The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-02-11

session and insular dominions' as re- lating to Japan.
 "A treaty between the nine powers relating to Chinese customs tariff.
 Urges Prompt Approval
 'I invite your prompt approval Of all of them It is quite impossible to readjust our naval program until the naval treaty has your sanction, even though you urged it's negotiation. 1t Is not possible to make the readjust- ment in full confidence, until the whole program has commended itself to your approval
 'I am not unmindful nor was the conference, of the sentiment in this chamber against Old World entangle- ments. Those who made the treaties have left no doubt about their true import Every expression in the conference has emphasized the pur- pose to be served and the obi legations assumed. Therefore, I can bring you every assurance that nothing in any of these treaties commits the United States, or any other power, to any kind of an alliance, entanglement, or involvement. It does not require us or any other power to surrender g worth while tradition. It has been said, if this be true, these are mere meaningless treaties, and therefore valueless. Let us accept no such doctrine of despair as that. If na- tions may not establish by mu- tual understanding the rules and principles which are to govern their relationship; If a sovereign and sol emn plight of faith by leading na- tions of the earth is valueless If nations may not trust one another. then, indeed, there Is little on which to hang our faith In advancing civ ilzation or the furtherance of peace. Either we must live and aspire and achieve under a free and common understanding among peoples, with mutual trust, respect and forbearance and exercising full sovereignty or else brutal, armed force will dom mate and the sorrows and burdens of war in this decade will be turned to the chaos and hopelessness of the next We can no more do without international negotiations and agree ments these modern days than we could maintain orderly neighborliness at home without the prescribed rules of conduct which are more the guar antees of freedom than the restraint thereof.
 Response to World CIannOr
 'The world has been hungering for a better relationship for centuries since 1t has attained It's larger con- sciousness. The conception of the league of nations was a response to a manifest of world hunger.
 "whatever it's fate. whether 1t achieves the great things hoped for. or comes to supersedure. or to fall ure the American unwillingness to be part of 1t has been expressed. That unwillingness has been kept in mind and the treaties submitted to- day have no semblance or relation ship save as the wish to promote e peace has been the common inspira- ton.
 "The four power treaty contains no war commitment. It covenants the respect of each nations rights in re- lation to it's insular possessions In case of controversy between the GOV enanting powers it Is agreed to con fer and seek adjustment, and if such rights are threatened by the aggres- siVe action of any outside power. these. friendly powers, respecting one another are to seommunIcate. perhaps confer. in order to understand what action may be taken, jointly or sep arately to meet a menacing situa- ton. There is no commitment t-- to armed force, no alliance, no written or moral obligation to join forces, no expressed or implied commitment to arrive at any agreement except in accordance with our constitutional methods. It Is easy to believe, how ever, that such a conference of the four powers is A moral warning that an aggressive nation, giving affront to the four great powers ready to focus world opinion on a given con ltroversy would be embarking on a hazardous enterprise.
 Challenge to Senate
 Frankly, senators, if nations ma not safely assree to respect each others rights. and may not agree to confer if one party to the pact threat ems trespass, or may not agree to advise if one party to the pact Is