Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1919-10-18
THE shANTUNG v0TI
MEANs.

HE nrst real test vote on the treaty
has been taken by the senate. 1t
presents = defeat for the foreign re-
ION committees amendment to the
kntune clause in the pact. personally
sented by Senator Lodge. The &C
h Of the senate. the vote recorded
u the swinging Of fourteen Repub-
ans to the Democratic side Of the
per house In congress means but one
Disqualification Of the treaty the
biss made with Germany, with reser-
eiens.
t ID true that the minority side
the senate lost three votes, those
Democratic senators who went over
the ranks of the Republicans, but
Republicans gained sufficient to
sure definite and positive defeat Of
> amendment. The relative strength
prefore, for and against the amend
Int stood, So to 55, leaving safe
hrgin OF 20 votes. which Of course
ks more than amply sufficient.
There were in reality six amend
ents voted upon, the foreign rela-
bn committee having proposed COM
ete change in the meaning and in
hit Of the Shantung clause, by substi-
hing therein at six different places
ke name of China" instead of
bnpan." The amendments were de-
kted and voted upon collectively. 1t
ms the purpose of the foreign rela-
on committee to annul the effect OF
his clause by transferring jurisdic-
on over the Shantung province from
hpan, as provided for in the treaty
nd agreed to by the other powers. to
hina.
The Shantung provision has been
booted one ever since the fight opened
b the treaty and forces gathered to
revent it's ratification. The opposi-
on maintained that the treaty clause
rovided nothing more nor less than
he theft Of great province inhabited
v the Chinese which rightfully be-
bngs to the Chinese empire, and pre-
enting it to Japan. Germany was
eded certain rights in this province
" the Chinese, but lost them when
he lost the war. Those WHO defended
he clause claimed that Great Britain
Ind Japan, together with other pow
rs. entered into an agreement, prior
b the entrance of the United States
INTO the war, to give Japan temporary
Possession of the German rights II
bhantung, II Japan would enter thu
War on the side of the Allies. Thi:
Japan did. They further held that thi
was an agreement over which tn
United States had no control and wa
bot party to, and therefore, Will
they opposed the policy involved. tn
Emitted States was powerless to act
ervation will be approved by the sen
hte setting forth the views of tn
Emitted States that, while it ratifies.
iess not approve the principle.
The Fall amendments, SO in all. pro
losing to take from this country, rep
fascination on the many importan
commissions provided by the treat!
were defeated some time ago. wit
the disposal of the six Shantun
amendments, there remain but tw
more presented by the foreign relation
committee to be voted upon. The or
Relating to our representation on til
RESERVATIONS committee was also d.
eeated. The other two really presei
|shs main contention that has come i
over NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Of II
voting power In the league Of natior
| assembly. The intent of these amend
ments Is to place the United Stat
| on an equal footing with Great Britai
| IL OelUB ClAlLIcu that tHc idttCT ia
| ak votes. against our one. Involve
| In this issue IL the question Of Il
| status of the British possession
Champions Of the treaty provision as
stands holds that Canada and Il
other so-called colonies of the Britt.
Empire are independent. self-govern'
commonwealths and have right to Oh
vote in che assembly. Those oppose
assert the British Empire must be col
sidered collectively and as one countr
| entitled to but one vote thereby placil
It ON q parity with the United STATE
During the prolonged debate over t
ehantung amendments there we
many excellent arguments advanc
for and against, and we regret to 81
some absurd statements such as t
one by the gentleman from Illino
senator Sherman. 'Tll vote for a,
amsndmsnt that comes along. consii
mt or inconsiDtant," he said. "A