The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1919-10-03
would. ali grow and become more per.

llOub.
This cannot be. The American peo-
pie cannot, after victorious war, per
init its government to petition Ger
many, which has accepted the treaty,
for Its consent to changes in the trea-
ty. Yet II the United States should
amend the treaty for its own purpose
and policy, Germany would have full
right to ask for confessions. Germany
has agreed to make no claim in regard
to enemy property seized In this coun-
try to an amount Of seven hundred
million dollars. Our recent foe could
ask for a reopening Of this issue and
Of the Lusitania claims. 1t could raise
every question open before hostilities
In regard to submarine warfare and
the treatment Of its nationals in this
|'country. All the provisions for our
trade. in Germany raised by the eco
'nomA casuses Of Vie. treaty, many Of
them vital to ouB Industries and our
farms, as in dye patents, dye supplies
and fertilizers. the working Of the
reparation commission, which super.
|,lntends, the trade of all with Germany,
could all be brought up by Berlin Tor
readjustment by our negotiators, act
ing for the United States alone and no
longer associated with other victorious
powers or supported by victorious
American army on she German border.
Peace itself, the peace of the world,
is delayed until ratification comes.
And any amendment postpones peace.
Germany and England alone Of the
principal powers have ratified. The
other principals necessarily await our
action, influential and powerful as we
are today In the worlds affairs. The
ravages OF war on more than score
of fighting fronts are continued by
any needless delay. Let the senate
give the world peace by ratification
without amendment.
Even the amendment for which most
can be said, the provision in regard to
Shantung, will secure nothing which
cannot be gained If China, backed by
the powerful advocacy of the United
States, addresses itself to the machin-
cry for righting international wrongs
and meeting just claims created by
the league between nations. China,
after eighty years Of oppressive trea-
ties and despoiled rights, by which all
the great powers have profited direct
ly or indirectly, has for the first time,
| in this covenant and treaty, the means
| and method to secure justice and the
removal Of the oppressive economic in
| reference Of stronger nations whose
citizens are within her gates, protect
ed by a long succession Of interna-
tional agreements. Moreover, 1t should
| be remembered that the clause regard
| ing Shantung was made upon the state
ment by Japan that she will return
| the territory to China and, therefore,
upon that condition, compliance with
| which promise the league can require.
| The peace of the present and the
righteousness of the future can be best
/ secured by the ratification of the cove
nant and treaty without amendment.
Let the senate take no action that will
give any party to the treaty, and espe-
cially Germany, ground for maintain
ing that the ratification Of the United
j States 10 not complete and that
changes requiring i resumption Of con
ference and negotiations have been
made in it.
Among the signers in Idaho. Oregon
and Washington are:
i Idaho.
James H. Hawley, Ex-Governor.
/ Oregon.
I Charles H. Carey, Judge.
Richard w. Montague, Lawyer.
Walter Taylor Sumner, Bishop.
William D. Wheelwright, Lumber Mer
| chant.
Washington.
N. B. Coffman, President Washington
Bankers Association.
Charles w. Fassett, Mayor Of Spokane
Frederic w. Keatar, Bishop.
Josephine Corliss Preston, President
National Education Association.