The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1919-09-18
RECENT HISTORY

From the first there has been very little
division of public opinion concerning that
part of the peace treaty which relates
specifically to Germany. Before its text
was formulated many of our people fear
ed that Germany might be allowed to
escape paying the full penalty for her
crimes against humanity. When the
terms of the treaty were published al
most every one felt that she was to get
her deserts in full measure. Senator
Knox and few other Senators, as well
as several other prominent men, have
claimed that Germany can never meet
the requirements demanded, and propose,
for that reason, that the United States
should refuse to ratlfy the proposed treaty
and that this country shall proceed to
make a separate treaty, and that the
other beligerents shall do the same. Sena-
tor Knox has employed an able expert to
make a summary of the SESSIONS, re-
nouncements, UNDERTAKINGS, indemnities,
etc, which the treaty demands from
Germany This summary fills about "a
pages of the Congressional Record, and
after reading this with some care, we
fully agree with Senator Knox when he
saws Germany cannot do all that which
the treaty says she shall do We do not
however, agree when he says we should
throw this proposed treaty overheard and
make new one. If, as the Senator says,
the terms cannot be fully complied with,
they can be modified later. AS far as the
treaty with Germany goes President Will
son has not been and should not be criti-
cised We have had much discussion
which has shot wide of the mark and the
situation, until recently, has been viewed
from somewhat semi political view
point, Gradually we are turning to look
at it practically and sensihly. All our
people want peace treaty and the Shan
tung matter is the only bone of conten-
ton concerning the treaty, per Sc, and it
is not worth while to gnaw it any longer.
The treaty gives Japan what she asked
for. She W hold Shantung till she gets
ready to give it up. The blame, if blame
there be, rests on England, France and |
Japan. The debates in the Senate have
given Us the facts and we shall hear very /.
little more, at present, about Shantung
IN connection with ratification
The League Of Nations is now the i'm
portant question before the public for
discussion. The people of the United
States are as heartily in favor Of League
as thev are Of peace treaty as heartily
as IS the President, himself. We believe,
however. that large majority Of our
people fear that foreign made Covenant,
which ali must admit is TO be interpreted
and enforced by foreign tribunal OF au-
thority, WILL in its application, perhaps
in a large degree, mlita.e against the
safety and we'll being of this country.
The President is advocating the unre-
served adoption Of the foreign propo-
sition, while those who are opposed to it
IN its present form, are demanding that
the meaning of the proposed covenant
shall be clarified, and they declare that
some Of its specified requ rements are
inimcal to our best interests and there
fore should be modified. With this pur-
pose in view the Senate Committee has
reported four reservations to the Senate.
These reservations are SO prudent and
sane, so full Of the American independent
spirit, that we believe they will have the
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that they will be adopted and that the
foreign powers will accept them. The
reservations or amendments proposed by
the Senate Committee are, in substance,
as follows
Ito provide that the United States,
under the two years withdrawal clause,
may decide for Itself if it's obligations
under the league covenant have been
fulfilled, instead of having this deter
mined by the league council
2-That the United States, through
Congress, determine if its armed forces
are to be employed in wars arising out
of internal or external aggression, en-
croachment upon the territor al integrity
or political independence of members in
the league, or any other issue that may
arise between nations. This would pre-
ciude the league putting the United States,
against Its will, into any disp 1tes arising
under articles x and XII
3-Ihe In ted States reserves the right
to determine for itself all domestic Ques-
tons, sucu as migration, the tariff,
commerce and other matters, the league
council having no power to intervene IN
any dispute arising out of them.
The United States determines tor
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