Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1919-10-17
The Senate and the shantune Amendment


1t was certain that the shantung amend
ment would fail That was really expected
from the beginning. While the spirit of the
amendment no doubt has the moral approval of the
American people and right thinking people every
where there are not many Americans who would
consent to give force to the amendment which pro-
posed to transfer China the province of Shantung
which by the treaty has been turned over to Japan
No more damnable outrage than that ever black
ened peace conference and the senate cannot ratify
the treaty without giving expression to its disap-
prevail in the name Of the American people of that
Infamous provision and the presidents assent to it
at Paris. But that better be accomplished by a
reservation than by amendment which can mean
nothing unless prepared and wish to en-
force it.
1t does not devolve upon the United States to
right all the wrong in the world. If we should set
out to restore to China her plundered province we
would be led to interfere in like India and
Egypt. We would have much business abroad
hat we would have time to devote to American
affairs. Such would be contrary to the
sentiment against our ENHANCEMENT in foreign al
lances and which forms the strongest opposition TO
our participation in League of Nations
1t is also doubtful whether the amendment of
Senator Johnson giving to the United States the
same number of in the league that it is pro-
posed to give Great Britain and its dominions can
succeed that amendment would probably have been
stronger it had proposed reduce the six votes of
Great Britain to one for the present proposal takes
no account of the fact that the amendment would
leave the other great powers in the league with only
vote each.
As to the objections Article 10 of the covenant
and there is the real sticking point the only one in
which as members of the league, we would have any
special concern such reservations as will certainly be
adopted if the treaty with the covenant is to be rat-
fled win meet popular objection. Such reservation
together with regarding withdrawal from the
league will give all the freedom of action under
the league we DESIRE and will amply safeguard our
sovereignty
These reservations may be only interpretative
but they will at the time constitute ample
tice to the other league members to what may be
expected of the United States a member regard
less of the language of the covenant.
There is nothing however, in the situation that
assures the ratification of treaty There are many
members of the who opposed, either open
~ or secretly to any League Nations; who do not
regard our ratification of the treaty as at all essen
tal 1t has been already sufficiently ratified give
force. The treaty is of absolutely material
Germ to the United States. It is that it gives
us the little Island of zap of which ten Ameri-
cans in a million had ever heard until we learned of
it through the treaty
We receive indemnity, territory and Ger
many is in way obligated to us by the treaty. We
stand in respect to it in about the position as
Norway, Spain, any neutral country except as a
party to the treaty, would be morally at least,
bound whether as league members or not to insist
that Germany should discharge her obligations to
Great Britain. France and Italy, all of which have
been gamers in territory and indemnities
Thus there are senators who why
we should participate in any world treaty which
imposes only obligations upon us, without compen-
sating advantages They believe that have al
ready discharged our duty to the world. None OF
them it is true has plainly and brusquely set
this view but nevertheless they entertain it and
would prefer the rejection Of the treaty its ratifica
ton however amended decorated with reserva-
lions.
Senators Borah and Johnson, the former
q eddy belong to this class. There others who
profess favor to certain amendments and reserva-
lions but who would not be disappointed if they
should be defeated provided there should thus be
created a sufficient strength to reject the treaty.