The sun., 1919-09-14
FACTS MAKE ISSUE,
JOHNSON ASSERTS
California Senator Replies in
Kansas City to Presidents
Address There.
TEARS LEAGUE AsUNDER
Shows Perpetuation Of Arma-
ments and Other Weak
pesses of Covenant.


johnson OF California told large audi
ence at Convention Hall tonight that
the facts made issue with President
Wilson's plea for immediate ratification
Of the peace treaty unamended
"It is difficult to think that the Presi-
dent spoke otherwise than ironically In
much that he said to you here in Kansas
City" said Senator johnson. His
opening sentence was: I came back
from, Paris bringing one of the greatest
documents of human history. One of
the things that made 1t great was that
II is penetrated throughout with the
principles to which America has devoted
her life.'
'sThe facts, the inexorable facts, make
the issue with Mr.. Wilson. The Amer
ican principles to which we were de-
voted, and which he so eloquently
voiced, open covenants, freedom of the
seas, guarantees of reduction Of ma
tional armaments, impartial adjustment
of colonial claims, destruction of every
arbitrary power, self-determination, no
special alliances, Justice to the weak. no
people to be handed about from sover-
eighty to sovereignty as II they were
property, no territory to change hands
except for the happiness and liberty OF
its people, were one by one sacrificed to
Old World diplomacy and the secret bar
gains of our cobelligerents.
Secret Treaties Perpetuated.
The treaty in its dealings with terri
tories and peoples simply rewritee the
secret treaties of which the President
: says he never heard until he reached
Paris. Is it necessary to deny that the
Presidents treaty, observing and care
fully following unconscionable secret
treaties of which he knew nothing, is
'pentrated' throughout with the princl-
pies to which America had devoted her
lifef
..Nor M this all. We know from the
admission of all parties, including the
President, that the other American peace
delegates protested against the infamy
of the Shantung decision, and yesterday
the testimony of Mr.. Bullitt. one of the
Presidents appointees at Paris, clearly
indicated the adverse opinion of the pres
ent treaty. His remark that Secretary
Of State Lansing said the American peo-
pie never would accept 1t II they knew
It's contents, is significant and ominous,
The Presidents enthusiastic exclamation
about the great document and its pene-
tration with American principles was,
perhaps, not intended to be taken Sc
riously. The facts-the inexorable facts
make the issue with Mr.. Wilson.
again to you the President said We
want disarmament, -and this document
provides In the only possible way for
disarmament by common agreement
They promise disarmament and promise
to agree upon a plan But what the
President should have added is what is
admitted by all that disarmament under
the League of Nations is wholly op-
tional Great Britain has refused to
surrender one jot OF her supremacy of
the seas or her naval armament. There
is no disarmament provided for by the
league. The league may simply sug-
gest disarmament but compliance with
the recommendations is optional with
the members
"A pathetic and eloquent plea for
Armenia was made to you, an appeal
which touched the hearts of all OF us.
And yet, Armenia is neither touched
nor mentioned in the German treaty.
The Turkish treaty dealing with the
subject is known alone to Mr.. Wilson.
He has in writing refused to give the
American people or the United States
Senate any information concerning 1t.
other Forgotten Peoples.
"Mr. Wilson in the exaltation of the
moment forgot the Egyptian deiegats
arrested and detained at Malta until he
had recognized Britain's new protect
crate over Egypt. He forgot our allies
the Chinese. begging and imploring for
the Justice he had promised them. He
forgot Persia, protesting, taken over
almost in his presence by Great Brit
ain. He forgot Ireland, suffering under
centuries of oppression, knocking at his
door and begging only a hearing from
the men who were creating his New
World order. The facts. the inexorable
facts. make the issue with Mr.. Wilson
"In his peroration Mr.. Wilson ex.
claimed: 7 have come out to fight for
a cause. That cause is greater than
the Senate; 1t is greater than the Gov
ernment.' We, too, you andTI !, are fight
ing for a cause, but the cause is not
greater than the United States 1t is the
United States.
Last night, for the first time. the
President attempted a justification OF
the provision OF the league giving Great
Britain six votes, while the United
States has but one. He says In effect
that the disproportionate voting power
is OF no consequence because each vote
In the council has a veto. Any matter
OF dispute in the council may by either
party be removed to the assembly. In
the assembly hall members vote, except
those who are parties TO the dispute.
suppose Japan and the United
States in controversy finally come to the
assembly of the league. There, both
Japan and the United States standing
aside, Britain. with her offensive and
defensive alliance with Japan, which
both countries insist will be in full
force Notwithstanding the league, will
cast six votes. And while the coun-
ell requires a unanimous vote, the as
sembly, exclusive of the members OF
the council. requires for action but-a
majority vote.
Where PreDonderance Counts.
But the influence of a preponderancs
OF votes often may turn the scale. Take
the familiar example Of our juries, where
unanimity Is required. Suppose upon A
jury six votes are one way, one another.
the remainder impartial. It requires no
argument to demonstrate the power o.
the six
THE lveto power, too. is not such a
potent weapon as the President suR-
gests. At Paris in the Peace Conference
any one of the Big Five had that veto
and a unanimous decision was required.
Nevertheless the Shantung decision was
rendered. and apparently was easily OBJ
tanned by the four who decided II against
the one, our President protesting.
There Is neither defence nor justin
cation for giving Great Britain six times
AZ ruany votes as the United states
II was simply an additional instance
when the practical diplomat got what he