Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-05-16
Can the League Act?

d.. Charles II. LeveImore Of New
York, writes as follows to the editor
Of the New York Times concerning
the rights OF China ana the duty of
the league OF nations IN her case:
1t is reported that President Wilson
felt compelled 10 assent TO Japanese
claims in Shantung because France and
England were already in possession OF
similar overlordships in hinese terri
tory. This comes perilously near TO ans
assertion that two wrongs make d right.
1t pfoclaims the doctrine that Potsdani
politics. when once recognized in inter-
national -, usage age. creates ppe.eaen Mt
the same old evil. What Hun W II need
any more proof of his constant assertion
that he is no greater sinner than ms
neighbors?
The United States seems to have lost
a splendid opportunity to tell the truth
and shame the devil. Our representa-
t:>es could have said: The German SUI
lremacy in Shantuns was acquired o!
ruthless injustice and shameless bully
ing. The FIRST duty of the nations is TO
undo that wrong and restore China 5
rights in her own territory. Hence
forth the economic development OF
Cnina must be absolutely divorced from
any single alien lolt.ca control. emma
must be treated as the ward oil the
League Of Nations and not as the spec
. isl preserve of the United States, or
Japan. or England. or France. or any
other Nil ion. The welfare of China. DIS
interpreted by her own best leaders, is
the main object.
Such an utterance might have helped
the civilian party in Japan TO overthrow
their Junkers. who have the same spirit
as their Prussian coneeners.
such an Htterancc would have gone
far toward dsplac;ns the precedent set
i'll. agreement,
undertook to settle Chinese relations
, with it's neighbors without consulting
China. To that extent at least that
agreement was indefensible. Shantung
is in China. not in Japan. The treaty
proposes to nake the Japanese Govern
ment. the rea, roler of that province, the
possessor of it's railways and mines, and
the heir of the Potsdam War Lord in
kiao-Chau.
But we have heard President Wilson $
voice in our Senate Chamber saying:
II am proposing as il were. that the Ma :
tons should with one accord adopt the
doctrine of President Monroe as the
doctrine of the world: that no nation
should seek to extend its policy over
any other nation or people. hut that
every people should be left free to de-
termine it's own politics. it's own way Of
development unhindered. Nnthreatened
unafraid. the little along with the great
and powerful. -,
No wonder it is said that China will
!
! peal to the League OF Nations at once:
! ana find out whether the League will
maintain Monroe Doctrine of the
world. or will repeat the tyrannies OF
! tn Holy Alliance.
The American Monroe doctrine
I which means the exclusion Of Euro
! pean powers as settlers in the West
| ern hemisphere is one thing. The
| principle of allowing each nation to
go its own way "unhindered. nn-
threatened and unafraid' is another.
! The revision of the league of ma
tons covenant tries to make them
the same thing. 1t takes the
! American doctrine as n sample and
classes with it other engagements
that exist or may exist between ma =
tons for securing the maintenance
| of peace" and leaves decisions over
Interpretation to the league. Hence
forth America is not to have jnris-
| diction over her established foreign
! policy which has been consistently
followed for nearly hundred years.
The Japanese maintain that
! recognition of the American doc
trine gives validity TO their own
Monroe doctrine" of the east, and
that they have the right and duty to