New-York tribune., 1919-08-24
Change, Adopted by Vote
of 9 to 8, Looked Upon
as Means of Keeping
U. S. Out of League
Senator Knox Asks
For Other Pacts
'Textual Revision LikeIv
to 'sCan Japan's Bluf,'' -
Some Statesmen Think
Ne.p York Tribune
W1Sh,ff dfOri Ratr<nn

Netp York Tribune
Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Aug. 23-The Sen.
ate Foreign Relations Committee to-
day, by vote of to dehed Presi-
dent Wilson's often repeated fnsistence
that the peace treaty be ratified with
out reservation or amendment, and by
a direct textual change proposed that
the German concessions in Shantung
should be restored to China instead Of
being given to Japan.
In amending the treaty the commit
tee, on motion of Senator Lodge,
moved to strike out the word Japan"
wherever it occurred in the section
relating to Shantung and to insert in
stead the word "China." The effect of
The action would be to refuse recogni-
ton Of Japan's claims to German
rights IN Kiac-chau and vicinity, as
established by secret agreements with
China and The Entente.
Later the committee voted to call on
the President for more information
about the several treaties, in order
that It might proceed intelligently with
ts work.
Senators voting for the amendment
were Ledge, Borah, Brandegee, Fall,
Knox, Harding. Hiram johnson, New
and Moses.
Those voting against were McCum-
Der, Hitchcock, Williams, Swanson.
Pomerene, Mark Smith, Pittman and
Shields
Opening of War on Treaty
The Shantung vote was a declara-
tion Of war on the treaty" declared
Senator Swanson.
Although deprecating the possibility
of the Senate approving the commit
tees action, Senator Swanson said that
If it did the result would be to send the
treaty back for approval to the four
principal powers. Great Britain, France,
Italy and Japan. AS the first three are
bound to Japan by secret treaties, he
declared, all four will reject this
amendment, and the result will be that
the United States will not only be left
out Of the treaty, but out of the league
of nations.
We will be put in the same position
as Germany" he declared. with regard
10 ADMISSION to the league"
Inns view that the amendment to tha
treaty must be submitted to the four
principal powers, but need not renuira
the consideration of the peace confer
ence, IS shared not only by other Demo
cratic Senators on the committee hn+
DIV MANY OF he Ronp hii
Guiding George H. Moses, of New
hampshire, who has had consIderahl.
dlpIomatlc experience, as Minister to
Greece
hnox Asks for Other Treaties
Senator Knox moved that the cou-
mlttee suspend further consideration
OF the treaty until the treaties which
president Wilson signed while abroad
are laid before the committee. so thai
an idea of the international obliga-
'ions to be assumed by the Unitc,s
'-tes could be had by the Senate ~
io'e beng asked to commit this coun-
Try to anything. This motion pro-
voked bitter debate, IN which Senator
Lodge called attention 20 the fact
that so far the President has not sub
mltted to the Senate the treaty. with
roland or two protocols with Germany
which he signed in Paris on June 2S.
although these documents have been
laid before the House Of Commons bv
Lloyd George and English prints have
reached the Senate through unofficial
channels.
Senator Williams objected to this
further delay. whereupon Senator
Knox declared vigorously that if the
senators wished to act as rubber
stamps, imprinting themselves where
the President told them to make I'M
presslons, Of course there was no need
Tor the information, but if they wished
10 exercise their constitutional runc-
tlons, which they had taken oath to
perform, they must have the informa-
t!on 10 act lntelhgent!y
Lodge to Write to President
In the nope of removing this possi-
blilty of delay, Senator Williams. the
strongest personal friend Of the Presi-
dent IN the Senate, then moved that
the chairman Senator LODGE write
the President asking him to send in
what information he could and such
copies % the treaties as he could. This
motion was adopted by the committee.
but the Knox motion to suspend con-
slderaticn until the treaties are re-
ccived was left pending when the com
mittee adjourned
Severa. Senators who are not op-
posed 10 The league Ct nations but who
are vigorously opposed to Shantunv
/ and other sections of the treaty. suck
as TIE Polish corridor. Thrace. tk>
oarre Valley and others, were not fIn.
p-eassd with Senator Swanson's lop{a
IN beiievlng the result Of the commit
tees action would be to leave tn.
United States out Of the league.
ihen we c3uld Join the learue ~