was step toward the goal
at which he had been aiming for many
years, namely, complete disarmament.
and that. he believed this agreement
was as much as the International con-
ference was able to accomplish. John.
son of California did not disguise his
dislike for the pact, especially its Pa
cific Notifications clause. but he voted
for ratification on the assurance Of
the navy general board that the United
States would not give up anything that
is strategically vital. King of Utah,
though accepting the treaty, thought
1t would have small effect in reduc-
ing naval expenditures, predicting that
huge sums now would be spent on
aircraft and submarines.
Immediately after the vote of ratifi-
cation the senate took up the treaty
prohibiting the use Of poison gas and
restricting the use, Of submarines in
warfare and accepted it unanimously.
Before casting his vote Senator Wads-
worth of New York, chairman of the
military affairs committee, expressed
the opinion that In the next war this
treaty would not be worth the paper
1t was written on.
For my own part" said Senator
Wadsworth. II shall be very much dis
couraged If the United States army
should stop trying to perfect gas
masks because of this treaty. We
don't dare stop. And the only way
we can perfect gas masks is to test
them with the kind of gases which we
may have to combat. We might as
well look the facts in the face"
Before the week closed, the remain
ing treaties, the nine-power pact re-
lating to China and the one, dealing
with the Chinese tariff, were put
through, and thus the senate complet-
ed its part in making the great
Washington conference a success.
Naturally, and with reason. the Dem
ocrats claim share in this accom-
plishment, especially asserting that
former President Wilson must be
given much credit for arousing public
opinion in favor of naval limitation.
1t is evident, however. that the Repub-
licans will make large use Of the con-
ference and its results in this years
congressional campaign.
There is every reason to believe the
treaties will be speedily ratified by the
other powers party to them. Indeed,
not one of them is in a position to
afford to hold back from full agree
ment.
A LTHOUGH the naval treaty places
"A our navy on level with that of
Great Britain, it will in fact be scarce
ly equal to that Of Japan If the naval
appropriations subcommittee of the
house has its way. That body, under
the leadership of Representative Pat
Kelley of Michigan, is determined to
cut the naval enlisted personnel to