Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-09-08
CALAMTOUS FUMBL|NG
SEEN BY 7. v. LAMONT
Banker Attacks Senate Attitude on
Treaty as Threatening to
Spread Bolshevism.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
NEW YORK. September s.-"Re-
rewed bolshevik efforts throughout
Europe, which will spread to America;
further chaos among the newer ma
tionalities abroad; starvation for mil
lions of persons in Europe during the
coming winter, and the probable fore
ing of this country to enter the league
of nations as a novitiate hand in hand
with Germany will result If the
United States Senate continues to de-
lay ratification of the proposed peace
treaty without change. Thomas w.
Lamont of Morgan & Co. predicts In
statement issued here.
Mr.. Lamont, who spent five months
abroad with the American peace COM
mission, serving as a member of the
supreme economic council, the inter
allied commission and as one of the
financial advisers to the United States
delegation, asserted that "the whole
world is crying for peace, for chance
to renew it's normal life and work"
He added that this country "by con-
tinued inaction refuses to grant her
consent to the settlements neces
sary.''
Fall in Exchange Rates.
Since it became evident to the COM
mercial world that the action of the
Senate might result in the notification
of the treaty there has been an
alarming fall in the rates of foreign
exchange" Mr.. Lamont said.
For this" he continued. mo rem
edy can be had as long as the delay
continues at Washington; no plan for
the extension of foreign credits. SO
ut.
port trade. can be evolved. 1t is hard
to conceive the attitude of mind that
insists upon such calamitous fun
bling with the most critical situation
that the world has ever seen. The
only explanation is that there is still
almost incredible lack Of understand
ing, both of the treaty provisions
themselves and of the manner in
which the affairs of the world await
Americas consent to peace"
Mr.. Lamont, who is member Of the
republican party, defended the course
of President Wilson in the negotia-
tons at Paris, asserting he had play
ed no politics. and had acted with
moderation, common sense and great
patience"
Charges that he had refused to con-
suit with members of his delegation
were characterized as untrue"
Sees No Perils.
Mr.. Lamont declared that 'close ex-
animation of the points which are
styled as dangerous by those senators
who desire to amend the treaty fails
to disclose any perils whatever"
Why reopen the whole peace nego-
tiations?" he asked. why let Europe
go from bad to worse while we are
discussing condition that does not
exist and that was never even con-
templated at Paris?
Minor though these points at issue
are, there is no reason why any one
of them should not be brought up, and
If need be clarified at the initial meet
ing Of the league Of nations in Wash
ington next October. We should ap-
preciate the covenant of the league of
nations is not a rigid. but mobile
instrument.
LAS to the main treaty. the clause
about Shantung is the only one excfr-
ing controversy. Well, nobody likes
that clause-President Wilson, as he
has intimated, as little as any one
else"
Mr.. Lamont urged that the United
States rely upon .Japan's good faith
and the league of nations to restore
Shantung to China.