The Washington herald., 1922-02-07
Seen
Both Parties in Favor of
Naval Limitation
Treaty.
DEMOCRATS SHOW
NO SIGN OF FIGHT
Four Power Agreement
May Be Amended by
NOn-Force Clause.

Early ratification of the naval lin
itation treaty by the Senate is ex-
pected by both Democrats and Re-
publicans.
This pact among the several
growing out of the arms conference,
has aroused least criticism Its ac-
ceptance, from present Indications.
willie be almost unanimous Even
Senator Borah. OF Idaho, leading ir-
reconcilable. will vote for II. say
observers.
The four-power Pacific treaty,
however will meet greater difficul-
ties. as will the treaties relating
to China.
Sentiment in the Senate is not yet
crystallized, particularly among the
Democrats. whose decisions will de-
termine to a large degree the
amount of opposition the treaties
will encounter. But II In believed
that IL a vote could be taken at once.
all the treaties would be ratified by
an overwhelming majority.
I Amendment II Foreseen.
Opposition may increase of course,
as treaty opponents point out de-
fects and argue from the floor but
II would seem that not more thar
fifteen votes would be recorded
against even the least popular pact
the four-power Pacinc treaty.
This treaty. II is predicted, will
be amended and the amendment may
come from the foreign relations
committee itself. The amendment
will be in the form of a reservation,
declaring tdat nothing in the treaty
may be construed as putting moral
obligation on the United States tto
useiforce when the interests Of Tn
signatory powers in ;he Pacific are
threatened. 1rreconcilables argue
that mofsl obligation is implied
in the clause. which provides for
a meeting of the four powers to de-
termine what shall be done when
the interests Oh any one OF them
are threatened
Lodge Would Accent.
Senator Lodge. Republican leader
and one of the arms conference del
egates, is willing to accept this res
ervation to quiet opposition. Sena-
tor Borah will offer it, Support for
IL in the Foreign Relations Com
mittee can be expected from Sena-
tors Brandegee. of Connecticut:
Johnson. of California: Moses. of
New Hampshire. and Mccormick, of
Illinois. So the reservation prob
ably will he attached in committee
to avoid long debate on the floor
Lodge does not believe the reser-
walton is necessary. because he con-
tends no obligation to use force
exists. He holds further that his
speech. Interpreting the treaty and
its scope. is an official interpreta-
ton in the absence of objections
from other countries. But he has
no objection to a reservation which
would not alter the treaty textu-
ally alter any of its purpose.
johnson Not Satisfied.
with this reservation. much of the
objection to the treaty will disap-
pear. 4 large amount of it van
ished when the Japanese homeland
specifically was eliminated from
the treaty' scope.
Senator McNary, of Oregon. mild
reservationist, who. had expected TO
offer reservations, is now satisfied
except on this one point. II the
force" reservation is adopted, he
will support the treaty. Some OF
the irreconcilables hold the same
view.
Senator johnson, of California,
who, with Senator Borah was chief
opponent of the treaty of Yer
sailles, is not satisfied by the elimi-
nation of the japanese homeland.
and will oppose the treaty. Like
Senator Borah. he holds that It is
dangerous and entangling foreign
alliance.
Democrats Arc Waiting.
The treaties will be sent to the
Senate as soon as the. American
delegation has reported to Presi-
dent Harding, according to Senator
Lodge. This may not be before next
week. since a large amount of ma
terial is to be collected and studied.
and a lengthy report drawn. Sem
ator Lodge said he was confident
that the treaties will be ratified
without great delay. because of the
tremendous popular pressure in
their behalf.
Senator Curtis. Republican whip
said he is certain the treaties will
be ratified. The naval treaty. he
thought, would be reported from
committee first, so the naval appro-
priation bill can be completed
The Democrats are maintaining
their policy of silence and open
milde6ness, pending an explanation
OF the treaties in a party conference
by Senator Underwood, Democratic
leader, and one of the American
delegates.
waiting for Explanation.
The situation is just like IL has
been,s said Senator Pat Harrison,
CT Mississippi. one OF the leaders.
Harrison knew Of no organised
Democratic opposition. nor of any
indication that former President
Wilson will participate in the Dem
ocratic decisions. The treaties will
be ratffied, with most of the Demo-
Gratis supporting them. he thought.
Senator Carter Glass, Of virginia,
IRON whom opposition might be ex-
pected, said the Democrats are nor
yet rAedys 10 determine their course
Of action.
They are awaiting an explana-
Corttaaed on Pare Posr.