Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-09-11
SENATE MINORITY REPORT
DECLARES MAJORITY Wells
A MOST SINISTER intent
Sacrifice of German Conc essions, Making of sepa-
rate Peace Necessary Among Many Objec-
tions to Offering Amendments Now.

IIAdl4y upon LLle treaty AHIEdk DIAL-
ain has ratified it; France is about
to do so, and with the action of one
other power it will in all human
probability be in actual operation
even before the senate Of the Unit
ed States reaches a decision. More
over, the peace conference possesses
no further power to bring Ger
man representatives TO Paris" The
power of compulsion has been eX-
haustd. Germany was told where
to sign and when to sign, and when
to ratify and Germany has closed
the chapter by signing and by rati-
flying. Germany can not be COM
PEELED to do anything more or diff
ferent with regard to this treaty by
being confronted with an amended
treaty whether once a month, day
or week. There must be finallty
to ultimate in a treaty by compul-
sion. If an amended treaty is not
signed by Germany then It is in
none of its parts binding on her.
ITO adopt an amendment or to
reject the treaty means that the
United States will sacrifice all OF
the concessions secured from Ger
many by a dictated peace. While
these concessions are not SO large
as those which other nations as
sociated with the United States Sc
cure in reparations, they are never
theless of tremendous importance
and could only be secured under a
dictated peace.
Americas Sacrifices.
Among the concessions which the
United States would sacrifice may
be included In the following:
First. Germany's acknowledge
ment Of responsibility for the war
and her promise to make restitu-
ton for damages resulting from It.
Second. Germany's promise to
us in the treaty that she will not
impose higher or other customs
duties or charges on our goods
than those charged to the most
favored nation and will not pro-
hibit or restrict, or discriminate
against, imports directly or indi-
rectly from our country.
Third. Germany's promise to
us in the treaty that she will make
no discrimination in German ports
on shipping bearing our flag and
that our shipping in German ports
will be given as favorable treat
ment as German ships receive.
Fourth. That for six months
after the treaty goes into effect no
customs duty will be levied against
imports from the United States ex-
cept the lowest duties that were in
force for the first six months OF
1914.
Fifth. Germany's agreement
with us that the United States shall
have the privilege Of reviving such
Of the treaties with Germany as
were in existence prior TO the war
as we may alone desire.
Sixth. Germany's promise to US
to restore the property of our citi-
zens seized in Germany, or to com
pensate the owners.
Involves ssOO,OOO, 900.
Seventh. Germany's very I'M
portant agreement validating all
acts by the United States and by
the alien property custodian by
which we seized and proceeded to
liquidate $500. 100000 worth of prop
erty in the United States belonging
to German citizens.
that the proceeds Of the sale of
these properties may be used 10
compensate our citizens in Gar-
many if Germany fails to do so, OF
to pay debts which Germany or
Germans owe 10 American citizens,
or TO pay American pre-war claims
against Germany for property de.
stroyed ard lives taken similar to
the losses because Of the destruc-
tion of the Lusitania.
Ninth. Germany's agreement
that she will compensate her own
citizens for property, patents and
other thin.ss belonging to them in
the United States seized during the
war by our government
Tenth. Germany's agreement
that no claims can be made against
the United States in respect TO the
use or sale during the war by our
or by persons acting
for our government, of any rights
in Industrial, literary or artistic
property. including patents
Eleventh. Germany's agreement
that the United States shall retain
over 100000 tons of German ship
ping seized in American ports,
which more than compensates us .
for shipping lost during the war.
Twelfth. We would lose our
on the reparations
committee. which viii be the most
powerful international body ever
created and which will have enor-.
nous control over The trade and
commerce of Germany with the
rest of the world for years to come.
1t not only supervises the use of
German eco mic resources and
the payment of reparations, but 1t
can restrict or expand Germany's
imports and distribute much Of her
desirable exports, including dyes.
In no way can ths United States
assure itself against discrimina-