Omaha daily bee., 1919-08-03
China and Japan

Omaha, Aug. 2-To the Editor
Of The Bee: The United States con-
gress is now facing the most i'm
portant question that has engaged
its attention since the declaration of
war against Germany. We are about
to lose all the glory we won in the
field by our inefficiency at the coun-
ell table. Mr.. Wilson took the lead
in debating the terms of peace, long
before the war ended; all the allies
approved them. even Germany ap-
proved them and does so yet. The
two Chef points of his 81 theses are
racial autonomy and the protection
of weak nations.
No sooner, however, had he and
co-laborers entered the council than
they became obsessed with a cow
ardly and dangerous expediency,
which reflected dishonor on the
heroes who sleep in French and Bel
gian soil.
What did we go to war for? Not
from fear of invasion, but from a de-
sire to help the allies, who were
being defeated, and save the world
from autocracy. We spent $30,000,-
900 and 100000 lives to save the
world to democracy, and then sur
rendered 100000 Cinnamon to
the rapacity of Japan. the only
autocrat left,
Mr.. Wilson pleads in vain that
Japan's rights are only technical
and temporary" We know it never
let's up on its victims. Look at poor
Korea under its heel, and holding
out its hands piteously for deliver
ance. Look at Manchuria, gradual
ly coming under the control Of this
land octupus. 1t may promise to
get out of China, but it never will
till forced out. 1t is another scrap
of-paper nation-its word is worth
nothing.
Poor England, France and Italy,
in imminent danger of defeat made
rash promise to Japan to create
a diversion in their favor, and their
hands are tied in the council Amer
ica is not bound by those treaties
1t had nothing to do with them
They thwart its supreme purpose in
going to war and 1t had better with
draw from the council than stultify
itself by going to war to free the
world and leave China in the hands
of Japan, the pest of the Orient and
the menace of the Occident.
If Mr.. Wilson had chosen promi-
nent senators and congressman as
his advisers, they would never have
submitted to such an argument; he
would not now be Inundated by the
rejection Of his treaty, which shows
that he misinterprets the temper Of
his own people.
England, France and Italy would
be glad to be relieved from a bad
bargain, made under pressure. If
the United States had insisted on it's
reputation or withdrawal from the
council, Japan would have been
obliged to give up its pound of
flesh"
If the American delegates had
stood up bravely and demanded that
Japan must give up Shantung or
fight the question would have been
settled then and there; now the con-
troversy will be prolonged by end
less diplomacy and finally be de-
cided by war. At the beginning Of
the council the allies were in fine
position to bring Japan to terms.
They had soldiers, sailors, guns,
ships, aeroplanes, ammunition and
supplies enough to surround with a
chain of battleships sufficient to
blockade and starve it into submis-
sion without the effusion of much
blood Japan must be chastised
sooner or later; better do it now
while we have the whip in our
hands. The world cannot disarm
till Japan Is put out Of commission.
Suppose Japan should insist an all
the Rock mountain and coast states
as condition of peace? What
would be the result? An immediate
resort to arms! Let us put our
selves in China's place. What was
the Panama canal built for? To
guard our Pacific coast Fro n
whom? From Japan! What are
we sending half of our great fleet
to the Pacific coast for? The verv
same purpose.
Let us get the dust out of our
eyes that we may see the issue
clearly. The league is to promote
world peace, Japan proposes to car
ry on world conquest. Japan can
not be in both. 1t must be put out
OF commission or there can be no
league of peace. The world is not
quite ready for peace. We can't
afford to lay down our arms while
an autocratic nation stands ready
TO pounce on weak neighbors.
nope congress will adopt the
treaty, after eliminating the Shan
tung article, and compel the council
to revise its work. If it should re-
tuse, let the treaty fail; that would
De better than to countenance an
unspeakabe outrage on an old
TREND and ally, as helpless now as
sort crab, passing from prehis-
torlc despotism to a magnificent
mooern republic. D. c. JOHN.