The sun., 1919-08-01
U. S. INSISTS ON
FREEDOM OF SEA
America Opposes Plan to Per-
nit British Warships to
Stop Merchantmen
HITS RUSSIAN BLOCKADE
Peace Delegates in Paris In
structed to Take q Res0-
lutte Stand. 81
By LAURENCE HILLS.
gtaf CoyresDonderf of TIE Sun.

Copyright, 1919; oil rights reserved.
PARIS, July Silt is intimated
here that instructions have been sent
from Washington to the Peace Com
mlssioners to make IL absolutely clear
that the United States never will
sanction any plan which would give
British warships the right to stop
merchant ships which might be
bound for any country with which no
actual state of war exists. These
instructions, 1t is understood, were
forwarded as the result Of queries by
the American peace delegates as to
what stand they should take In the
matter Of blockading Russia.
1t was pointed out by the State
Department that to sanction the
blockade and give British and other
warships the right to stop American
vessels under any conditions other
than an actual state Of war would
establish a precedent repugnant to
American ideas.
Notes Previously Exchanged.
Various notes exchanged between
the United States and Great Britain
on this subject have been brought
up to sustain the American position.
AS n result there can be no blockade
unless all countries, including the
neutrals, put embargoes on goods and
the Russian Bolsheviks will continue
tc get supplies.
Baron Maxine took leave of his
colleagues in the Big Five this after
noon and will start to Japan to-mor-
row. His departure leaves the Chinese
situation exactly where 1t was, with
interest concentrated for the moment
In Washington and Toxic for an ex-
pected declaration.
AS already indicated in THE SUN, II
Toxic follows the advice Of Maxine
there will be no declaration such as
President Wilson desires. The sltua-
tion developing here in the last few
days is this:
First, the japanese show un-
mistakably that they want the
Chinese to sign the German treaty,
for unless the Chinese sign Japan
is placed technically in the position
cI taking Shantung and other
German rights by force, even
though President Wilson and other
members OF the Big Four sane
toned 1t. Also the Chinese boy
colt Of japanese goods Is extend
Ing rapidly, causing fears that
Japanese trade with China will be
injured seriously.
| Second, the Chinese here insist
they will not sign the treaty unless
japan gives a pledge in writing,
putting a definite time limit upon
her occupation Of Shantung.
Third, the japanese in pour
parlers with the Americans have
stated that they have every inten-
tlon OF rellnquishlng Shantung
within two years, yet have refused
to make a public declaration to
this effect to China OF the world
because 1t would be giving coun-
tenance to assertions that Japan
could not be trusted.
Owing TO the attitude Of the Ameri
can Republican Senators the French
are beginning to take great interes
in the japanese situation, displaying
sympathy with China, La VERT,
taking up the japanese contention
that 1t was they who induced China t.
enter the war. This is denied ant
the statement made that Japan al
ways opposed China's entrance int
the war on the ground that Japan''
rights in Shantung would b,
jeopardlzed.
Referring to Senator ,Borah's con
tention that for the Senate to approx.
the Shantung settlement would be {,
sanction a dishonorable transaction
the newspaper says "this argumen
holds equally good in the case o
1.-THE French Parliament"