Arizona republican., 1922-03-12

Apparently the gentlemen of the senate who are
opposing the Four-Party Treaty are wasting time
in finding fault with the manner in which the terms
arrived at. The terms themselves are before
them and they alone are essential. Whether or not
Mr. Hughes kept the public in the dark as to what
the conference was doing or whether he permitted
garbled reports Of the proceedings to circulate
not alter the merit the lack Of merit Of the pacts.
This criticism from of small group Of
Democratici senators who were sworn to oppose
any treaty but who would have supported any
possible treaty that might have been inaugurated
under Democratic administration.
There may be honest difference Of opinion
about the treaty itself. The irreconcables of both
parties will oppose it on the general grounds
that they opposed the covenant OF the League Of
Nations even it was proposed to remove it's
Objectionable features by the Lodge reservations.
We do not think, though that the irreconcilables,
though with the aid Of a small Democratic faction
headed BY Senators Robinson and Harrison. will be
able to defeat the treaty
Nor do we think the whole former irreconcilable
strength can be mustered against the treaty for
bound byit to no interference with affairs which
are own. 1t is only an agreement as to mat
tiers in which we concerned, and If the adjust
ment provided for in the treaty not accepted it may
later happen that differences will arise which will
have to be adjusted under less happy auspices than
those Of the late surprisingly friendly conference
With the ratification Of the treaty by the United
States there would pass the old Anglo Japanese ali
which has aroused so much anxious concern
in this country. If the senate should reject the
treaty should so condition the ratification as
alter the meaning Of the agreement Great Britain
France and Japan would, Of course. be bound
Then there would be continuation of the Anglo
Japanese alliance and we would continue to hear
about "an inevitable war between the United States
and Japan"
If there was ever danger Of such war, rather
If there was ever any reason why those who feared
such war had for fearing it. that reason would be
multiplied by the failure Of the senate Of the United
states to act favorably on an arrangement which
the representatives Of the four powers had agreed
was fair the prevention Of friction which might
produce war. But such an increase Of danger has
been somewhat offset by the friendly understand
ing arrived at in the conference and which did not
exist before.
The failure of the four-power treaty would not
necessarily mean the rejection Of the naval lmita-
ton agreement by the senate but it is morally
tain that American sentiment in favor of that agree
ment would cool rapidly. 1t might become so
strongly adverse to the senate to reject the
limitation agreement also, whatever might be the
separate judgment Of senate with respect the
wisdom Of doing so.
we were subjected to some criticism from abroad
for rejecting covenant though foreign statesmen
generally recognized reasonable grounds for
holding aloof But II we should reject the four
power treaty. we fear the other parties to the pact
could find good for us. and suspicion would
succeed to friendliness
There is undoubtedly vigorous popular demand
in this country for reduction Of the naval structure
both OF economy and friendly express
sion in favor Of peaceful world but this demand
would grow notably less instead if there should arise
a situation debating a continuance Of the Anglo
Japanese alliance. While want economy, do
not want it at the expense of inadequate defense