The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-16
Amendment to Be Pressed,
but Vote Will Be Very
Close.
- sfa
MANY SENATORS HEARD
Colt, Lenroot and Spencer
Opposed to Structural
Changes in Treaty.
SHIELDS FOR FREE HAND
Tennessee Democrat Wo0rs
Preserve Liberty of Action
in All Great Issues.
Special Despatch TO THE Sun.


WASHINGTON. Oct. 15.-The Senate
spent to-day debating the Shantung
amendment to the peace treaty which
proposes to give the German rights in
the Chinese province to China instead
of Japan. When the day opened 1t
was believed that a vote would be
taken before adjournment, but that
proved il,usive. and the Senate took
to be heard, but under a tentative
agreement for a vote tomorrow.
Nothing now warrants a change in
the earlier judgment that the Shan
tung amendment would be defeated.
but that later a reservation bearing on
the same subject and expressing the
dissent Of the United States from the
treaty's provisions probably will be
adopted. Senators Colt (R. I.). Len
root (Wis.) and Spencer (Mo) de-
clared themselves in favor OF a reser-
argued that the reservation would
serve every purpose and be more effec-
tive. They were vigorously opposed in
this conclusion by Senators Lodge
(Mass), Reed tMo.), Borah Idahol
and others.
Senator Lenroot suggested form Of
reservation which he strongly advocated,
and reasserted the position he hereto
fore has taken. that he would vote
against the treaty as whole uness
Modification were made giving the in
forests OF .smerica full protection. He
proposed as reservation that the United
States Should withhold its consent TO the
paragraphs dealing with ShantunE Cthat
is, ceding it to Japan, and reserve fun
/ liberty of action with reference to any
controversy arising under it,
Shields Declines Position.
Senator Shields (Tenn), one of the
Democrats known to be against the
Presidents programme. declared his at
titude in detail for the first time and in
concise language. He asserted that he
would vote against the treaty ratification
unless the interests of the country were
amply protected. but argued that the
Shantung amendment was illogical.
The proposed amendment, in my opin-
| lon." said Senator Shields, Conflicts di-
! rectly with the long established policy
Of the United States forbdding inter
vention in intrigues, political affairs ant
resultant wars of foreign countries.
which is undertaken to be abandoped and
a outr l.- t,..la
League of Nations, and which a ma
| jority of the Senate. l hope and believe,
will obviate by the reservation reported
| by the Committee on Foreign Relations
! for that purpose, or one similar In effect,
! to which. and other reservations in line
with il, | will give my hearty support.
] am unable to reconcile support OF the
Shantung amendment, q matter solely
| between the Empire Of Japan and the
| Republic of China, with the proposed
| reservation to Article X. and in my be-
lief those who support the amendment
| and this reservation are occupying abb
solutely inconsistent positions
IL shall oppose all provisions of the
proposed League of Nations and tho
! treaty which violate or tend to abandon
the policy OF the United States. pro
| claimed by Washington and reiterated
! in messages and other public documents
1 by jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Jackson,
Cleveland and by President Wilson in
public addresses as late as 1914, 1915
! and 1916, that this country should not
form any entangllng alliances or involve
itself in the jealouses, strifes political
intrigue and resultant wars OF foreign
countries and support such amendments
| and reservations as may be necessary to
preserve unimpaired that policy,
Wants No More Conscripttob.
II am unwilling TO obligate the United
| States to guarantee the territorial integ-
rity and existing political independence
of some forty-fve nations found in every
part OF the globe. populated by all the
| different races OF peoples and nationali-
ties including the far flung possessions
| of the British Empire ! am unwilling
to vote again for a conscript law to send
Young men OF this country into foreign
| countries like Hessian mercenaTies 10
take part In a war the right or wrong
! OF which they do not know and In which
our country Is not interested. An army
cannot be raised for that purpose In any
other way than by such legislation; and
| now predict IL this treaty be ratified
that there will be instances where Con-
! gross will fail 10 observe II. although n
Is in honor bound TO carry out any seaty
that the constitutional treaty making
powers shall enter into"
81 wish to call the Senator's atten-
ton" interrupted Senator Reed, "to the
fact that the pending military bill makes
conscri ption automatic the mOment q
war is declared, the President having
the right TO call out the troops by rht
draft process Just "a he had during the
last war, and that bill is now submitted
az a go ,,F, ~
peace"
81 can announce right now replied
Senator Shields that II such provisions
arc in the bill when It comes bs'ore the
Senate It shall not have my support"
81 will not consent" continued Seua-