Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-10-15
Shantung Province Pact
Stirs up Strife 10 Senate
Row Over laps Intentions

Washington Oct. 14-Bitter feel
ing engendered by the peace treaty's
Shantung provision got close to the
boiling point again today in the Sen
ate.
Repeatedly during a fvehour de-
bate OF the Subject the gavel sound
ed TO bring order out Of a confusing
cross fire Of oratorical projectiies.
and once il was ruled that language
used had violated the Senates rules
by imputipg to Senators conduct un-
worthlng and unbecoming.
The declaration 10 which formal
objection was taken was made by
Senator McCumber. Republican.
North Dakota. in the course OF d
heated exchan ge with Senator Reed
Democrat Missouri. and had TO do
with charges that Japan was acting
in bad faith in the promise of her
statesmen to return Shan1ung prov
ince TO China
Japan was our associate in the
war" said the North Dakota sena-
tor, but ] know that now that the
war practically has ended. many sen
ators prefer 10 consider her as our
enemy. Germany seems TO be more
an object Of soHcitude than our
friends who helped US defeat Ger
many"
If the Senator means that" shout
ed Senator Reed. u want him TO
name the Senators to whom he re-
Iers"
Senator McCumber retorted that he
Senate chamber speak Tor them
selves, and when he declined to yield
TO further questioning by Senator
Reed the latter appealed TO the chair,
declaring loudly while Senator Nc
Cumber continued his speech, that
the language used had been unpar-
lamentary.
Sen-tor McCunber Republican
ms mhe- OF the foreign relations COM
n ttee. ". S speaking in reply TO Chair
man Ledge Of the committee, who had
just concluded prepared address sup
pCr-,ng tbs Shantung amendment ana
dt airing Japan was building in Chin I
an emp re N nacinE tn United States.
JapEn reientlesSly had broken her
lie ises and would con ,inue to 10 so in
fur herins her scheme FOR China's ex-
plli iCn. Mr.. Ledge asserted. In re-
plying Senator McCumber argued that
I g proposed amendment would be OF
10 avail because Shantung already was
in Jap I pose sion and alter .ng the
treaty would not change that posses
on. On the other hand. he said. the
League OF Nations would put the civ
ilIzed word with a grip upon Japan S
throat" 10 compel her TO make good
her PROMISES &C restore the province TO
China.
La e- Se-ator Reed made an extended
argument aealnct the league. asserting
that If I. had the powe- II force Japan
to give tack Shantung it certainly
would have The power 10 compel the
United States to do VIVA teve- it desired.
He argued that the league council AM
assembly would not he judicial bodies,
because every member would be an in
terested p-rty in any big world.
Senator Reed also engaged in n Sc
ries OF exc hanges with Senator Hitch
cock Of Nebraska. the administration
leader who challenged a number OF his
statements about the practical operation
OF he league. The collcquy reached y
climax when the Missouri senator mad ,
a passing reference TO the arms en-
largo bill which he said Senator Hitch
cock had introduced after the sinking
OF the Lusitania" well knowing that f
!. passed The Germans soon would be
pounding al the gates Of Paris"
The administration leader declared
the bill had been introduced in Decen-
Der, 1914, a. the first opportunity after
ment that il was after the Lusitania
sinking was a sample Of the reckless
statements" Senator Reed had been
making AL over the country" Later
Mr.. Reed showed the measure had been
reintroduced in December. 1915, and Sen.
aror Hitchcock said he never had apol-
og:zed for the bill and never expected
OF peace and neutrality.
No progress was made during the day
IN the reading OF the treaty text. nor
was and agreement reached for q time
to vote on the Shantung amendment
Tomorrow the Senate will meet m hour
earlier In the hope that several hours
may be given over to the reading.
though Senator Owen. Democrat. Okla
hcma. exrects TO speak at the outset OF
the session. Leaders thought tonight
that the amendment might come to q
vote Thursday.