Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-03-12

treaty. which has been the subject OF
questions In the Senate from its OPP
ponents. Mr.. Hughes said that. while
tho question OF authorship is unirn-
portunt, after assent had been given
by Great britain and Japan. that
France should be party. he himself
prepared draft Of the treaty" bascu
upon the various suggestions which
had been exchanged between the dele
gates.
Entirely Without Mystery.
There Is not the slightest mystery
about the treaty or basis OF suspi-
cion regarding It," the secretary AS
serted. TT Is straightforward doc
ument. which attains one OF the most
important objects the American gov
eminent haH had In view. and Of the
highest Importance To the mainten
ancc of friendly relations in the Far
East upon Il sound basis"
Failure of the Senate to ratify the
treaty. Mr.. Hughes declared. would
be nothing short of national ca
lamity."
The text OF Secretary Hughes let
ter follows:
My Dear Senator: I understand
Senate upon the four-powcr treaty
questions have been raised with re-
spect TO its authorship. 1t seems To
lie implied that in some way the
American delegates have been i'm
posed upon or that they were in
duccd to accept some plan cunning.
- contrived by others opposed to
American interests. Apart from the re-
Election upon the competency of the
American delegates. such intima lions
hctray very poor and erroneous
conception of the work in connection
with the conference no part Of which
whether within or outside tn. con-
ference mcetings-waS begun. prose
Cutcd or concluded in intrigue. Moth
ing could BE- farther from the fact.
y" Inconsistencies In Trnnsnction.
1t is. Of course. wholly iuconsis-
tent with the amenities OF intcruu-
ti"nal intercourse. that the informal
md confidential suggestions and CON
vcrsat!ons incident to negotiations
should be stated. but the Senate may
IL" assured that Il full disclosure OF
everything said or done in the course
OF the negotiations would reveal
nothing dcrogatory To the part taken
by amy OF the American delegates or
involve any consideration or accept
ancc of any position not "ntircl.
consistent with the traditional poll
clos or this government
1T should he remembered tina, IN.
i"ur-power treaty deals with a sub
irct-the Anglo Japancsc alliance
which. as AN agreement between Two
~
tinuc II. Was not. and In the natur.
oi 'hlhRS could not be, appropriately
placed upon the conference ageud;,
Technically. il was matter OUTSIDE.
tho conference, although the confer
chcc furnished an excellent oppor,uu-
itN for conversations rccurdInr :,
'ondurtcd with Proper Limitations.
While cannot. OF course. under
take 10 state what was proposed or
suggested in confidence hv any OF
the delegates. l think II entirely
proper 10 say that the negotiations
relating To the four power treaty
wcr" conducted within limitations de
| fined by the American government.
The views OF this government as Ia
the Importance OF the termination Of
the An.lu-Japancsc alliance had been
communicated long before the con
i-rcnc" met and il 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 o.
obligation as To it's decision in flu
ture contingencies. |; must deal
with any cXigcnCy according to it's
constitutional methods. In prcparn
| ton for tho conference. the govern.
ment delegates reviewed IN" matter
thoroughly and the entire course Of
the negotiations in connection with
IN" horsepower treaty were in ac-
cord with these principles and as
I hay" said. within the limits which
We defined
short. simple md Clear