THE PACIFIC PACT

Evening Star, Issue 17923, 20 March 1922, Page 6

THE PACIFIC PACT

PERVERSE SENATORS. ANTI-JAPANESE FEELING. Press Association—By Telograpb—Copyright. WASHINGTON, March 13. The statement, which they attribute to Sir Auckland Geddes (British Ambassador), that the Pacific Treaty averted imminent war in the Pacific is being used by the Opposition in a renewed attack upon tho treaty. Senator Robinson declared that if 'Sir Auckland Geddes had been correctly reported tho Senate should vote against not only the Pacific Treaty, but also the Naval Limitation Agreement. "If it be true," ho said, "that Japan was preparing _ to attack our Pacific possessions at the time the treaty was made, then, instead of disarming, we should call on America to arm. Under such circumstances, it would be dangerous to scrap our battleships and bind ourselves not to defend Guam and tho Philippines." Heated debates followed Senator Robinson's reference to Sir Auckland Geddes. Senator Robinson demanded that Senator Underwood and Senator Lodge should supply informatioi concerning the Ambassador's alleged statement, and asked if the American delegates knew that war was impending when they made the treaty. Neither Senator Lodge nor Senator Underwood answered Senator Watson declared that Senator Lodge recently said the .-ame thing. "He told us that if we did not take tho treaty war would follow.' Senator Lodge interrupted, stating thet lie referred to the preservation of the peace of tho world. Senator Robinson suggested that if Mr Hughes were called before the Foreign Relations Committee the Senate might know what secret agreements America's allies had made. He was certain that an agreement between France and Japan existed. Senator Johnson, denouncing tho Pacific Treaty, declared that ho Eaw no advantage which the treaty would have over the Anglo-Japanese Alliance. The people were thinking of a limitation, not a combination, of armaments. "No ingenuity can discover any danger to us m the Anglo Japanese Alliance," he said ; " for the preservation of peace it is far superior to the treaty. It is amazing why Britain and Japan should abandon peace for Eastern Asia and India and transfer it to the Pacific Islands."-—A. and N.Z. Cable. INSIDIOUS PROPAGANDA. WASHINGTON, March 13. The so-called American Commission to promote self-government for India has issued a statement claiming that it has received information that Great Britain has asked Japan for military aid in the event of a general rising in India.—A. and N.Z. Cable.