New-York tribune., 1922-03-31
Chinese Pacts Approved
on 28th Day of Debate;
Opposition Collapses as
Final Vote Is Taken
Leaders .Jubilant.
Adjourn to Monday
Underwood Makes Princi-
pal Speech, Declaring
Obligation Only Moral

From The 1ribure'8 Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, March 30.-The great
work of the Washington Conference on
the Limitation of Armament was prac-
tlcally completed so far as the United
States is concerned this afternoon
when the Senate ratified the general
Chinese treaty and the Chinese Gus
toms treaty. This action completed
ratification of all the conference
agreements submitted to it by the
President
Opposition to the treaties showed
complete collapse and there was less
disposition to debate them than had
been expected
The general Chinese treaty. signed
by nine powers, which assures the in
tegrity of China, was ratified by 65 to
0. Senators Borah France, johnson
and La Toilette were among those vot-
ing, The Chinese customs treaty was
ratified 58 to l. Senator King, of
Utah, Democrat, alone stood out against
it. He took the ground that the regu-
lation of Chinese tariff rates by the
powers was inconsistent with the pro-
posed purpose to respect the integrity
Of China and to have full regard for
her sovereignty.
Debates Last IS Days
Almost a month has been devoted to
the ratification of the treaties. The
discussion opened March 2. In that
time the seven treaties enumerated BY
the President when he submitted them
to the Senate have been ratified and
the zap treaty with Japan also has
been approved The seven treaties
which the President submitted as list-
ed by him in his address to the Sen.
ate early in February, include the naval
limitation agreement, the submarine
aA1 poison gas treaty, the four-power
| Treaty, the supplementary treaty ex-
Guiding the mainland of Japan from
the four-power treaty, the declaration
of Interpretation of the four-powel
treaty, the treaty relating to genera
policies toward China and the Chinese
customs treaty TIE declaration OF
Interpretation was ratified in the Sen
ate IN the form of reservation tc
the supplemental treaty.
Senators Lodge and Underwood
American delegates to the conference
who have borne the brunt of the 6ght
in the Senate, were greatly pleased owe,
the hnal outcome and the fact it was
possible to reach a conclusion to- -day
Senator Underwood rather than
Senator Lodge, took charge of the
argument for the Chinese treaties to.
day.
Based on Moral Obligation
There is,' said Senator Underwood
mo obligation of force in the pending
treaty. But there is a moral oblga
tlon that viii make the nation that
violates 1t an outlaw in the world
More than that, nation which would
violate this contract to respect the
rights of China would be in a yer,
serious position, with eight other ma
/ tlons all signatory to this treaty, II
reference to it's position in worlc
affairs.
81 do not say that an obligation OF
this kind may not lead to false alarm
Anything may lead to false alarm Blu,
there is no obligation whatever for il
so to lead
What course would the other con.
tracing nations probably pursue il
one of the contracting parties shoule
violate its obligation?' asked Senator
Sheppard
81 think replied Senator Under
wood, they would pursue the same
course that this government pursued
/ as to Shantung, except there would be
nine powers involved instead Of one
/ They would make their protests Sc
earnest and so forceful that | thinl
! the nation which had violated the obi
cation would reconsider its action ant
/ discontinue that violation"
"Then, is it your contcntion," in
quired Senator Sheppard, that this op
portunity for China to develop an'
maintain an effective and stable gov
ornment,' which this treaty obligate
the contracting powers to provide
means merely the exercise of moral in
fuence in that direction?'
''It goes that far, certainly; ! do no
say it goes any further" answered Sen
ator Underwood.
Suppose it should develop tina
China unaided could not maintain in
ternal order or sustain such govern
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