New-York tribune., 1919-10-06
Senator Shields, Democrat,
Predicts Conflict for
L. :. If Covenant Stands
" ii h out Reservations
Transcription Inevitable"
johnson Amendments Fate
Up 10 Tennesseean and
Kellogg, of Minnesota
Neu York Tribune
II1shinOtOu H,tredu

Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Oct s. War within
a year if the United States enters the
league Of nations, as proposed to the
Senate. is the prediction of Senator
John r. Shields, of Tennessee, Demo-
crat. a member of the Foreign Rela-
tons Committee. Senator Shields, until
his statement to-day had been classed
by his colleagues of both parties as a
mild rescrVationlst.
The best opinion in Washington to-
night is that the Johnson amendment
hangs on two Senator's Shields and
Kellogg. While Mr.. Shiclds's state
ment does not prove that he will vote
for the Johnson amendment or any
other particular point in the treaty
fight. his assertion, which was con-
tanned in letter Just received in
Washington, delighted those fighting
for amendments and strong reserva-
tions, and is privately regar rded as a
catastrophe by Administration leaders.
After expressing his belief that the
United States would become involved in
war through membership in the league,
Senator Shields added that "the neces-
sity Of conscripting American boys to
tight the battles Of people strangers in
race. in religion. in language and IN
aspirations would be inevtable.
Constituent Commends Shields
The letter in which Senator Shields
expressed his views on the league was
written in response to a telegram re-
ceiVcd from Charles +. Hagan. of
Bristol. Tenn, in which Mr.. Hagan
said: Gwen though branded and
viiiicd as Republican, it is far better
to be an 'honest-to-G God American
anything. than an autocratic or Britain
Democrat. Your name will be
rcvercd for your bold and fearless
stand for the freedom and independ-
cncc Of American citizenship"
Senator Shields's reply to Mr.. Hagan
follows:
"I thank YOU for your telegram APP
proving my position concerning the
proposed league Of nations contained
in Article Of the treaty negotiated d
by the President with Germany.
'My conclusions IN regard TO this
matter were arrived at after careful
study and consideration, under the
sanction of an official oath and ac-
science and my hest Judgment and |
shall adhere to them.
"lhc questions involved are not po-
lltical but American. They have not
been approved by any Democratic con-
Vcntlon or other authority of the Dem
ocratic party, especially in public
duty am convinced by the truths Of
history and present existing conditions
that were VIC TO enter this proposed
league OF nations as presented to the
Senate the United States would be in
volvcd in foreign war within year,
and the necessity Of conscripting
American boys to fight the battles of
people strangers IN race, in religion.
~ language and in aspirations would
be inevitable.
II would be glad to contribute any
thing reasonable to abolish war and
secure peace upon earth. but ! can
not sacrifice American sovereignty and
the interest and lives of American
people for that purpose
Interest in Mr.. Shields's position is
the more acute at this time because
for the last ten days. the real question
on which no leader in the Senate
could tell the answer was what would
be the fate of the johnson amcndmcn,
giving tho United States an equal vote
with Great Britain in the league OF
nations assembly.
kellogg May Support Amendment
In connection with the action of the
Massachusetts Democratic State Con
Ventlon in Boston yesterday, which, il
is thought here. viii result in removing
all restrictions from Senator David |
Walsh so that he can vote his con
victions, the Shields statement as
sumes great Importance. 1t would seen
! to place the fate of the johnson
amendment ND to Senator Frank b
Kellogg. Of Minnesota. Mr.. Kellogg is
said by his friends 10 be in favor Of
the principle Of the Johnson amend
ment though he has believed it woulC
J be better if no teXtual amendment
should be adopted to the treaty ant