Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-03-14
WOULD BE NATIONAL cALAM

WOULD BE NATIONAL cALAM-
ITY
Up to this time the opponents of
the Pacific pact have not advanced
any sound reason why it should not
he ratified just as 1t came from the
Conference. If by any chance it is
not ratified 1t will be difficult to con-
vince people that the refusal was be-
cause of any conscientious scruples.
One should not forget that represen-
tatives Of both the leading political
parties In this country were parties
10 the making of this treaty, that
there was no attempt from first to
last to befuddle the public mind or to
arrogate TO any one political party
the glory of the achievement. Neither
was there about the making Of it the
atmosphere of secrecy and intrigue
OF which valid complaint was made
concerning the making of the Yer
sailles Treaty.
Those acquainted with Secretary
Hughes habits of life will believe
him when he says: There is not the
slightest mystery about the treaty or
basis for suspicion regarding it,"
Their own good sense will endorse
his words that the question of auth
orship is unimportant. although he
states that he himself drafted it. OF
with representatives of the countries
to be parties to 1t, and of course all
that was said was not made a matter
of record but all the conditions bear
out the secretary's declaration that
full disclosure of everything said or
done in the course of the negotiations
would reveal nothing derogatory to
the part taken by any of the Amer
lean delegates or involve any con-
sideration or acceptance of any po-
sition not entirely consistent with the
traditional policies of this govern
ment."
Throughout the letter Of Secretary
Hughes carries conviction sustained
by tho unqualified endorsement of
the Democratic leader, Mr.. Under
wood, who, it will be remembered,
favored the League of Nations. What
Mr. Hughes had to say respecting the
Anglo japanese alliance should be
noted, that this is subject which.
''as an agreement between two pow
ers competent to make and continue
1t. was not, and in the nature of
things could not be, appropriately
placed on the Conference agenda."
while / cannot OF course I'M
dertake to state what was proposed
or suggested in confidence by any of
the delegates, think it entirely prop
or to say that the negotiations relat-
ing to the four-power treaty were
conducted within limitations defined
by the American government. The
views of this government as to be i'm
, portance of the termination of the
communicated long before the Con-
ference met and it had also been
clearly stated that this government
could enter into no alliance or make
any commitment to the use Of arms
or which would impose any sort of
obligation as to it's decisions in fu4
ture contingencies. 1t must deal
with any exgency according to it's
constitutional methods. In prepara-
ton for the conference the American
delegates reviewed the matter thor
ouehly and the entire course of the
negotiations in connection with the
four power treaty were in accord
with these principles, and, as 1 have
sad. within the limits which we
defined.
THE treaty itself is very short and
simple. and is perfectly clear. 1t re-
quires no commentary. Its engage
ments are easily understood, and no
ingenuity in argument O.. hostile crit
icism can add to them or make them
other or greater than it's uneuuivocai
language sets forth. There are no
secret notes or understandings" 80
Then he relates the incidents con.
nected with making the draft, how
that was submitted TO the other
American delegates and how then
while it was not strictly a confer
: ence matter, in order to insure pub
deity at the earliest possible moment,
the treaty as thus agreed upon and
before it had been signed. was pre-
scented by Senator Lodge to the con-
ference in plenary session and it's i'm
pcrtant limitations stated. His state
,ment met with the acquiescence of
all.
The treaty as, thus drawn and no.
q. titled was deemed to embrace the
main islands Of Japan. Later, in
view Of the sentiment both in this
country and Japan. it was deemed to
be preferable to exclude these main
islands, and a supplementary treaty
was prepared to this effect which
designated the islands of Japan
. which II was to include.
q There IL not the slightest mystery
about the treaty or basis for suspi-
cion regarding it. It is a straight