The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-14
STATE MACHINERY
AT STANDSTILL


partment by the American Minister to
China, DR.. Reinsch.
DR.. Reinsch since has resigned. It Is
known that he was placed In a most en-
tarrassing position in China ever since
the Peace Conference determined to give
Shantung to Japan because he had given
certain personal assurances that the
United States would use all its influence
to protect China from that settlement
He first cabled his resignation within a
few days after decision of the Paris con-
ference became public, and despite eff
forts Of the Presidents personal agents
at Paris to induce him to remain at his
post finally insisted that he be relieved
His report on the railroad situation Is
understood to bear out the charges con-
stantly made that japan Is getting con-
troll of the whole Chinese transportation
system and using II to strengthen us
grip on the country. To know the exact
facts in this situation while the shan
tung provisions of the treaty are under
discussion Ia obviously of the utmost I'M
portance to the Senate.
Finally, there is pending resolution
by Senator Lodge (Mass.) authorizing
the President to call an international
conference to consider the ultimate dis
position of the ocean cable lines formerly
owned by Germany and taken from her
under the peace treaty.
When the question was raised in the
Foreign Relations Committee discussion
became general. II was marked by no
heat or partisanship, but by a frank
recognition Of the gravity OF the matter
in hand Senator New (Ind) recalled
the facts attending the long Illness CT
President Garfield and the short one OF
President Mckinley.
Public Then Was Informed.
He pointed out that neither OF these
constituted a precedent in the present
case because in both instances the coun-
try was given fullest information as to
| the condition OF the patients There
| was no mystery. no possibility of rumor
dealing with the facts and exaggerating
; or misstating them. II was possible TO
suspend the pressure o. business on the
executive departmsn without interfering
with the Governments processes. which
| is not possible at this time, especially
| in view Of the admission that the Presi-
dent may not for a long period be able
\ to resume his duties.
Senator Lodge also pointed out the
| wide differences between those former
cases and the present one and the en-
barrassments now presented. Later In
the day Senator Poindexter by way OF
pointing out the necessity that the exec
utive department OF the Government
shall be capable OF functioning, said
speaking of his resolution:
| 1.-THE Information asked in this resolu'
ton Is of the utmost importance in con-
nection with the consideration Of the
peace treaty. ! have outside infor1na.
ton that the documents requested ir
| this resolution will throw a very In
I far oh ha IF a
toward China. II the friends of the Ad-
ministration say they are not able to at
tend to business concerning tho treaty
at this time they are not able to give
proper consideration to the treaty it
self"
| Moses Makes Explanation.
| Senator Moses On HI found himself
the centre OF teapot tempest to-day
because Of the publication OF persona
letter he had written TO an inquirins
constituent who wanted to know the
truth about the Presidents condition
Publication of the letter caused inquiries
as to whether the Senate had inside In
formation indicating a vecy grave CON
dition of the Presidents health.
"Of course" said Senator Moses, eth,
letter was not written with any thought
of the possibility that II would be
printed 1t gave the best information
had been able to get, just as sup1Os'
about every other Senator has writer
in private letters to persons asking SINH
lar questions Now 1 find that peopl
are divided into two groups, one main
tanning that I have. committed pc
culiarly atrocioes act and the other tina
have done n real public service.
can only say that had no idea of do
ing either"
AS to the measures available for deal
ing with long incapacity of the Presi
dent, there is much divergence OF view
A school of technical constructionist
hold that 1t is necessarv that somebod
with a direct interest in the matter sha'
initiate action. One suggested tn
method would be for a member OF hi
family to initiate a proceeding In court