The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1919-08-16

| July 18th, says: 1.-The OutburSt in the
senate by Senator Borah and others
with respect to the Shantung prov
ince is not, of course, as "highly un-
important" as Senator Reeds cry Of
negro domination or Senator Sher-
mans fright at the restoration OF
the temporal power of the Pope has
become. But in the end this new is
sue is not likely to affect the ratifica-
ton of the treaty.
"The exact facts in respect to the
Shantung matter have not been set
forth as clearly and fully as could be
desired. What Germany had in China
was granted her by China at the time
| of the Boxer troubles by way of an
indemnity for the killing of her
minister, Baron Kettler, and was one
of the concessions to foreign powers
which grew out of the rising against
the foreigners in the time of the dow
ager empress. That which Germany
seems to have secured was lease,
with political and exclusive dominion
for 100 years, over the town of Kiao-
chow, with $4,000 inhabitants to-
gether with the economic right to
construct railway through the prov
ince of Shantung, which Germany and
China should jointly operate and
which Germany might police.
'sThe superficial area over which
Germany was given absolute political
dominion was about 200 square miles.
She acquired no other government
control, except the indirect influence
of operating and policing railway
through a great province of 100000
900 inhabitants. To represent this
as cession of political dominion over
them and their country is, of course,
inaccurate.
"When Japan was induced to unite
with Great Britain and France and
Russia against Germany one of the
inducements offered her, it seems,
was a transfer of German rights in
China. She thereupon proceeded to
conquer Kiaochow, a work of con-
siderable difficulty, and established
herself in possession of the German
holdings. She then policed the Pa
cific for the Allies and drove Cor
many out of that very large part of |
the globe. She also helped to guard |
from Australia and other |
countries of the allied nations into
the Mediterranean
"When the question arose as to the
to be made of German
colonies and holdings outside of Ger
many, Japan claimed these rights in
Shantung as a part of the contract
under which she entered the war.
The contract, of course, did not bind
the United States, but it did bind the
other Allies.
cit related to status which was !
not the immediate result of war and
which had been established for Is
years when the war begun. 1t would
nave been we'll if these German en-
upon Chinese independ-
,nce and territory could have been s
wiped out as a result of the war, but {
n view of the circumstances it was
difficult to secure the con-
,ent of Japan.
Japan is one of the great powers.
Japan has more of the Prussian spirit
han any of the nations still strong. !
She has gained wealth and power out
# the war. She is nation whose al /
lance with Germany in the future !
night be dangerous to the peace of
he world. She is a nation whom it !
S important to have as a cooperating !,
.
ecure peace. She is a nation whose !
leeds restraint. The other result of !
al acquisition of the other govern :
nents, are not to be changed In other :
words, the reform under the league
f nations and the principles de- ),
Jared in the Ia points can not prac- !,
ically be made retroactive in every :
ase.
"Of course we deprecate Japan's ..
lsistence on retaining German rights :,
ut we would be unreasonable if we =
i'd not realize how exceedingly diff =
icult it was for the president to =
hange situation created before he :,
,as factor in it. 1t is said that he :,
ielded on the Shantung business in 4
rider to save the league of nations. +
e it so. That was statesman like "
purse to pursue. Suppose instead
that insistence upon a restoration q
{ Kiaochow and the economic rights A
, China had led Japan to refuse to n
lbscribe to the league of nations s,
nd to stand out against such peace a
sttlement. Her then position in the
orld would have been constant a.
treat. Germany would promptly a
Ike advantage of her attitude and an Il
liance between the two would be ty
lite certain. The necessary result G
such an alliance would be the be- cl
inning of new alignment, ultimate CT
to result in another war Il
How much prejudiced is China by al
lis result of the war? Japan is not Of
kelly to have any more spirit of en- N
oachment than Germany would have Of
I'd. Senator Borah and Senator OF
,hnson were certainly not in favor in
our going to war with Germany m
take the Shantung rights away tie
ON her. Are they in favor of doing
now with Japan? Do they adj Sc
'cate conscription for the purpose? al
"Are they really stirred by love of D.
lima and the Chinese? How earnest if
ould we regard such eloquent peri M
S coming from those who are de- WI
anding the maintenance of our iso- ar
lion and are painting in lurid colors sh
e certain sacrifices of our soldiers OF
remote wars under article 10? Is Wi