The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-07-18
SAYS PRESIDENT
IS WORRIED OVER
SHAN UNG ISSUE
Menaces Ratification of
Treaty More T h a n
Any Issue Yet Raised.
NO GRAB DEFENSE
Taking Of Territory from
China Not Justified on
Any Moral Grounds,
Asserted.
NO GRAB DEFENSE
tBy JUSTIN McGRATH.o

W h n ct n, July IT,
President Wilson is worried over the
EhAntung issue He. has good reason
TO be. 1t menaces the ratification Of
the treaty more seriously than any
issue~heretofore raised. That is ad-
nlitted generally by supporters OF the
treaty.
They have been unable to make any
good defense OF Japans grab. They
admit taking of this territory from
China who stood loyalty by the allies
during the war cannot be justified on
any moral grounds. The only excuse
that is offered for tho provision which
sanctions the seizure Is that Japan In
sisted on the cessation as her price of
remaining In the league.
The Republican majority In the SEN
ate does not believe that price should
be paid. They appear to be determined
that at least the United States shall
not be made party to the bargain.
Tho threat Of possible war with
japan does not frighten them. II that
II the challenge Japan means to give
this position they are confident they
Will haze the support Of the American
people. his confidence Is based on
these considerations:
ACQUIRED BY THEFT.
l. Tho German rights In Shan
tung were acquired by robbery.
,. China having fought Germany's
German rights In China should
have reverted to her.
.. The fact that tho Japanese
ousted the Germans from shan
tung gave them no more right or
title through conquest than tho
French or British acquired to the
territory Of Belgium from which
they ousted the Germans,
I. The action Of Japan in forcing
an ally through military menace
TO cete her the German rights by
treaty was not an action which
ought TO commend the tndor sement
OF the other allies and tho United
States
s. The stripping Of an ally Of
her territory to buy the good will
Of 4 power that seeks to dominate
that nation and its people would
not only be shockingly vioiative
Of the purposes for which tho
United States went to war, but
would be an act OF unparalleled in
fanny.
s. Endorsement OF the seizure
would be in sad contrast with the
previous history of the United
states all OF whose wars have
been to right wrongs OF its own
and foreign peoples and never to
underwrite them
MORAL ISSUE.
Tho president Is said to realize that
the opponents OF ratification have a
moral issue in the Shantung ques-
ton Knowing how the people are
quickly swayed by moral issues. he
10 said to he apprehansiye- that the
campaign which the opponents Of the
treaty expect to wage along this line
may endanger ratification.
It was thought most significant that
the Republican senators whom he in
vited to the white House for confer
cnce today were those who have indi-
Gated an intention to favor the league
Of nations
The Invitations for tomorrow being
cnly to senators who also have mani
tested friendiess to the league of ma
tons plan. they created the impress
SION that the president is seeking to
secure the requisite number Of votes
for ratification without material reser
vations.
whether or mot he will succeed in
this effort may depend. principally on
the response the people of the coun-
try will give to the Shantung issue
after 1t ia thoroughly explained to
them by senator's opposed to the treaty
when they make tho speaking tours
Of the country now being arranged for
+ than