New-York tribune., 1919-10-10
.Shant14ng Stains
u. s., Says Walsh
Tells Senate Ratification
of the Treaty as 1t Is
Dru,un Is q Menace
Neto York Tribune
Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON, Oct. 9.-Senator
Walsh, Democrat, of Massachusetts, in
his first expression Of attitude on the
peace treaty, to-day assailed the parts
Of the document he terms undemo-
cratic and un-American, and declared
he would vote for protecting reserva-
tions. Senator Walsh said in part:
"The shantung provision of this
and advise the ratification of this pro-
vision in its present form would be,
as | view it, an act of national dis
honor. To sanction the secret agree
ments, entered into by nations which
were assumed to be believers in the
principle of self determination, de-
signing to despoil China of her con-
troll of an important part of her ter
ritory and population situated as STRAIT
egically as Shantung is, cannot be de-
Tended on any basis of justice or in
ternational honesty. Such step has
resulted in casting distrust and dis
credit upon the whole plan Of the
league of nations.
II can not subscribe to the casuistry,
however plausible, that peace can be
maintained by provision which sane
tions and legalizes the crime of Shan
tung, which has g proper place only in
secret treaties and underth table
diplomacy. 1t smacks of spoils, land
grabbing, and sows the seed of tyranny
and future wars.
"Article X Is capable Of SO many in
terpretations, vague and visionary. that
as it stands 1t is pregnant with the
germs of disputes, misunderstanding
and possible wars for the United States.
"The only solution, therefore, is to
remove any possible doubt as to its ap-
plication to the United States by res
ervation specifically stating the posi-
ton of our government.
For Specific Reservations
an approaching the question of the
effect of this covenant upon the rights
of submerged peoples seeking indepen-
dence, such as the people of Ireland,
ated by any feeling of animosity or
racial antipathy. breathe no hate.
seek no vengeance. | voice no racial
retribution. I am an American.
Just what is the attitude of Amer
leans of Celtic blood and their SYM
pathizers in regard to this covenant? :?
AS l understand it, and as | have been
fully informed, they are not opposed
to just league of nations Neither
do they seek in any way to involve
the United States of America in any
e
"In word, they ashland they have
right to ask-the United States
Senate not to ratify that part of this
covenant which many sincerely believe
puts an end once and for all time to
Americas ancient and historic atti-
tude toward oppressed peoples.
Demands Equal Vote
II cannot subscribe to any provision
in this covenant which will permit any
government to have more votes or more
influence in this league than the
United States of America. The least
that any American can accept is equal
representation for our country with
that of any other. | do not desire to
deprive the self-governing dominions Of
Great Britain OF repre- sentation in the
assembly provided for in this covenant,
but do most strongly object to Great
Britain, which includes England and its
dominions, having six votes to our one
vote.
"But this inequality of representa-
ton has very serious possible conse-
quence when we cons ider in this con-
nection the provisions of Article ".
Under that article it is very clear that
the six votes Of Great Britain in the
assembly might be very potent factor
in selecting the four non permanent
/ members OF INe council. IL is not AT I'll
/ improbable that the six votes of Great
Britain in the assembly, with such
outside support as she could muster,
would permit her to name and control
at all times a ajority in the council.
"Throughout this whole covenant, like
weaver's thread, is the scarcely vcilcd
purpose of Great Britain to dominate
the world through this league. Notice
even the clause providing that the Brit
ish-named secretary general shall rec
ommend his successor, in perpetuity.
1t has even been suggested that the