Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-08-26
SENATEBODY
AGAIN VOTES
TO CUT PACT
Adopts Amendments to
Keep U. S. Off Interna
tional Commissions.

Washington, Aug. 2G.-In
quick succession the senate for
eign relations committee
adopted today a series OF
amendments TO the treaty elm
mating the United States as
one of the powers represented
on international commissions
created to supervise recon-
struotiOn in Europe.
The vote on the successive
amendments was nine TO sew
en-, the committee dividing on
party lines.
Under the blanket amendment to
the peace treaty, agreed TO by the
| foreign relations committee, Amer
lean representation would be elm
| mated from the various interna-
| tional commissions which are to
supervise European reconstruc-
/ tion with the exception OF the rep
arations commission and such 9TH
ers as are to be appointed by the
League of Nations.
The change would affect about a
score of commissions and would
change tho language of the treaty
in more than fifty places.
The committee divided along
strict party lines, with nine Repub-
lican votes cast in the affirmative
and seven Democratic votes in the
negative. Not all of the Democrats
were present but by agreement
their votes were cast. Senator Nc
/ Cumber Of North Dakota, who vot-
+ ed with the Democrats in opposi-
tion to the Shantung amendment.
adopted Saturday, was the only Re
publican absent. His vote was not
cast.
Although the committee acted
/ specifically on only four of the
| treaty provisions in question. there
was an agreement that the votes on
these separate provisions would be
only perfunctory and to carry into
effect the blanket proposal.
Amendments by Fall.
The amendments were presented
| by Senator Fall. Republican, New
, Mexico, who said he excepted the
reparation commission because
there were certain decisions affect
ing American Shipping interests in
volved in the commission work
The change has no effect on pro-
visions like that regarding the
Saar basin. where the commission
is to be appointed by the League.
McCumber Address.
Washington. Aug. 26.-Declaring
! the Republican majority Of the
foreign relations committee was
attempting by the Shantung
amendment to the peace treaty, 10
drive a poisoned dagger" into the
peace treaty and to place the
United States in the position Of a
big bully" Senator McCumber Of
North Dakota, the only Republican
member OF the committee who
voted against the amendment.
asked the senate today TO over rule
the committees action.
The speaker said mo greater
blow could ever be struck against
the real interests of China" than
by the committee amendment, the
actual purpose of which, he as
serted. was to kill the treaty and
the league. The amendment pro-
vides that the old German rights in
Shantung province shall go 10
China in place of Japan.
Stirring Up Trouble.
"Why did the majority Of this
committee pause in the midst Of
their hearings to make this par
ticular amendment" he continued,
"and then proceed with the usual
leisure to lay out dates for further
hearings which will consume a
week or so more? The purpose
is apparent II is 70 signify to the
country that the senate is hostile
to this treaty. 1t is to put Japan in
a position where she cannot, with
out an appearance OF being coerced,
do what she has promised to do. lt
is to create trouble between this
country and Japan and thereby
send the first dagger thrust into
the body OF this treaty.
Questions Motives.
"Is Il an act Of true friendship
toward China or a mere political
move TO defeat the treaty? II its
sponsors now fail to openly
pledge that II Japan Is driven out
of this treaty, then the United
States will proceed single handed
and alone to drive Japan out OF
China-will renew this world war
and send our soldiers into the
orient to fight for her, then by this
act. they are betraying China with
a false Christianity. Ihey Know
and we know that this country
will never go to war against Japan
to prevent Japan from doing just
what we have allowed every other
nation to do in China with pro
test.
China Has Assurance.
With the League OF Nations,
China obtains an assurance which
is tantamount to a guaranty by all
the world that not only will Japan
return to China what Germany
wrested from her in 1898. but
henceforth and so long as this
league shall last, no other nation
shall rob China OF one inch Of her
territory or exercise any control OF
her people inconsistent with the
claims of complete independence
and sovereignty"