New-York tribune., 1922-03-12
Underwood Reads Letter
From Secretary TO Re-
fute Charge Pact Was
Dictated by Foreigners
U S. Imposed On?
Absurd, Is Reply
Senator Contends People
Support AZ Agreement
1'ha', lnsures Peace
svo,, rhe ryibnucs surop,on Bvroo,.

FROM fhe ITichNc : european Bureau
WASHINGTON, March 11.-Fail-
ure Of the Senate to ratify the four
power treaty would be nothing
short Of national calamity" Sec
retary Of State Hughes declafed in
letter TO Senator Underwood which
the latter read on the Senate floor
to-day.
Disposing Of charges that the
treaty had been framed by tie Brit
ish and Japanese as an alternative
TO their own Anglo-Japane e ALI
ance, Secretary Hughes explained
that he himself had drafted the
document on the basis of various
suggestions which had been ex-
changed between the delegates"
The Secretary challenged intima-
tons that the American delegates
lad been Imposed upon" or that in
Eigue or undue secrecy had been
connected with the preparation of
the treaty. He added that there
we're no secret notes or understand
lngs, and that the treaty was what
it appeared on its face, "a straight
forward document which attains one
Of the most important objects the
American government has had,
:. : the maintenance of friend
" relations in the Far East upon a
sound basis
Speech Aids Ratification
Senator Underwood, who was one of
ne american delegates at the arma-
nent limitation, conference, read the
letter in the course of a speech he
made urging ratification. Supporters of
the treaty agreed later that the Ala
bsms Senator's speech strengthened
the case for ratification.
Senator Underwood emphasized the
letter Of Secretary Hughes as refuting
various assertions and insinuations as
70 where the treaty came from, and he
pointed out that the letter was from
"a great American whose word could
not be challenged.
For three hours Senator Underwood
held the floor, and in much of that
!me there was an animated and bril-
liant debate, in which he was freely
Questioned By Senator'S Robinson, of
arkansas; Walsh, of Montana; Reed,
OF Missouri; Glass, Of Virginia; Wat
son, OF Georgia, and France, of Mary
land 1t was the general verdict that
Senator Underwood had maintained his
ground with ahility.
right Postponed to Monday
senator Lodge had expected to force
1ne hoolnson amendment to vote this
si'erhoon or tonight, but he desisted
sioii his plan because of the necessity
AZ, ~ tue senate to consider and act on
h;', second deficiency appropriation
S;l,' S;a containing large appropriations for
TpieSaoieo veterans. The result was the
M~opinsoh amendment went over until
.s0"day' when the debate will be re-
samed, Senator Lodge will seek vote
~ oafiy IN the week. He gave notice that
vi MONDAY he would keep the treaty
CONTINUOUSLY :.a, before the Senate.
I't.Ie cnange in the prospective vot-
sas SITUATION appeared outwardly in the
oi.,sl osnale to-day. Senator Harreld, of
vnlahoma, .ous IS III and compelled to ab-
.s; ssa' himself from Washington, and
a'is viii cost the treaty a vote unless
q s, par is arranged. Opponents of the
ing ~ pie'e'' A'' poii
W. Reports that Senator Poindexter, of
.s ."sssssnington, ~ is wavering in his support
b;s me treaty because of criticism in
Ias, nome state were current, but the
,iauefs .;au expect him to vote for ratifca-
Pomerene Supports Treaty
senator Pomerene, of Ohio, Demo
..ss t;s and member of the Foreign Rela-
sohs Committee, in letter to former
ssscretary Daniels indorsed the four
ssEer .ss treaty and said that to fail to
ipauiy it would be mistake. Senator
- .s9herene wrote Mr.. Daniels by way
v eommen, on a speech by MIR. Dan