ence, and set forth a
series of general principles to be applied in the determination of
questions relating to China. Several days later the committee adopted
four resolutions, presented by Mr. Root, covering in part some of the
Chinese principles. By these resolutions the powers agreed to respect
the independence and territorial integrity of China, to give China the
fullest opportunity to develop and maintain an effective and stable
government, to recognize the principle of equality for the commerce and
industry of all nations throughout the territory of China, and to
refrain from taking advantage of present conditions in order to seek
special rights or privileges. This somewhat vague and general
declaration of principles appeared to be all that China was likely to
get. Had Mr. Hughes presented a Far Eastern program and gotten nothing
more than this, it would have been a serious blow to the prestige of
the United States. That is probably why he decided at the last moment
to let China present her own case.

At the fourth plenary session of the Conference the treaty relating to
the Pacific islands, generally known as the Four-Power Treaty, was
presented by Senator Lodge. By the terms of this treaty, the United
States, Great Britain, France, and Japan agreed "to respect their
rights in relation to their insular possessions and insular dominions
in the region of the Pacific Ocean," and in case of any dispute arising
out of any Pacific question to refer the matter to a joint conference
for consideration and adjustment. This article appeared harmless
enough, but Article 2 seemed to lay the foundations of an alliance
between these powers. It was as follows: "If the said rights are
threatened by the aggressive action of any other Power, the High
Contracting Parties shall communicate with one another fully and
frankly in order to arrive at an understanding as to the most efficient
measures to be taken, jointly or separately, to meet the exigencies of
the particular situation." This treaty is to remain in force for ten
years, after which it may be terminated by any of the High Contracting
Parties on twelve months' notice. It supersedes the Anglo-Japanese
Alliance which, it expressly provided, should terminate on the exchange
of ratifications.

In presenting the treaty, Senator Lodge assured his hearers that "no
military or naval sanction lurks anywhere in the background or under
cover of these plain and direct clause