The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1919-01-31
SENATORS ASSA|L
COLONIAL POLICY
BACKED BY WILSON
Lodge, Knox and Johnson
Denounce Any u. S. Ac-
tivitieS in Far East.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 3l.--Ropubli-
cans Of the Senate to-day sharply
attacked the plan for dealing with
German oolonic. and occupied terri
tories OF Turkey in Asia, which Il
was announced in Paris yesterday
! had been proposed by President VIII
! son and accepted in principle by the
/ Supreme Council. &,t
A despatch from Parfs this
afternoon announced there was
no intention OF sending any
American troops TO Turkey1
senator Lodge. Republican leader,
declared tho report OF the plan. which
he said would commit the United
states TO CO. operation IN maintain
ing order in the occupied territories,
was absolutely unbelievable. and
Senator Knox Of Pennsylvania as
serted that the proposed obligations
would involve "a stupendous and
prepostcrous undertaking"
Senator Johnson OF California de-
nounccd the method OF making pub
lie the proceedings at the Peace Con-
ference and declared he would never
vote for n treaty that provided for
the sending Of American troops into
Africa or Asia.
Senators Walsh OF Montana and
Lewis OF Illinois, Democrats, ex-
pressed doubt regarding accuracy OF
,hc statements In the dispatches. The
latter declared the reported plan
would violate the fundamental prin-
ciplc OF self-determination of peoples,
as applied to the German colonies,
and said ne believed the real agree
ment was merely for their temporary
administration by the League OF
Nations
Senator Knox raised the question in
discussing the probable future size OF
the American Army. Reading from
dispatches OF American correspond
cnts at Paris regarding proposed in
ternationaliZing the German posses
sions, he said no other conclusion
could be reached but that the Peace
Conference proposes that part Of the
| "trustcoship or guardianship" shall
be assumed BY the United States.
"Tf that is true. no army We could
possibly raise and no taxes We could
secure would be sufficient" said Mr..
Knox.
l,,,,,o. U.raa,,an 90 ufavIustnnt
Democrat. interrupted to ask " II
would be possible that the Senate
would ratify a treaty containing such
provisions.
Senator Lodge said he had felt
from the beginning that the import
ant thing for the Peace Conference
was to make a peace treaty with
Germany and let other questions go
over and allow American troops to be
returned home.
Now" he continued, 1--WE seem TO
have involved ourselves In serious
| difficulties with the Australians and
| the Boers OF South Africa, popula-
tlons with whom VIC have always
|
apparently We are going to under
take 10 watch over states composed
Of Hottontots and other folk. Our
first duty Is 10 make peace, which l
don't think is concerned worry much
with what happens in Africa. The
Senate Is kept very much in the
dark"
Senator Thomas OF Colorado inter-
rupted to ask II 1t was not ndis-
pensablc to dispose OF the German
| African colonies.
II think the colonies ought 10 bo
taken away from Germany" an
swered Senator Lodge warmly. I'VE
ought TO turn them over 10 tho peo-
Pile who captured them 10 make any
disposition they choose, but why
should We be charged with admins
terinE thcm?"
I'VE should realize II is most neccs.
sary 70 have open Negotiations and
open covenants" said senator BOrah
Declaring that disposition Of th,
German African colonies was not $,
simple as Senator Lodge seemed iC
suggest" Senator Walsh said Eng,
land, Belgium, Portugal and Franc,
had rival claims. Senator Lodge :c
piled that he had not heard ut any
resistance by these countries TO tn
plan reported in the press.
"But Australia and South Africa,
! Senator Lodge added, ARE resentinl
very much this attempt to take hes
d possessions ana put them under con
p troll of a League Of Nations and l.
= police them by the United States an
a other Powers.