Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-03-12
Treaty's Purposes, PoSsibiI-
tiles and Manner of Its
Negotiation Subject of Hot
Debate in Senate.
G. o. P. ONSLAUGHT LED
BY B0RAH AND FRANCE
Robinson, Reed, Glass,
Walsh and Watson, Take
Lead for Democrats in
Opposing Ratification.
tBy The Associated Press.)

Washington, March IL
T h c four-power Pacific
treaty, its purposes and
possibilities and the manner
of its negotiations, passed
through another spectacular
combat of argument and
oratory today on the floor
of the senate.
Throughout the battle of
wits the burden of defense
was carried by Senator Un-
derwood of Alabama, the
democratic floor leader and
a member of the American
delegation to the arms con-
ference. Hinged by enemies
of the treaty, largely of his
own party, the minority
leader stood for three hours
in his place in the center of
the chamber and replied in
kind to the thrusts directed
at him.
Hughes Letter
Among the weapons of argument
used by the Alabama senator was
letter written to him by Secre-
tary Hughes, head of the American
conference plenipotentiaries re-
plying to charges that the treaty re-
suited from u British-J Japanese
plan to allay the embarrassment
of the Anglo-Japanese alliance.
Mr. Hughes asserted that he him
self had prepared a draft of the
treaty after consultation with the
other delegates and that. with
minor changes it became the final
text as signed and submitted to the
senate for ratification.
The state department secretary
further declared there was mot
the slightest mystery about the
treaty or basis of suspicion about
it, He described it as a straight
forward document which attains
one of he most important objects
the American government has had
in view of the highest Importance
to the maintenance of friendly re-
lations in the Far East upon a
sound basis.
I'm view Of this and In view of
the relation of this treaty to thu
results of the conference" con-
cluded Mr.. Hughes, "its failure
would be nothing short of a ma
tional calamity"
ArSUmentative Duel.
The argumentative duel which
followed the reading OF the secre-
tary's letters and which interposed
itself in the senator's prepared ad-
dress was fought for an hour be-
tween the speaker and Senator
Robinson, democrat. Of Arkansas
who originally had raised the ques-
tion of the origin of the treaty and
who declared that the secretarys
letter had not dispelled the evil
dences that the four-power ar
rangement was inspired from
London and Toxic. Other demo-
Gratis, then Joined in the question
ing OF their party leader, includ-
Ing Senators Reed of Missouri,
Glass OF Virginia Walsh of Mon
tana, and Watson Of Georgia.
From the republican side of the
chamber their efforts were second
ed by Senators Borah of Idaho and
France Of Maryland.
No Alliance Contemplated.
His support of the treaty, Sena-
tor Underwood said, was actuated
by the same spirit that prompted
him to vote for the treaty of YER
sailles, with its league of nations.
He declared no alliance was con-
but added that he
could see no objection even to an
alliance II it were based on arbi-
tration rather than force and ef-
faced dangers that threatened
interes.s In the Pacific.
To reject the pact because it does