The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1919-08-20
.BORAH AND JOHNSON
STAND PAT ON TREATY
WESTERN SENATOR'S DECLARE
CONFERENCE TUESDAY SHOWS
THEY WERE RIGHT

WASHINGTON-S Johnson,
California, and Borah, Idaho, republic
ans, declared in statement last night
that upon the facts developed at the
White House conference yesterday the
position they had maintained Sin re-
spect to this covenant of the league of
nations is justified and confirmed"
''The league of nations as construed
by the president" they said, "leaves
it clear and unmistakable that when
we enter it we are under compel
ling moral obligation to say moth
ing of the legal obligation which
other supporters contend we are un-
der, to take part in the disturbances;
the conflicts, settlements and the
wars of Europe and Asia, if any
should arise, and it is equally true
that under his construction Europe
would necessarily be under the same
impelling force to take part i'll the
settlement of American affairs
The senator's said that in their
opinion the significant facts devel-
oped by the interview with the presi-
dent were: There yet remain treat
les of neaee to be made with Aus
tria, Hungaria, Bulgaria and the OF
toman empire. These treaties deal
with subjects as important, territory
as extensive and matters as intimate
ly affecting the United States as the |
treaty with Germany. The obliga-
tions OF the United States, therefore,
that are assumed in the future can
not be determined until these treaties
are completed and presented to the
United States senate.
"The president regards the obliga-
tions which will be assumed under
the league of nations and particularly
under articles ten and eleven as NOR
al obligations. These, however, are
Of compelling force and would re-
quire action upon our part. For in
stance, the president comedies that in
an undoubted case of aggression from
The Balkans upon the newly acquired
territory of Italy, it would be our
duty to come to the assistance of
Italy and prevent such aggression.
''The presidents construction of ar
Llcle ten is at variance with the con-
struction of the democratic attorneys
Of the senate.
"a moral obligation, the president
insists, rests upon us to carry out the
,erms of the various treaties of peace
This moral obligation, the president
states, requires us under the German
reaty for fifteen years to maintain
American troops in Europe.
"The president did not know, nor
lad he heard of the secret treaties
or territorial acquisition and parti- !
ioning various territories until he
cached Paris. (Here the senator's ;
utlined the treaties referred to.)
The president opposed the Shan {
ung decision. 1t was officially con-
eyed to him that the Japanese would {
ot sign unless the Shantung rights
ere given to Japan. The United c
tates experts advised the president t
lat Japan's verbal promise to re- v
i'm the sovereignty of the territory i
| Shantung while retaining the eco C
omic concessions was a return of C
le shell of the nut by Japan while d
he retained the kernel The Chin e
Sc insisted the retention of the eco v
omic privileges meant practical SOW G
'eignty, but the president says he e
sagrees with this view. il
England, France and Italy adher- II
at the peace conference to their N
,cret treaties disposing of peoples G
Id territories in the Shantung case; n
erefore the president was the only tt
sinterested judge. The decision tt
,wever, was made unanimously.
"The United States asked China to tt
tier the war. The American COM d
ission at Paris urged that a definite
I'm of reparations be fixed in the la
eaty. Why this view did not pre- di
Ill, the president felt he could not ly
ate without divulging matters res cl
.cting other governments he felt he es
ould not divulge. For this. reason 10
could not divulge the vote upon CO
cial equality nor how the u. S. dl
mmission voted.'' cC
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