The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-08
Own Prime Minister.

The important councils we're those in
WHICH only h four premlers Presl-
dent Wilson participated. Frequently
these lasted all day and at the end OF
a nerve-racking ordeal, which was
practically without recess. Mr.. Wilson
often found himself unable to repeat
all the conversation of many hours du-
ration. Minutes were kept for a while,
but even this proved a stumbling block.
Each member of the American mission
was busy, too, with his own tasks. Sec
rotary Lansing worked on the commit
tee fixing the responsibility for the war.
Col. House worked on the league of
nations committee. But President VIII
son, as his own prime minister, worked
personally on the most delicate prob
lens which are now up for discussion,
He alone can tell the senate commit
tee, and he has offered through Senator
Hitchcock either to go to the capitol
or receive the whole committee. Also
he is comforting with Republican sena-
tors and answering their questions. But
the veil of secrecy is placed upon these
conferences and men like Senator Nor
In the open. So, unless the senate COM
mittee decides 20 call Mr., Wilson to
testify, the public may not get the
information 1t seems to wan about in
innate negotiations IN Paris.
President Wilson'S statement on the
shantung question, however, opens, a
new chapter in the peace situation. ia
pan, Judging by previous expressions
and limitations, probably will not be
pleased by President Wilson'S public
statement clarifying the declaration
of the Japanese foreign minister. Japa-
nese here were visibly displeased last
week when senators said they had
the impression from Mr.. Wilson that
unless Japan made a pNblic statement
on the Shantung controversy he would
do so himself.
Japan has now made the long-awaited
statement. But 1t Is not satisfactory to
President Wilson-that Is, q would not
appease senate opposition, and the pres
ident fastened to make public what he
has boen telling senators in private
about tie pledges made to him per
| sonally in the council of five. g..
Vital Difference.
There is a vital difference between
Mr.. Wilson'S statement and the declar-
alton by the Japanese Foreign minister
1t Is not a discrepancy that Is irrecon-
| cilable, however, For the Japanese evi,
IDENTIFY have believed they never woult
| get certain economic privileges from
China unless they were able to nego.
tate a direct agreement with C%lna
and therefore have adopted the policy
of wanting to see China's signature OF
the Versailles peace treaty before fix.
ing a date for the return of Shantung
But President Wilson clearly as.
sociates any agreement made between
China and Japan In 1915 from the set.
tlement arrived at In Versailles, anC
serves notice that he i%nterprets Japan
promise to return Kiauchau as valid
irrespective Of whaS China does.
This should please the Chinese ant
reveal to them that Mr.. Wilson hal
not done the many things which critic,
of III Shantung policy have averret
he did. On the other hand, MIR. Wilson
may have incurred the displeasure o
the Japanese and also may have to som,
extent put into jeopardy Japan's inter.
est in the league Of nations. For, uu'
less Japan Is whole -heartedly interested
in the league and enters without men
tai or written reservations as to he
future policy, the settlement Of man.
vexing Far Eastern problems will con,
tinue to cause uncertainty about thu
peace of the Far East.
Copyright. 1919, by David Lawrence.