The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-02-24
Modified Reservation to Four
Power Treaty Is Ready.
New Wording Alleged Approved
by President and Senators.
NO FOREIGN ENTANGLEMENTS
L. S. Government Would Be
without Obligation to Others.
Fight by BOrah and Johnson
Is FOrecasted.

Washington, Feb. PA modified
blanket reservation to the four-poWers
Pacific treaty, said to be satisfactory
both 20 President Harding and to a
majority of the members of the senate
foreign relations committee was de-
bated by the committee today and an
agreement reached to vote on the
treaty itself and all proposed reserVa-
tions at tomorrow's session
The new reservation was laid before
the committee by Senator Brandegee,
Republican, Connecticut, after con-
ference with President Harding. The
Connecticut senator was said not to
have represented it as embodyihg the
presidents views but the understand
ing of committee members was that
il would be acceptable to the White
House.
The text of the reservation follows:
The United States understands that
under the statement in the preamble
; or under the terms of this treaty, there
is no commitment to armed force
No alliance. No obligation to join
in any defense"
AItho apparently acceptable to most
of the Republican and Democratic
reservations on the committee the
reservation. according to today's dis
cussion. will not receive unanimous
committee approval.
johnson and Borah May Fight.
Senator Johnson, Republican, Cali
fornia, was said to have shown oppo-
sftion during the meeting and it was
generally expected that Senator Borah,
Republican, Idaho, who was absent,
would take a similar position
The compromise reservationTs more
direct and shorter than the original
Brandegee blankets proposal to which
a majority of the committee members
previously I'D indicated their support.
Under the original reservation the
United States would have set forth in
detail that it was to assume no moral
or Legal obligation under the treaty
or any adjustments resulting from it
without "the consent of congress-"
Preamble Differs From Treaty Proper.
Particular reference to the preamble
of the treaty is said to have been made
in the new draft, because the pre-
amble states that the agreement is
made with a view to the prosecution
of the general peace and maintenance
Of the rights of the signatory powers.
The word maintenance does not ap-
pear, however, among the commit
ments of the treaty proper
Committee acceptance of the COM
promise, if formally agreed to tomor-
row, is expected to shorten the reser-
walton fight which was developing in
the senate. altho it appears certain
that various other proposed reserva-
tions will be brought forward both in
committee and on the senate floor
Senator johnson already has one
pending In the committee which would
attempt to define the word rights
as used in the treaty.
Yap Treaty Ready Soon, Is Hope,
Final favorable action on the reser-
vation and the treaty in the commit
tee is not expected to result in an i'm
mediate report to the senate, the lead
ers indics ling that they will hold all
the remaining arms conference trea-
ties in committee until report on all
of them is ready.
It is the hope of the leaders to have
next week by whihch time it is ex-
pected that senate debate will be con-
cluded on the separate treaty with
Japan relating to the islands of Yap.