Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-03-10

ASSAULT
ON PACT
Senators in All Day
A t t c k on Four
Power Proposal
Unsuccessful Attempt to Learn
Name Author of Original
Draft-RobinsOn and Reed in
BrOadsides Against Treaty
B0rah, Watson. Johnson
Chip In on the Side

Washington, March s.-Charging
that the four power Pacific treaty re-
suited from a japanese British plan
to offset the embarrassing effect Of
the Anglo-Japanese alliance, oppon-
ents of the pact sought without sue
cess In the Senate today to learn ex-
actly by whom the original draft OF
the document was prepared.
Both of the Senate's representa-
tNes on the arm conference deleca-
ton, Senator Lodge Of Massachu-
setts and Underwood of Alabama, de-
clared in reply to direct questions
that the delegation head. Secretary
Hughes. had conducted most of the
negotiations leading up to the treaty.
Mr.. Lodge said many hands" had
helped in the drafting and draft
ing, and that he did not know who
made the first suggestion. Mr.. I'm
derwood asserted that the first draft
he saw was the final one. laid before
him by Secretary Hughes.
The statements of the two Senate
leaders were madee in reply to Ser
les of questions by Senator Robin
son, Democrat, Arkansas, who told
the Senate when the cross question
ing was over that. although 1--WE
don't know and will never find out
from any authentic source who
wrote the first draft he was in
clined to believe the finished pro-
duct resulted from the joint labors
of Arthur j. Balfour for Great
Britain and Prince Tokucawa for
Japan. He assaulted the treaty as an
alliance" and predicted it would do
more harm than good.
Senator Robinson's inquiry into the
origin of the four power idea was
a part of a field day of debate which
kept the Senate floor in turmoil all
afternoon. Appearing in full force,
the treaty's opponents kept the flOol
throughout the session except for the
explanatory statements of Senators
Lodge and Underwood. In the midst
OF the attack the Senate recessed I'M
til tomorrow when the "irrecon-
clbles." again are expected to TAXA
the offensive.
Broadsdes against the pact were
delivered by both Senator Robinson
and Senator Reed. Democrats. Mis-
souri,, while Senator Borah, Repuh-
lican. Idaho: Johnson. Republican.
California: Shields. Democrat, Ten
nessee: Watson, Democrat, Georgia,
and others Joined in with suggestions
which struck at several of the CON
ference treaties.
The next extended response from
the treaty supporters is expected
Saturday when Senator Underwood
plans to take the floor with pre-
pared address explaining the purpose
and results of the pact
Arguing that the treaty really
pledges more than claimed for it by
its opponents. Senator Robinson
called attention to the provision
against discussion of domestic
questions" under the treaty clauses
and asked why it was necessary to
make this exemption, IT, nothing but
conversation" was prQvidcd for be-
tween the four sgnatorics lie de-
clared that the other three powers
regarded the treaty as an alliance
and predicted that the United States
would have to do likewise in anv
future war where Great Britain. ia
pan and France joined forces
against an outside nation.
The "no alliance" reservation pre-
sented by the foreign relations COM
mi'toe, Senator Robinson asserted
would not he sufficient to protect the
interests of this country. He asked
for amendment Of the treaty text it.
self in two particulars.