New-York tribune., 1922-03-21
Debate Acrimonious Over
Idaho Mans Interpreta-
ton of What Cravath
Asserts He Didn't Say
Anglo American
Compact Denied
Speech Is Deprecated by
Senators as Reflection
on Good Faith of Z. S.

From The Tribune's Wnsfinoto1s Bureou
WASHINGTON, March 20.-The
most acrimonious debate yet pro-
voked by the four power treaty was
precipitated in the Senate to-day
when Senator Borah read a state
ment purporting to emanate from
Paul D. Cravath, New York lawyer,
asserting that the Washington con-
ference had brought about an under
standing between Great Britain and
the United States for Anglo-Ameri-
can naval cooperation in the Pacific.
Heated denial was made by Sena-
tors Lodge and Underwood. members
of the American delegation at the
arms conference, that there was such
an understanding. Mr.. Lodge ar
gued that the charge was reflection
upon his honor. Mr.. Cravath issued
a statement in New York denying
the authorship of the declaration
credited to him.
"No such understanding was ever
thought of or dreamed OF or men
toned" declared Senator Lodge He
said he resented insinuations that tbs
American delegates "were prepared to
betray their country" and branded the
charges as Infamous.
Senator Underwood said that the
charges pictured the American dele
gates as "treacherous" and were un-
worthy of the American people.
Have you no pride in your govern
ism gone to the winds? Do you not
believe your government is longer
honest or faithful or true to a trust
Such an agreement would be infamous
if true"
The debate in the Senate became bit-
tery personal and Senator Borah was
severely criticized for bringing forth
such Il charge. Senator Lenroot said
the opposition was becoming more and
more desperate" and was willing "to
go beyond the bounds of what ! be-
lieve to be American" He asserted
that in giving countenance to the state
ment imputed to Mr.. Cravath- the op-
position charged the American dele
gates with "treachery" and he in
dignantly resented such "insinuations'
and "innuendoes.'
Call OF Witnesses Suggested
Senator Robinson, of Arkansas. who
is leading the Democratic opposition
to the four-power treaty, repeatedly
demanded to know the facts and sug-
gested that the Foreign Relations Com
mittee call before it Secretary Hughes,
Mr.. Root and Mr.. Cravath.
| After the debate Democrats opposed
| to the treaty held an informal con-
ference and it was decided that to-
morrow a motion will be offered by
Senator Shields to recommit the treaty
to the Foreign Relations Committee
with instructions to summon Mr.. Root,
Mr.. Cravath and any other witnesses
who may give information of import
ance to the committee. Secretary
Hughes, it is expected, will be included
in the list.
Should the treaty be recommitted.
this, it is said by the Democratic lead
ers, would end the unanimous consent
agreement for a vote Friday. 1t is
expected the motion will be voted
down. In that case the Democrats will
renew their charges of secrecy
Apart from the increased bitterness
engendered, the controversy to-day did
not outwardly change the voting situa-
tion and it is taken for granted ths
treaty will be ratified. However, it
nn 70 .vious that each days debate adds
to the feeling and i'll temper.
Senators Consult Harding
President Harding was assured to-
day by Senator Lodge the treaty would
be ratified. Senator'S Lodge, Curtis and
McCormick and National Republican
Chairman John 7. Adams conferred
with the President on the question Of
keeping in the treaty the modified
Brnndegee reservation. The President
took the ground the reservation should
be adopted. At the conference the
question of the part the Washington
conference would play in the coming
campaign also was considered. 1t was
decided to give it utmost prominence.
Senator Borah brought up the state
mont imputed to MIR. Cravath few
minutes after the session opened
While he did not say so on the floor
he said later it was made February II
before foreign relations council ir
New York. The statement which Sen
ator Borah read purported TO be g
stenographic report of Mr.. Cravath's
words with questions by "Mr. Davis,
who, it is said, was Norman K. Davis
former Under-Secretary of State. l,
| IolioWS:
"Cravath-Now to my mind yer,
important part of the achievement o.
the Washington conference is no.
: recorded at all in black and white ii
that treaty or in any Of the other treA
ties that were negotiated. And that i.
the bringing about of what seems to b,
q sympathetic understanding betwee,
= the United States and Great Britain re
. garding the Far East and Pacific ques
! tions generally. quite agree tha
E undtr the program produced by thos'
!. treaties we have practically surren
j dered our naval position in the Pacific
o assume that without further fortifica
v tions in the Pacific and that with th'
n fleets and fortifications as agreed uRAl
r we could not successfully con,peeN f1
i Japan in the Pacific alone and ce14o1
e we could not compete with an Ans
t Japanese fleet In that region.
"On the other hand. and Co IA
e mind, this is the much more sncoux
o aging statement based ON the saya
i facts. An Anglo-American feet in tn
e Pacific would dominate Japan, and
seems to me that we have substitute