The sun., 1919-08-27

treaties that pledBed the Entente POW
ers to support Japan's demands in
China.
Attacked for Views.
Senators Borah (Idaho) Norcis
(Neb.o and Fall IN. NJ, took advan-
tage OF the opening. and most Of the
days session was devoted to a series
of Tits, in which McCumber, prsc-
ticaily unsupported even from the Demo-
cratic side. insisted with much heat on
his Views
The North Dakota Senator opened
with a set speech. during which he
asked that he be not interrupted. His
argument concerned the acquisition by
Great Britain. France, Italy and Ger
many OF special concessions In China
In the past, insisting that they all got
them because they were able to make
a show Of power which China could not
match. Japan went further In treat
ment of China, because besides getting,
through the peace treaty. the assent Oh
the other nations, she also by the treaty
of 1915 with China gained that countrys
consent.
He charged that the real purpose OF
all criticism of the treaty Ii to destroy
1t. and said:
81 have no quarrel with or criticism OF
those who are opposed to the League OF
Nations, as to the methods they may
employ to bring about Its demise. Their
purpose Is death and they are pursuing
what they believe to be the surest way
to effect that purpose IL controlled by
overpowering prejudices they are willing
to take the chance of another such
awful catastrophe upon the plains OF
Europe, the land of our fathers, rather
ho hax tni "a ElNrnnaQn POwar9
to prevent It. or II guided by their rea-
son they really believe We are surrender
ing anything we ought not to surrender
for such a purpose, they may md a
satisfactory reason for playing the role
of Brutus driving the shining blade Into
the heart OF Cesar. Not that they love
world peace less, but because they love
American freedom of action more.
But as one who does believe In the
League of Nations to maintain the
peace OF the world, and who does be-
lieve that there Is not a single sover-
eign power surrendered or a single right
withheld that ought not to be withheld
for such a blessed purpose, 1 regard 1t
as my. duty to do all in my power by
word and by vote to prevent the conf
mission Of the homicidal purpose Of this
amendment.
hDOW lnty uCClhEc that thio WOohN
will not be fatal. but know that the
dagger is poisoned. and IL the poison OPP
crates as they expect II to II does mean
death to the treaty.
zone Honorable Course.''
There is but one honorable. upright
and proper course to be pursued by all
the great nations of the world. includ-
ing China and Japan. Let China keep
her treaty; give Japan an opportunity
what she has pledged her national
honor to do cease this attempt to Jug
gle this country into war with Japan
defeat this proposed amendement, which
arrogaies to ourselves the right TO an
null a treaty between China and japan
and sets at naught treaty made dur
ing the stress of battle between our CO.
belligerents and Japan before we en-
tered the war; bring Japan and China
into this world league, and as sure as
the sun shall rise tomorrow Japan will
keep her plighted faith. China will re-
ceive complete present justice and as
sured future protection.
"On the other hand. force this breach
of contract by China, drive Japan out Of
this league by insulting her honor, re-
lieve her from her treaty by first break
ing II yourselves and thereby installing
her in her impregnable position OF right
of conquest and China Ii doomed. The
other European nations cannot help her
because they are tied to their own
treaties and you will not make war on
Japan to help China after she has
broken her treaty.
III these be the friends OF China, then
God save China from her friends"
Mr.. Borah opened the general attack
on the argument by Mr.. McCumber.
when It was first known that Shan
tung had been granted to Japan" he be-
gan, there was none to defend the
transaction. None OF the American
delegation to Paris pretended to defend
IL; none of the strongest advocates CO
the league and treaty have done So save
by insisting II was the only course to get
Japan's adhesion to the league. Three
OF the American peace commissioners
protested It: the President declared It
unsatisfactory to him. All agreed.
seemingly, that It was unjust. unfair and
immoral The President on his return
admitted that some things were lmpos-
sIbie of just settlement
80 to-day we have heard the first
defense OF the transaction on the grounds
of Justice and morals. OF that I shall
say a little. speaking from documents
that will not be questioned. ] want my
own country 10 2VOlu ODURatlOns unOet
this vicious and immoral arrangement
The President indicated that he yielded
to IL only because by making this con-
ces xion he could gain n greater good In
the establishment OF the league. I car
see how ne felt. But nobody will at.
tempt to justify 1t save as matter OF
expediency."
German Rights Ended.
Here Mr. Borah noted that newspaper.
most lusty In support of the treaty ano
league had bitterly condemned the be-
trayal OF China.
THE truth is" he continued. that al
| German rights in Shantung ended thu
moment China declared war agains
Germany. After that Germany owned
nothing to be transferred to Japan. i
was everywhere insisted that the United
States could not afford 10 indorse anC
underwrite the Shantung settlement 1
was insisted that r matter OF simple
morals, not opinion, was involved.
Before he went to Paris. the Presi
dent insisted that in the settlement o
the world there could be no place 10
immortality and injustice. He said w
had used great words-right and justic,
and must act on them. And why dIt
we not?
'Three hundred years OF history SHOW
| that the wars OF each century had thei
roots In the seeds sown In Just such set
! fIarnAnfa az this IN nraCaAiDR capturiesl