New-York tribune., 1919-07-11
Borah Asks Airing
Of Shantung Case
Seeks Letter of Protest
Reported Sent Wilson
by american Delegates

WASHINGTON, July 10.-Under
resolution introduced to-day by Senator
Borah, Republican, of Idaho, President
Wilson would be asked to send the SEN
! ate copy of a letter said to have been
written by General Tasker H. Bliss on
behalf of himself, Secretary Lansing
and Henry White, protesting the de-
cislon cl of the peace conference regarding
! Shangtung.
The resolution, which went to the
Foreign Relations Committee without
debate, also would ask for information
| as to any attempt on the part of the
Japanese delegates to the conference to
It+"intimidate" the Chinese delegates.
The text of the resolution follows:
THAT the President be requested to
send|to the Senate,.if not incompatible
| with the public interest, copy of any
letter or written protest by any mem
bers of the American peace commits
sion against the disposition or adjust
ment which was made with reference to
Shantung, and particularly copy of
letter written by General Tasker H.
Bliss, member of the peace commits
sion, in behalf of himself, Robert Ian
sing, Secretary of State, and Hon.
Henry White, members Of the commits
sion, protesting against the provisions
of the treaty with reference to Shan
tung.
Also any memorandum or other in
| formation in the possession of the
American peace commission or any
member thereof with reference to the
attempt of Japan or her peace dele
gates to intimidate the Chinese peace
delegates and to control the action of
said Chinese delegates through and by
means of intimidation"
Referendum in Porto Rico
Representative Dyer, Of Missouri,
introduced in the House joint resolu-
endum by the people of Porto Rico as
to the form of government they desire
"This is what think of the Presi-
dents speech" said Representative
Dyer in making his resolution public
"The United States took Porto Rico,
following the war with Spain, without
the consent of the Porto Ricans. Ever
since the Porto Ricans have been what
you might call "a people without a
country Although they proved their
loyalty during the war by contributing
worth Of Liberty bonds, Congress dur
ing twenty years has failed to give
them American citizenship. At the
same time we have been unable to gov
ern them justly and fairly because they
are distant and speak different Ian
guage.
THE Porto Ricans are as fit for self
government as Cuba, and are able from
every standpoint to govern themselves
better than we or any other govern
ment can"
Three Questions Proposed
Representative Dyer's resolution
would have the Secretary of War sub
nit the following questions to ref
erendum vote in Porto Rico:
'Do you desire that the Congress of
the United States grant to the people
of Porto Rico its independence?
"Do you desire that the Congress of
the United States grant to the people
of Porto Rico a territorial form of
government?
"Do you desire that the Congress of
The United Sta+-- continue in Porto
Rico its PREF e-@rm Of government
as provided IN the act Of March 2,
1912"
The resolution provided further that
the Secretary Of War have an election
held by the people of Porto Rico to
ascertain their wishes, and that $780,
600 be appropriated for the expenses of
the referendum.