Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-08-22
SHANTUNG WRONGED,
WILSON ADMIT TED
Prof. Williams Says President
Upheld Sanctity Of "Uncon-
scionable" Pacts
NEW LIGHT ON CONFERENCE

control in Shantung province. CHINA
was told the Senate foreign relations
committce today by Prof. f. T. Will
linms. formerly the State Department
expert on Far Eastern affairs, who
acted as n technical adviser to the
American peace delegates.
Professor Williams said he had "ob-
jected very strongly" TO the Shantung
settlement. but that his resignation
from. the Peace Commission had not
been due to his opposition.
Alternatives Presented
April 90, the witness said, President .
Wilson sent for him and asked him
which of the proposed alternatives
would be less injurious to China --th"
transfer of the German Shantung
rights to japan or insistcnCc on the /
execution of Japan's treaty with emma
growing out Of the famous twenty one
demands of 1915.
"I replied" continued Professor |
Williams, that ] hoped neither course
would be found necessary. The IroSl-
dent said that unfortunately Great
Britain and France were bound by Ger /
tain engagements with Japan to support
Japan's claims in Shantung and that ,
LLOYD George said he would bow only /
on the consideration that tn" 1910
treaty was executed.
.'The President added that the war
seemed to have been fought to cstab- /
lish the sanctity of treaties and while {
some of them were unsCionabIe it looked
as though it would be necessary t" rec
ognize them.
Suggested AbrogatiOn of Treaty
The witness said he suggested that
since the 1915 treaty was eXacted by
force It ought not to be binding. but
that the President replied Japan might
not be willing to recognize that they
wore made by force. Professor Will
liams then suggested that the treaty
have n blanket provision that all tier
man propcrty in China should b" turned
over to China and that any rights taken
from Germany by Japan should be re-
turned to China within on" year.
Later the expert advisers OF the
British. French and American delega
ticns Joined in memorandum SAYING
that transfer of the German Shantung
rights to Japan would be the more DE
s;rohle of the two courses suggested
Professor Williams and McCiaN.
british expert. joined in mcmoran-
dunn saving China ought not be com
pelled TO accept either Alternative
Fears Labor Provisions
The labor provisions of the peace
troatv fail to cope with threatening
labor evils and point toward program
which may disturb the domestic peace
of tbe United States, Senator Thomas
Democrat. of Colorado, declared in
speech today in the Senate" lie 'A
messed grave doubt whether that sec
ton of the treaty could be accepted
under the constitution.
The international labor conference TO
be set up, Senator Thomas declared
would be an important part of the
league Of nations. though the provisions
creating it are not included in the league
covenant.
J .'Inssmuch as organized labor cor
rectly speaks of itself as a class.
said the Colorado senator, lit is entirely
appropriate 10 say 'hn' " II" ,;N.i.at
TINS program IN 'he ue"''' 49,
recognition ana sePuIa'r VI e",' .-'' =
are given to d class. To enthronc
class whether by re'olu'lon OF os '''"''
is but TO estrange other cl"HS'S'
Forces Lower Standard
.,. ssih1o 70 ro,cb tho goal
niaS t.; tt'a oonditiore of labor
',ant;o, ,,.hotbor II con bn done
.Lo ~, ,ol;ur +bo standard
- -. ,d io,,oI;nr down to II
..s.~;at ,;fa,it,, :, world labor
s;.;a ', ho ct.oinod oniy ot tbe
anso of tbo Anoricon ayc.oarunr
] cannot avoid the conclusion that these
articles designed lor MS PhHslCa' un'
spiritual Improvement may make nj"
the equivalent OF 'he c"ntipeh'a' wage
Garner.
heferrlhg 10 the provision 'hal th'
credentials oil delegates TO IN" lnterna
tional conference may oe passed upoi
by the conference l's"h H'ha'o
Ihomas continued
tersonalE 40 NOT ilh' 'oV'hah
which SUBJECTS the selection OF hlgn ON
ciais oy the government OF the 'nlte'
states ior the dlScharge OF lmportah
ln'efnatioha' iuuct'ohS 10 review an
possible rejection by an external au
thorlt!' iue trtn'S mus makes II"
h'eience substitute LOT VI a SupP''