Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-09-26

friendly relations with the new states
formed in that region. OF course it
would then be able to turn most Of its
attention to the East, where Admiral
Kolchak is reported to have had sew
eral notable successes recently.
Japan, according to report, has been
asked by the United States to pledge
formally the return of Shantung to
China, and to set date for the resto-
ration. At the time of writing no re
ply had been received from Tokyo,
and the japanese foreign Office de-
MED that any such note had been re-
ceived from Washington. In state
ments issued in California, in reply to
lists of questions asked him, President
Wilson asserted that the League of
Nations would have a powerful effect
in forwarding the final restoration Of
Shantung to China, and that no other
instrumentality or action could be sub
stituted which could bring about that
result. In one of his San Francisco
addresses he said the great powers
had Japan's promise to return Shan
tung to China. and intended to see
that it was fulfilled under the league
His colleagues at Versailles, he said,
told him they meant under the league
to inaugurate a new policy toward
China.
Another subject taken up by the
president in his answers to questions
and in his speeches was the Irish ques-
ton. This, he asserted. could prop
erly be brought up in the council of
the league under article XI, (which
makes it the right of every member
of the leagNe to draw attention to any
thing anywhere that is likely to dis
turb the peace of the world or the
good understanding between nations,
upon which the peace of the world de-
pends" The covenant would not bind
the United States to assist in putting
down rebellion in any foreign coun-
try, he said, nor would it limit the
power of this country to recognize the
independence of any people who seek
to secure freedom. He explained that
Ireland was not given hearing at the
peace conference because the confer
ence had no Jurisdiction over ques-
tions of that sort that affected terri.
tories that did not belong to the de.
| feated empires.
The Irish-American. opponents Of the
league were far from satisfied with
this reply, and especially did they dis
like what they termed the presidents
righteousness They asked him tc
answer point-blank the question: care
| you in favor of self-determination fol
Ireland" and requested a reply by
September 25, when the Irish execu
tive committee meets in New York. II
does not seem possible that they e1
| pect a "yes-or-no" answer to such 9
! question.
Some one must have whispered 9
warning to Mr. Wilson concerning the
| resentment caused by his general at
| tacks on all senators who do not favor
ratification of the treaty as it stands
for last week his speeches were
much more conciliatory, and he ever
had. good words to say concerning the
mild reservationists." But his ex
pressed opinion Of the Borah-Johnsor
group had not changed. Throughout
the country there is evident a de
termination to learn definitely wha
the treaty and covenant mean, and The
crowds that flock to hear the presi
dent and the opposition senators arr
not actuated solely by curiosity to SCI
and hear notables. Each in his owl
way, and from his own standpoint, thu
speakers are trying to enlighten th,
people, and it is especially crafty
ing to note that Mr. Wilson is more
explicit in his explanations Of tht
articles over which the main contest:
have arisen.
The national committee for organic
ing iron and steel workers announced