THE PACIFIC

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 18, 20 July 1918, Page 7

THE PACIFIC

PROTECTION AGAINST GERMAN

AGGRESSION

SENATORS SUPPORT THE SAULS-

BURY RESOLUTION.

(Received July 20, 8.40 a.m.)

WASHINGTON, 15th July.

When the Senate resumes on the 24th Senator Willard Saulsbury will ask that action be taken on his resolution urging the United States, Britain, and Japan to come to an agreement to prevent German aggression in the Pacific. There is a disposition among members of the Foreign Relations Committee to suport the resolution. Several Senators from the Pacific Coast are keenly interested, and conferred with Senator Saulsbury. Subsequently Senator J. D. Phelan (California) said it was of the greatest importance that some arrangement or alliance should be formed, by the great Powers on the Pacific, as a protection aginst German aggression. In case ofnecessity they should use their powers to police the Pacific. There should be a frank understanding as to the respective interests of the Allies, and the combined forces should be bound to respect the status quo. Action was necessary in the interests not only of Australia, but of the West Coast and Island possessions of America. Germany would realise that a. good understanding, between the Powers ou. the Pacific; would probably lead to an afteiywar trade agreement against Germany. 'Ibis might impel Germany to abandon, her rfiilitaristic -war aims and seek an earlier end to the war.

Senator Wesley Jones\ (State of Washington) agreed as to the importance of the questions. Congress should consider not only keeping German raiders from the Pacific, bet whether any of Germany's former possessions in the South Pacific should bo returned after the war.

[Senator Saulbury's resolution' stipulates that Germany shall be permanently barred from naval bases in the Pacific. The resolution also provides: "It is opportune for the Governments of the United States, Britain, and Japan to enter" into a lasting agreement to render it inexpedient for anyone, and impossible for the Central Powers to pur-sue methods of warfare in the Pacific Ocean which are not justified by the laws of warfare." It further provides that China and Russia, a.nd any other Government On the Pacific littoral, shall be admitted as signatories to the agreement; also that no'warships of any Power which has pursued, or shall pursue, illegal methods of warfare on the high seas shall be permitted to hold ports 1 or possessions m the Pacific whence such warfare may be waged. The resolution stipulates that the agreement shall bo enforced by the united power of tho signatories. Tlit resolution is interpreted as the first fruits of Mr. Hughes's declaration favouring Australia's Monroe Doctrine in the Pacific]