Great Falls tribune., 1922-03-14

= Senators Johnson, California, and
Borah, Idaho both republicans, took
the lead in the all day attack. the
former declaring ratification of the
teraty would be a national Surrender"
under threat of danger from the
Anglo japanese alliance, and the latter
asserting that the proposed four power
arrangement would transfer to the Pa
cific the old balance of power system
that has dominated Europe for CEN
| turies.
A question as to the authorship of
the treaty and its supplemental agree
ments again was raised during the de-
bate, Mr.. Borah asserting that despite
Secretary Hughes letter accepting
esponsibilities for the final draft.
there seemed to be ''the most con-
elusive proof that somebody else wrote
the treaty
Robinson Amendment
The amendment on which it was
agreed to vote at 4 p. m. Tuesday was
proposed by Senator Robinson. demo-
crat, Arkansas. and will be the first
issue Of the four power treaty fight
to come to roll call As modified by
Mr.. Robinson, it provides that the
rights of nations both in and out of
sAAS AVNA po"Sa SAoup dlS W uc It-
spected, and that non-signatory as well
as signatory nations shall be invited to
any conference held to consider con-
troversies affecting their insular in
terests in the Pacific cor any far
eastern questions"
Administration leaders declared they
had sufficient votes to defeat the
amendment. Senator Robinson made
short speech favoring its adoption in
the interests, he said. of fair play for
Russia, China. and other non sgnatory
nations. and Senator Lenroot repub-
lican. Wisconsin, argued against it on
the ground that it would impose blanket
Obligations going even beyond the
League of Nations covenant
Doubts Truth of Claim
Senator Johnson's address of more
than two hours. was directed largely
against the declaration of the treaty's
supporters that its chief benefit Law in
the provision abrogating the Anglo |
japanese alliance. If solemn assurance
OF Great Britain and Japan regarding
the purposes of the alliance were to /
be credited, he said, then it contained
no menace to the United States, while |
II these assurances We're to be regard |
ed as false, this government should NOT !,
had practiced the deception.
The four-power Arrangement said |
Senator johnson. would amount to an /
alliance" and would impose obligations
not dissimilar from those of the Ieagne !
covenant. The chief difference be- /
tween the new treaty and the eapue
he declared, seemed to be that it bore
q republican instead of democratic
label.
Senator Borah. in turn, likened the
treaty to the triple entente of Eurone.
which he said. did not bind Great Bri-
tain and Russia to go to the aid of
France in 1914. but nevertheless re-
suited in concerted action by all the
entente powers.
Doesn't Limit means"
The four power treaty might not i'm
pose any legal obligation Of congress to
declare war, he asserted. but it pro
vlded for conference which might
easily result in a moral obligation
which congress could not escape
The treaty. Senator Borah pointed
out. did not limit the means to be
considered Jointly by the four powers
70 Pacific means but left the door
open for the conference to decide on
concerted armed action. He predicted
that formation of the four-power group
would lead to the establishment of a
counter group and eventually to a
var between the two rival combinations
hus placed in the field
Just before the senate accepted the
unanimous consent agreement. which
vas proposed by Senator Swanson.
lemocrat. Virginia. Senator Reed. dem
,crat. Missouri. assailed republicans
Who formerly had opposed the Yer
;ailles treaty but now supported the
our-power treaty, declaring they were
'eady to take the medicine handed us
n spoon held by republican Dresi-
lent although they had refused it
vhcn it came from democrat.
Little Effort to Reply ,
In the main. the treaty supporters
made little effort to reply to the at
acks. Senator Lenroot took excep-
ion to the moral obligation argu-
nent of Senator Borah. however. de-
laring that no binding commitment
rould exist and Senator Lodge. Mas
the republican leader, and +
member Of the arms delegation. en- q
aged in sharp exchange with Sen {
tors Johnson and Borah. over author +
hip of the treaty and the circum- .
tances which led to the supplemental 9
greement regarding inundated islands. /
C.