"PROPOSED BY SENATOR BRANDEGEE OF CONNECTICUT"

FOUR POWER TREATY WILL BE APPROVED BY SENATE

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On March 15, 1922, the United States Senate agreed "to vote on the four-power treaty*...beginning at noon on Friday, March 24."

Senator Frank B. Brandegee** (R-Connecticut),  with Senator Henry Cabot Lodge 'indisposed,' proposed the agreement.

The New York Tribune reports "the treaty will be approved without any reservations except the one recommended by the Foreign Relations Committee."

*Four Power Treaty was signed on Dec 13, 1921 by U.S., Great Britain, France & Japan.  The powers agreed to respect each other's Pacific island dependencies for 10 years.

**Frank Bosworth Brandegee (1864-1924) was born in New London, Connecticut & graduated from Yale University.  FBB served in the US House of Representatives 1903-1905 & US Senate 1905-1924.

SOURCE

"Ratification of Treaty Now Seems Sure; Vote Is Fixed for March 24," Chronicling America, Historic American Newspapers, The New York Tribune, March 16, 1922, www.chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ 

   

 

Senator Frank B. Brandegee

Harris & Ewing Photo (1910)

Library of Congress

"A VEIL OF SECRECY THROWN ABOUT NEGOTIATIONS"

HARDING DEEMS RELEASE OF TREATY RECORDS INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE PUBLIC INTEREST

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On February 20, 1922, President Warren G. Harding "advised the Senate that it was impossible to comply with the Hitchcock resolution asking for the records, minutes and conversations...on the four power treaty drawn up at the armament limitation conference."

The President's letter to the United States Senate claimed requests could not be honored because "no records existed" and "he deemed it incompatible with the public interest."

Senator G.B. Hitchcock* (D-Nebraska), in reaction to the President's statements, said a "veil of secrecy had been thrown about the four-power treaty negotiations."

The President's letter also stated that "there were no concealed understandings and no secret exchanges of notes."

*Gilbert Monell Hitchcock (1859-1934) was born in Omaha, Nebraska & graduated from the University of Michigan Law School 1881.  GMH was a member of U.S. House of Representatives 1903-1905, 1907-1911, & U.S. Senate 1911-1923.

SOURCE

"Harding Can't Give Senate Treaty Data," The New York Tribune, February 21, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

 

 

The Honorable G. M. Hitchcock

D-Michigan

Harris & Ewing Photo

Library of Congress Image 

"STRIDES MADE TOWARD INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION"

FOUR-POWER TREATY ACCEPTED BY U.S., BRITAIN, JAPAN & FRANCE; WILL PRESERVE PEACE IN PACIFIC FOR 10 YEARS

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On December 10, 1921, the United States, Great Britain, Japan and France accepted the "Four-Power Treaty*" which is an agreement to preserve peace in the Pacific.  The Treaty is to be in effect for a period of ten years.

The Evening Star reports the treaty will pave the way "to acceptance of American proposals for reduction of naval armament and contribute to settlement of the Chinese questions."

By the treaty, the four powers agree to "respect their insular possessions and dominions in the Pacific."

David Lawrence writes that the action of the Disarmament Conference meeting here in Washington is evidence of the "strides...made by the Harding administration toward international co-operation."

*The Four-Power Treaty (1921) was signed at the Washington Naval Conference.  All parties agreed to maintain the status quo in the Pacific, not to seek further expansion & mutually consult when disputes arise.

SOURCE

"Four-Power Treaty Agreed To By Delegates; Pledges Keeping Peace In Pacific Ten Years," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C. December 10, 1921, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

   

 

Four-Power Treaty

Harris & Ewing Photo

Library of Congress