The Mena weekly star., 1919-05-01
G. O.P LEADERS
 APPROVE WILSON
Endorse His Declaration Against Se- cret Bargains Made by Italy and Japan and Acqui-
 sition of Territory.

Washington, April 24.-President Wilson's attitude toward Italy was endorsed in statement today by Senator Johnson of California, Re- publican, who declared the present situation is the supreme test of the profession of our purposes which the President has so often voiced"
 "The Presidents decision," said Senator Johnson, "as I understand it, is that he, as the representative of America, will not recognize secret treaties by which territories and peo- ples were bartered away during the war. l am in hearty afford with this attitude. If the President stands firm the very humble support I can give him in this matter will be most cheer fully accorded.
 "To my mind nothing more de- pressing or humiliating to us could occur than to transmute our much vaunted idealism in territorial acqui- sition and disposition of unwilling peoples secretly agreed upon during the war. It is my hope that he will persist in his refusal to recognize Ja- pans secret bargains or Italy's secret bargains"
 Kenyon Also Approves.
 Senator Kenyon &of Iowa, Republic an, also issued statement approving ! fIo .A&
 q hope he will succeed in smash l ing not only the Italian but all se- cret treaties for all time to come," he said. "I also trust that when the Senate is called upon to consider the peace treaty that it will do so in open session and with the fullest and the freest discussion, that the public can know what is being said and done"
 While agreeing with the Presidents attitude toward secret treaties, Sen ator Borah of Idaho, Republican, said the Italian question was one which should be adjusted according to the principle of elf-determination.
 Borah Still Pessimistic.
 Tt all reveals" said Senator Bo- rah, what it means for this country to enter into and to intermeddle in European affairs. We have now been in Europe about four months seeking to adjust European affairs, and in that time we have incurred the i'll will of the people of Japan and Italy and the suspicion of the people of China and the severe criticism of the people of France. If we have &C., complished this much in four months, how much could we accomplish under the League of Nations in ten years
 Another thing is already appar- ent when you take into consideration expressions in the newspapers in Ja- pan, Italy, France and England to- day, and that is if we undertake to deal with European affairs nothing can keep them from interfering in American affairs.
 "The most powerful argument in the world for quick and speedy con- clusion of a peace treaty with Ger many and her allies and of our return home is found in the present situa- | tion."
 May Delay Return.
 Confidential dispatches from Paris to administration officials here today indicated that the crisis brought about by Italy's demands and the un- alterable determination of President Wilson not to become a party to rec ognition of secret treaties, had so upset the plans of the peace confer ence that the Presidents return to the United States probably would be delayed considerably.
 Belief was expressed in official quarters that Italy eventually would be obliged to recede from her de- mands for Plume and the Dalmation coast, though it was recognized that for the moment Premier Orlando and his delegation were obliged to main tain an unyielding attitude or face re- pudiation at home The decision of the Italians to withdraw from Paris was a desperate one, but was forced according to view here, by the oppo- sition in Italy to the present cabinet, growing so rapidly under the direc- tion of former Minister Nitti, and Giolitti, also former cabinet officer
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