Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-08-08
ONRUSH OF BIG
PROBLEMS HITS
CAPITAL HARD
Continued from Page one.)

continued from Page One.)
opens a new chapter in the peace
situation Japan, judging by pre-
vious expressions and limitations,
probably will not be pleased by
President Wilson's public state
ment, clarifying" the declaration
japanese here we're visibIy dis
pleased last week when senators
said they had the impression from
Mr.. Wilson that unless Japan made
a public statement on the Shan
tung controversy he would do SO
himself. Japan has now made the
long awaited statement. But it
isn't satisfactory to President Will
son-that is, it would not appease
senate opposition and the presi-
dent fastened to make public what
he has been telling senators in pri-
vate about the pledges made to
him personally in the council of
five.
Is Difference In Views.
= There is a vital difference be-
tween Mr.. Wilson's statement and
the declaration by the Japanese
foreign minister. 1t is not a dis
crepancy that is irreconcilable,
however For the Japanese evil
IDENTIFY have believed they never
would get certain economic priv
fIeges from China unless they were
able to negotiate a direct agree
ment with China and therefore
have adopted the policy of wanting
to see China's signature on the Yer
n
date for the return of Shantung.
But President Wilson clearly dis
associates any agreement made be-
tween China and japan in 1915
from the settlement arrived at in
versailles and serves notice that
he interprets Japan's promise to
return Kia Chau as valid prospect
i've of what China does. This
should please the Chinese and re-
Neal to them that Mr.. Wilson has
net done the many things which
critics of the Shantung policy have
averred he did. On the other hand,
Mr.. Wilson may have incurred the
dispIeasure of the Japanes and also
may have to some extent put into
jeopardy Japan's interests in the
League of Nations. For unless
Japan is whole heartedly interested
in the league and enters without
mental or written reservations as
to her future policy, the settlement
of many vexing far eastern prob
lens will continue to cause uncer-
tainty about the peace of the far
east
Senate Makes No Speed.
So as matters stand, the senate
is making no effort to speed up
consideration Of the peace treaty
and League of Nations. Japanese
public opinion on President Will
sons statement is yet a factor to
be reckoned with in international
harmony The cost of living ag1-
tation and labor strikes are over
wheIming the president and will
soon be squarely before congress.
Prosecution of the packers and al
legged profiteers will be pressed by
Attorney General Palmer. Alto
gether there is pushing and pull
ing; a struggle for party advan-
tage and an effort to cover per-
sonal idiosycracies, which when
taken collectively reveals Washing
ton nowadays as victimized by so
Rfany different situations, foreign
and domestic, political and eco
nomical as to cause genuine anx-
tety,
Much ~Buck Passing" Ahead2 !
For unless the country begins to |
command the Republican party in |
congress to function as a party in
stead of as a series of indeepndent |
units and elements and unless con-
crete remedies are suggested by |