Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-10-18
THE SHANTUNG AMENDMENT

The amendment by which it was proposed to substi-
tute China for Japan. in the section Of the peace treaty re-
latins to the disposition of shantung has been defeated
by a vote Of SIS to IS. Notwithstanding the bitter debate
which has ragged around this provision, this result is not
surprising, nor was 1t unexpected. While strong claims Of
success have been made BY both parties to the controver-
sy, Washington dispatches generally have indicated the
almost certain defeat Of the amendment. and by a very
substantial majority. The vote, however, does not dispose
entirely Of the shantung question. Several of those who
voted against the shantung amendment are in favor Of
a declaration OF some kind expressing the sentiment Of
the senate in favor of the early return Of shantuns to
China Several proposals along this line are likely to be
made identical in spirit and differing only in detail. and
It is quite likely that something OF the kind will be adopt
ed, although not in the form of a treaty amendment.
The shantuns provision is not a part of the ~consitu-
ton OF the League of Nations. That document makes no
reference to the subject. 1t Is a part of the terms Of peace
between Germany and the other nations, and it is a little
difficult to understand just what the status would be if the
proposed amendment would have been adopted, and The
treaty as amended had been approved by a vote Of the
senate. BY the terms Of the agreement, Germany re1in.
qu!shes all the rights which she possessed in shautung
to japan. The treaty containing that provision has been
ratified by Germany on the one hand. and by France and
Great Britain on the other, ana Italy's ratification awaits
only what is universally believed to be the certain action
OF her parliament to make 1t complete. The treaty then
takes effect as between Germany on the one hand and
the three nations named on the other. If the American
version of the treaty we're amended, as has been proposed
and by any combination of circumstances Germany should
(sagn 1t in that form, Germany would be committed on the
one hand to reIinquishing her rights IN favor of Janan.
and on the other hand to relinqushing them in favor of
China. 1t may not make much difference to Germany.
but 1t is q little difficult to understand how. In the same
breath, she can tranEfer her rights to two. different parties,
We can not get away from the fact that the war was
one in which several nations were associated against Ger
many. They had a common grievance. They fought to
accomplish the same general object. They undertook
to establish peace together, to act unttedly in framing a
document to which they would all agree, and in which
they would unitedly hold Germany to the same set Of
terms. Obviously Germany can NOT stand committed to
one proposal with reference to some Of these nations ana
something entirely contrary In its agreement with the
other. The only way in which the proposed amendment,
AZ an amendment, could have been effective would be
for It to be accepted by all the other parties to the treaty.
That would involve reconsideration by Germany, France
and Great Britain, and By italy, all Of them major nations
which have already acted. and doubtless by the numer-
ous minor nations which have also signed ana ratified the
treaty. Under these circumstances 1t seems to have been
inevitable that the treaty should be defsated. A resolution
BY tho senate expressing IL conviction and desire that
Japan shall IN good faith carry out the program which she
has actua,iy asreed to carry out, viii be IN entirely df-
ferent matter.
EN@AI .