The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1922-03-16
FULL TEXT OF
4-POWER TREATY
LETTED TO UNDERWOOD INDI-
Gates CHEF AMERICAN DELE
GATE WAS AUTHOR OF PACT.

Washington, March 1.-THE text
of Secretary Hughes letter to SEN
ator Underwood relative to the four
power treaty is as follows:
understand that IN the course OF
debate in the sonste upon the four
power treaty questions have been
raised with respect to its authorship.
L seems to be implied that in some
way the American delegates have
been imposed upon Or that they were
induced to accept others End opposed
to our interests.
Apart from the reflection upon the
competency of the American dele
gates, such intimations betray very
poor and erroneous conception OF the
work in connection with the confer
ence, no part of which-whether with
in or outsid, the conference meetings
was begun, prosecuted or concluded
in intrigue. Nothing could be fur
ther from the fact.
It is, of course, wholly inconsistent
with the amenities Of international
intercourse, that the informal and con-
fidental suggestions and conversations
incident to negotiations should be
stated, but the senate may be assur-
ed that a full disclosure Of every
thing said or done in the course OF
the negotiations would reveal moth
ing derogatory to the part taken by
any of the American ialegases or
involve any consideration or accept
ance of any position not entirely
consistent with the traditional poll
cies of this government.
It should be remembered that the
four-power treaty dealt with a SUBJ
ject-the Anglo-Japanesc ahance-
which, rs an agreement between two
powers competent to make and con-
tinue it, was not, and in the nature
of things could not be, appropriately
placed upon the conference agenda.
Technically, it was a matter outside
the conference, although the confer
cnce furnished an excellent opportu-
nifty for conversations regarding 1t.
While ! cannct, of course, under
take to state what was proposed OF
surrested in confidence by sny OF
the delegates, I think it entirely prop
or to say that the negotiations re-
lating to the four-power treaty were
conducted within limitations defined
by the American government.
The view of this government as
to the Importance of the termination
of the Anglo-Japanese alliance had
been communicated long before the
conference 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
o. which would impose any sort OF
obligation as to its decision in future
contingencies.
1t must deal with any exigency &C
cording to its constitutional methods.
In preparation for the conference, the
American delegates reviewed. the mat
ter thoroughly and the entire course
of the negotiations in connection with
the four-power treaty were in accord
with these principles, and, IS | have
caid, within the limits which we de-
fined.
The treaty itself is very short and
simple, and is perfectly clear. 1t re-
auires no commentary. It's engage
ments are Easily understood and no
ingenuity in argument or hostile crit
icism can add to them or make them
other or greater than its unequivocal
language sets forth. There are no
secret notes or understandings.
In view cf this, the question OF
authorship is unimportant. 1t was
signed by four powers, whose dele
gates respectively adopted it, ell hav'
ing made various suggestions.
may say, however, with respect
to the general course of negotiations
that after assent had been given by
Great Britain and Japan that France
should be a party to the agreement
I prepared a craft of the treaty bas-
ed upon the various suggestions which
had been exchanged between the dele
gates.
This draft was first submitted to
Senator Lodge and Mr.. Root, as you
were then absent on account OF the
death of your mother. After the ap-
proval of the American delegates who
were here, the draft was submitted
to the representatives of other powers
and became the subject Of discussion
between the heads of the delegations