The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1919-07-26
THE sHANTUNc PROPOSAL.

peace treaty were formulated by President Wilson, and
it should have been necessary for Mr. Wilson
his fellow citizens that the reports are false No right
minded American who has casually inspected that
portion of the peace treaty could bring himself to believe
that the President of the United States the author
of that outrage upon China. No partisan, however bit
ter could possibly attribute to incumbent of the Pres
dency piece of diplomacy which is anti-American in
every word, in fact spirit.
President Wilson's disclaimer is made formally
sary by the wide distribution of the report in such form
to convey the impression that he actually wished the
people to know that he had originated the Shantung
angemcnt But his disavowa of any motive for working
injustice to China not demanded by the situation for
all Americans share with the President friendly feeling
for China and desire to Chinese political and terri
toria integrity secure against any aggressor.
The President intmates that he exertcd all the infu
he at liberty to exercise to prevent the ncorpo
ration of this injustice China in the peace treaty That
he was unable to exercise sufficient influence has been
repeatedly explained the ground that Japan would
have refused to join the league of nations if the Shan
ung proposal had been rejected This fact alone is
elusive proof that President Wilson did not originate
formulate the Shanung provisions in the peace treaty
The proposal Japans 1t repugnant to the west
ern nations friends of China They opposed the Jap
anese demands and Mr. Wilson exered all the influence
he at liberty to exert in effort to modify the Jap
demands 1t is pity that he was not at liberty
state the position of Americans in this matter for
is certain that Americas fixed opposition to this attempt
al haye to
However, the treaty must be dealt with it is and not
should be- With this fact in mind President Wilson
suggests his belief that the ultimate action of Japan with
regard to Shanung will put the whole matter in its true
light" Making allowance for the strict duty of the Pres
iden safeguard information, the disclosure of which
might disturb the friendly relations of nations it cannot
be said that there is much to China in the
situation Japan has not given any definite promise to re-
nqush the German steangs in Shantung although there
have been vague diplomatic hints that the matter would
be ultimately" adjusted to China's satisfaction.
Presiden Wilson's statement is the strongest kind of
hint to japan to clear up the Shanung situation He can
freely discuss the subject for obvious reasons but
Japan is free to make declaration which will relieve
the apprehension Of China and from the mind of
Japan intends make aggressons upon China and has
actually mancuvercd the nations into the position of sup
porting these aggressons in the league of nations That
sa most damaging impression, both to japan and the
league of nations and President Wilson very properly in
Inmates that Japan can if she WILL act in such manner
with regard to Shanung as twill put the whole matter in
its true light"
Although the Presidents carefully prepared statement
indicates that action rather than words is expected from
Japan yet it is reasonable to suppose that he we'll as
all other Americans would be quite treasured by def
mite declaration from Japan and that this declaration
would the apprehension that the league of nations
is to be twisted into an instrument of injustice toward
China Whether China however, would be satisfied with
declaration rather than the definite act of withdrawal
from Shanung another matter, which need not con-
Germ Americans at this time.
The Presidents statement does much to prevent the
spread of injurious misapprehensons tending to iname
public feeling. Now if Japan will be equally prompt to
clarity the public mind of the world concerning the dis
posa of Shanung possible of irritation will have
been completely eliminated-W Washington Post.
In their expressions upon Shantung are scat
in the nathwav of Ianan hut