PACIFIC TREATY.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 March 1922, Page 5

PACIFIC TREATY.

WILL AMERICA FAIL? DEBATE IN THE SENATE. PLEA FOR ACCEPTANCE.. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received March 9, 9.20 p.m. Washington, March 8. Senator H. C. Lodge, in a speech in the Senate, urged the ratification of the Pacific pact. He said acceptance only means the ending of the AngloJapanese Alliance and making possible the naval holiday, while the defeat of the ,treaty would mean the failure of the Arms Conference. He inferred that the United States could not ratify the naval limitations treaty if the Pacific pact was not approved, because the Anglo-Japanese Alliance would confront a reduced American navy. He said the Pacific treaty substitutes an assurance of peace for arrangements and calculations of war, and simultaneously it keeps the United States clear of all alliances of any sore, which are, in their very nature, war breeders. The Pacific treaty ended the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, which was the most dangerous element in America’s relations with the Far East and caused growing suspicion, not only in the United States, but in Canada.

He added: “Senators should remember that the defeat of the Pacific treaty endangers the naval limitations treaty, the failure of which would shock the world. It would be a bitter disappointment to the people if we continue to preach suspicion and hatred of other nations, and if we decline to deal with them nothing can ever be done. The United States never has permitted failure or defeat to be written in her history, and she will not permit it now.” Senator Lodge was heckled by several Democrats. Senator Reed cross-ques-tioning him regarding divergence of views between President Harding and the negotiations on the treaty’s construction in reference to the inclusion of the Japanese mainland in the protective provisions. Senator Lodge admitted that the treaty at first did appear to include the Japanese mainland, though Japan did not want it. President Harding informed the Senate that the Lansing-Ishi agreement is completely superceded by the Nine Power Chinese Treaty. The President explained that the Lansing-Ishi agreement was merely an executive declaration, which is supplemented by the formal treaty. It is variously rumored that ex-Presi-dent Wilson, wishing the Pacific treaty rejected, is co-operating with Senator Borah instead of the Democratic Senators. Lobby gossip says that Mr. Tumulty, Mr.* Wilson’s former secretary, is acting as the go-between, keeping Senator Borah informed of Mr. Wilson’s attitude, and furnishing the Senator with material for opposing the treaty. The Democrats insist that they have no word from Mr. Wilson regarding the stand to be taken on the treaty.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.