FIGHTING FOR THE PACT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18430, 14 March 1922, Page 5

FIGHTING FOR THE PACT.

THE BATTLE IN THE AMERICAN SENATE. SENATOR LODGE DETERMINED. Received March 13, 5.5 p.m. WASHINGTON, March 12. Senator Lodge has notified the Senate that he will call up the Pacific Treaty on Saturday and keep the Senate in continuous session until a vote has been obtained. Senator Robinson moved an amendment binding the Four Powers to refrain from aggression and providing that when a controversy arises which is not settled diplomatically all the nations concerned shall be invited to a conference. The administrative leaders decided that it was necessary to press the Treaty with the utmost persistence to obtain a vote in the face of the filibustering tactics of the opposition. Answering attacks on the authorship on the Pacific Treaty, Senator Lodge told the Senate that the Treaty was very much In the mind of the American delegation some time before negotiations began. It would be disclosed that at the time Mr. Hughes was denying such a compact was contemplated it was actually under discussion among the delegates to Washington.

U.S. ARGUING ABOUT IT.

Received, March 13. 12.30 a,tn. WASHINTGON, March 11. Senator Underwood, one of the American delegates at the Washingion Conference, In a speech in the Senate said the Democrats would support the Pacific Treaty. He declared its detect would be a backward step in the nation’s life and ratification would eliminate any real cause of war. Criticism of the Treaty based on the inclusion only of the Four Powers lacks force because those Powers we™ the only ones capable of disturbing the peace ot the Orient within a decade. He declared the Pacific Treaty was a better guarantee for the Philippines than fortifications or navies. “I have yet to find the man,” he said, "informed on naval matters who does not admit it we became involved in war with a first class naval power, in the beginning it would be impose sible for us to protect the Philippines from a successful attack.” Senator Underwood read Mr Hughes’ letter which created a stir amongst the full Senate and crowded galleries and added: “There is a feeling in the world that the United States cannot maike a compact and be bound by IL I will not stand in the way ot reservations which will not destroy the Treaty terms. I will accept Brandegee’s reservations but Robinson’s reservation would destroy the Treaty terms.” Mr Hughes, writing to Senator Underwood, leader of the Democrats in the Senate, declared that failure 1 to ratify the Pacific Treaty would be nothing short of a national calamity. He said ft seems to be Implied in some way that American delegates have been imposed upon or they were induced to accept some plan cunningly continued by others and opposed to by our delegates. Apart from the reflection upon the competency of the American delegates such intimations betray a very poor and erroneous conception of the conference work, no part of which whether within or outside the meetings was begun, prosecuted, or concluded in intrigue. Long before the conference met the United States stand that the Anglo-Japan-ese Alliance should be abrogated had been communicated to the Powers concerned. Mr Hughes declared it had also been made clear that the United States could enter no alliance or make any commitment to the use of arms which would Impose any such obligation as to its decision in future controversies. He asserted there were no secret notes or understandings connected with the Treaty framing but declared the Pacific Treaty was ’the result ot suggestions by representatives of the Governments concerned, but international amenities prevented him revealing the detailed discussions on the drafts submitted. He assured (Senator Underwood that, a full disclosure of the negotiations would reveal nothing contrary to the traditional policies of the United States. i i ■ ■. i