Evening star., 1922-02-19
NO REST FOR WEARY
SECRETARY OF STATE
Mr.. Hughes Cannot Escape Worries Of
Office Even for Brief Period
of Sea Voyage

treaty q moral obligation to partici-
pate would be evident. In brief.
whatever moral obligation there
might be would not rest upon the
treaty. but upon the particular sit
uation wholly independent Of the
treaty. 1t is of the highest impor-
tance that now before ratification this
question should be placed beyond
doubt or future controversy.
This treaty is not to be construed
as implying an undertaking even of
a moral kind to engage in war with
any power for any cause. If any sig
natory of this treaty regards the
powers as morally pledged to war,
this should be asserted by it now or
this Interpretation should be here
after debarred.
This treaty is a compact to pro-
vide for procedure by-mutual under
standing. 1t is not a pledge Of any
definite action. but an agreement to
seek a peaceful solution in any sit
uation that may arise. There is no
obligation to apply any measures un-
less they are agreed to at the time
when they are to be applied. Joint
action is in no place obligatory. Sep
arate action is distinctly provided for
which signifies that each power may
take the course 1t decides to take in
each particular situation, and the
steps each can take may vary ac-
cording to the constitutional limi
tations of the different powers In
the case Of the United States it is
well understood war cannot be un-
dertaken except by an act Of Con-
gress; and it would therefore be a
false Interpretation Of this treaty to
pretend that it can be intended to
pledge military aid In any circum-
stances whatever"
President Harding. it does seem to
the observers on the side lines. sure
ly. has his hands full Of problems
these days. And now he is to take
on another one this week. the rehab-
ilitatfon and sustaining of the Amer
lean merchant marine. Once again,
after many years absence, the old
familiar figure of ship subsidy Is to
stalk through the halls Of Congress
"a bugaboo to some statesmen, a
carrier Of hope and promise to others,
The reports have it that the Presi-
dent will recommend a kind of aid to
the now languishing. merchant ma
rine which will be susceptible Of such
by it's supporters
and opponents. r' = a..
But speaking of troubles on the
presidential mind. let's take the ono
that must be uppermost at present.
the soldiers bonus. The President.
In the estimate Of neutral commenta-
tors. has scored of of Congress in
passing back to that body the re-
sponsibility. which was sought to be
placed on him. He has indicated his
clear intention to refuse executive
approval to a bond issue or to the
eight special forms of taxation pro-
posed to be laid upon specified in
dustries. He has suggested that Con-
gress can do one of two things
equalize the tax upon everybody by
adopting the sales tax plan. or post
pone legislation to some more aus
picious occasion.
President Harding is viewing the
perplexities- Of the bonus question
from an elevation somewhat above
that occupied by those who see only
one side Of the question. His visual
ization seems to take in more peo-
pie in its range, with their interests
and embarrassments to be considered.
+ + X y
Here is a question the politicians
are asking: IF q bonus bill is passed
by the House, and the House and
Senate get into dispute over the
method of taxation to raise the fund,
and election day comes without legis-
lation being enacted, who will be to
blame?"
1t is evident that the House in
tends to pass a bill. Chairman Ford
ney has promised to have ono. ready
for a republican caucus within ten
days. It will be. approved by the
caucus before it is reported to the
House, thus making it a party meas
ure. Upon coming to a vote in the
House on it's passage. it is hardly
expected that strict party division
would follow, unless, the democrats
should in caucus determine to oppose
the bill on tho score Of its proposing
a faulty system Of taxation.
\ r X
The bonus situation is still full of
political dynamite. it is said by poll
ticians in both parties in the House.
1t Is held by some of them that the
heaviest charge Of T. N. T.. however.
rests in the apparently increasing
volume Of sentiment in the country at
large opposed to any action upon the
bonus at this session. ~.
IS HAVE NOT