The New York herald., 1922-03-12
-FOUR POWER TREATY
VITAL, SAYS HUGHES
It's Defeat Would Be Calamity.
He Declares, in Denying
Any Intrigue.
UNDERWOOD DEFENDS 1T
Democratic Senator Asserts
Document Insures Peace
in Pacific Region.
Special Dispatch to THE New York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.

New York Herald Bureau,
Washington. ID. c.. March IL.
Secretary Hughes entered the de-
bate on ratification of the four Power
treaty to-day. He took cognizance OF
the efforts that have been made by
the poison gas squad" in the Senate
to discredit the authorship OF the
treaty and to make it appear there
had been sinister secrecy about It's
preparation and that it was something
that the American delegation accepted
with marvellous gullibility.
Secretary Hughes unmasked this at
tack. showed there lad been no Sc
crecy about it's preparation and au-
thorship. He worked in harmony with
Senator Oscar Underwood (Ala),
Democratic floor leader, and one of the
American delegates at the conference.
Secretary Hughes's Letter.
Senator Underwood was the chief
speaker of the day in the Senate, urg-
ing ratification. In the course of his
remarks he read the following letter
which Secretary Hughes had written
in answer to .nuendoes that had been
made about the treaty:
/ understand that in the course
of debate in the Senate upon the
four Power treaty questions have
been raised with respect to its au-
thorship. 1t seems to be implied
that in some way the American dele
gates have been imposed upon. or
that they were induced to accept
some plan cunningly contrived by
others and opposed to our interests.
Apart from the reflections upon the
competency of the American dele
gates. such intimation betroys very
poor and erroneous conception of
the work In connection with the con-
ference no part of which--wnether
within or outside the conference
meetings-was begun. prosecuted or
concluded in intrigue. Nothing could
be farther from the fact.
1t Is. of course, wholly inconsist-
ent with the amenities of interna-
tional intercourse, that the infor-
NAL and confidential suggestions and
conversations incident to negotia-
tions should be stated, but the Sem
ate may be assured that a full dis
closure of everything said or done
in the course of the negotiations
would reveal nothing deregatory to
the part taken by any of the Ameri-
can delegates or Involve any consid-
Grafton or acceptance of any posi-
tion not entirely consistent with the
traditional policies of this Govern
ment.
1t should be remembered that
the four Power treaty dealt with
subject-the Anglo-Japanese alli-
ance-which. as an agreement be-
tween two Powers competent to
make and continue it, was not. and
in the nature of things could not be,
appropriately placed upon the con-
ference agenda. Technically. it was
a matter outside the conference, al
though the conference furnished an
excellent opportunity for conversa-
tions regarding 1t.
While I cannot, OF course, under
take to state what was proposed or
suggested in confidence by any OF
the delegates. I think II entirely
proper TO say that the negotiations
relating to the four Power treaty
were conducted within limitations
defined by the American Govern
ment. The views of this Govern
ment as to the Importance of the
termination Of the Anglo-Japanese
alliance had been communicated
long before the conference met and
II had also been clearly stated that
this Government could enter into
no alliance or make any commit
ment to the use of arms or which
would impose any sort of obligation
as 70 its decisions in future con-
tingencies.
1t must deal with any exigency
according TO its constitutional
methods. In preparing for the con-
ference, the American delegates re-
viewed the matter thoroughly and
tho entire course of the negotiations
in connection with the four Power
treaty was in accord with these
principles. and, as have said.
The treaty itself Is very short
and simple. and is perfectly clear.
1t requires no commentary. Its en-
gagements are easily understood
and no ingenuity in argument or
hostile criticism can add TO them or
make them other or greater than It's
unequivocal language sets forth.
There are no secret notes or under
standings.
In view of this, the question OF
authorship Is unimportant. II was
signed by four Powers, whose dele
gates respectively adopted II, all
having made various suggestions.
I may say, however, with respect
to the general course Of negotia-
tions ttat after assent had been
given by Great Britain and Japan
that France should be a party to
the agreement, / prepared a draft