New-York tribune., 1919-09-08

that, even with the compromises that
we're evidently essential to make, to
America was granted in large measure
a position of guidance and leadership.
1T is not true that the United States
was hooked by the other powers, in
either the main clauses of the treaty
Or in the league of nations covenant
This peace settlement then, upon
which all Europe has been hanging
for months, for which all industry
(employer and employe alike), all res
toration and return to life of order,
have been waiting, is brought to Wash
ington for ratification or rejection. 1t
is plain that despite the attitude of
certain Senator'S, the majority of the
Senate is disinclined openly to reject
the treaty. 1t is equally plain that
some Of the Senators are contemplating
its rejection by the much more objec-
tionablc method of making certain
alterations in it, none of them of great
Importance, but with a net result of
compelling us to go back to Germany
and ask her to have the grace to ex-
ecute new treaty with us. This we
cannot do without also begging our
own Allies to reopen negotiations with
Germany, and to assemble their own
parIaments (Which in the case OF
England, of Belgium and of some other
iva oSo nave diIcdUY approved the
treaty. to. argue for perhaps further
long months over the proposed Amer
lean alterations.
Can't See ANY Perils
Close examination of the points
which are styled as dangerous by
thos Senators who desire to amend
the treaty fails to disclose anv
perils( whatsoever. President VIII
son in his meeting with the For
eign Relations Committee on August
IL went with great care into those
points. Why reopen the whole peace
negotiation; why let Europe go from
bad to worse while we are discussing
condition that does not exist, and
that was never even contemplated at
Paris? Minor though these points at
issue are, there is no reason why any
one of them should not be brought up
and, If need be, clarified at the initial
meeting of the league of nations in
Washington next October. We should
appreciate that the covenant of the
league is not a rigid but mobile in
strument. Hardly more than the rough
machinery for the workings of So
ciety Of free nations was set up. At
PARIS 1t was expected that the per-
lection of the instrument would take
years to bring ABOUT; that meantime
there would be almost constant changes
proposed and made
"As to the main treaty, the clause
about Shantung is the only one exciting
controversy. Well, nobody likes that
clause-President Wilson, as he has
intimated, as little as any one. But
and another thing to bring about an
immediate change in it. Japan drove
the Germans out Of Shantung; and
back in the earlier days of the war. be.
tore America had come in, at a time
when things were going badly and
when Japan's support was sorely
needed, Great Britain and France
promised Japan, in response to her de-
mand, that so far as they were con-
cerned Japan should inherit Ger
many's position in China.
Wilson Was Handicapped
"Now when three years later the
question came up at Paris, perhaps it
might have been possible ror President
Wilson to say in effect Mr.. Lloyd
George and Mr.. Clemenceau, You
made poor bargain with Japan and
you must tell ner won't let you carry
it out But how could Mr.. Wilson
have actually taken such a position ?
Fortunately, his decision was rendered
somewhat less difficult by reason of
the fact that the Japanese delegation
solemnly and repeatedly stated inten-
tion to make early modification of the
Shantung settlement.
II myself believe that in this we
must rely upon two things: First,
upon Japan's good faith, and second if
that should fail, which I can hardly
conceive, then upon the effective work
ings of the league of nations. But as
to Shantung, just how our Senate to-
day can by amendment to the treaty
force England and France to go back on
their agreement with Japan and just
how we can say to Germany, who has
accepted the loss of her position in
China, that we want her to withdraw
that acceptance and consider some new
plan, it is impossible to conceive.
Meanwhile certain of our Senators
continue grossly to question the good
faith of Japan, to insult her, and to
render infinitely more difficult the
settlement of other momentous ques-
tions that have to do with the whole
future of the Far East.
Imposes Just Terms
Finally, the treaty that was evolved
imposes justly severe terms upon Ger
many. Those terms should be put into
effect at once. If they are not, Ger
many will be able to evade her obliga-
tions, and the American people will in
every way suffer serious loss. Senator