Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-09-12

@UCClNCIL1 anu peyonu. Po"0A VI e~
saying, President Wilson went to the
~ heart of the Shantung issue, as far
"a America ia concerned, when he told his
Des Moines audience that however much we
may dislike the present disposal OF that
question we can gain nothing for China nor
ourselves, nor for the cause of world peace,
by rejecting the Treaty and so making I'M
possible League of Nations.
japan Joined the Allies at junctute when
thew much needed her aid, upon the promise
of England and France that If she would
clear the Pacific of German power she should
have such Chinese concessions and domin-
ions as Germany then held. It were boot
less to debate at this time whether that
promise was well or unwisely given, for
when nations are at grips with powerful
and ruthless foe they cannot be expected
TO look before and after with the
judicial keenness or ethical nicely
which calm times permit. That Germanys
ninety-nine-year lease in Kiao Chow, which
is a small coastal strip of the great province
of Shantung, had been obtained by highly
questionable methods was known to France
and England just as it was known to the
United States. But the fact stood that this
privileges, had been consummated some
twelve fifteen years beforehand been
contaminated, we may pert1nently recall, I'M
der the eyes of a Republican administration
at Washington (Senator Lodge himself then
being power in the Foreign Relations Com
mittee), without syllable of protest from
our Government Thus the concessions which
Japan was promised were only those which
Germany had held unchallenged. And
suredly Allied victory with Japan in Kiao
Chow rather to be chosen than Allied
defeat with Germany in Kiao Chow.
This was the status Of the case when
America entered the war and later when she
took her place at the peace table. 1t was
difficult situation for President Wilson and
the other representatives of the United
States. They thoroughly disliked the idea
of turning over Chinese territory to Japan.
But there stood the incontrovertible record
that this particular piece of territory had
been held by Germany under lease and had
been promised upon the same terms to Japan.
England and France were honor bound by
their pledge. Japan made it clear that if
her claims thus grounded were not sustained
she would break away from the conference.
Mr.. Frank Simonds, who surely can be count
ed upon to be anything but partisan for the
President, wrote of the situation in this wise:
HAD he at this juncture refused to consent
to the Shantung proposal, he believed, and
those about him who indicated by their ex-
pressions what his opinion was believed,
that the whole League of Nations project
would be lost, that Japan and Italy would
make common cause in the conference and
the result would be a collapse Of the League
OF Nations plan as a whole" What the
president did do, however, was to obtain as
surances that Japan in due time would re-
store to China the territory in question, re-
serving only such concessions or rights as
other nations enjoy. And it was with this
understanding that the American delegation
at last assented to the so-called shantung
clause.
To those who insist that this was not
enough, Mr.. Wilson now says,
Very we'll, then, stay out Of the
Treaty, and how will that accomplish
anything? England and France are
bound and cannot escape that obliga-
ton. Are you going to institute war
against Japan and France and England
to get Shantung back for China? That
is an enterprise which does not COM
mend itself to the present generation.
L am putting it in brutal terms, but that
is the fact, and by that we would accom-
plish nothing for China"
But suppose ratify the Peace Treaty.
thus assuring League of Nations with it's
vast potency of moral influence. a League
Vouchsafing justice to weak and powerful
aHke-wOuld we not then have done China
substantial service? Senators who have de-
Veloped so sudden a soIicitude over Chinese
sovereignty would show wiser if not more
genlnue devotion to our friends in Shantune
by supporting the Treaty, expediting the es
adjustment of the League of Nations and
pressing for justice in that powerful court.