New-York tribune., 1920-02-28
Senator's Differ
o., Ad'iatic Notes
HitclicOck Praises Wilson
Stand; Borah Sees Ar-
g1naent Against League

! From The Tr ribune's Washingt ~, Bureau
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.-The COM
;nent of members of the Senate to- day
OF. t.se controversy between President
Wis and the Allied premlers on the
Adrigtic settlement coincide generally
with their attitude toward the peace
treaty. Opponents of the pact saw in
thc. PRESIDENTS threat to withdraw
from Europe over this question an ex-
amp.e OF European questions in which
the United States may get entangled in
the future and an argument against
Americas entry into the league of ma
tions. The Democratic supporters of
the Administration, on the other hand,
applauded the stand taken by the Pres
idcnt and insisted he had reesta blished
the fact that he was in charge OF the
foreign affairs of the United States.
Senator Hitchcock said that several
copies of the various Adriatic notes
were sen. to the Senate yesterday af-
ternoon fer the use of Senators. To-
day he put them in the record and
hsj them printed as public documents.
II think the President is on very
high ground and in a very strong posi-
tion," said Senator Hitchcock. at is
an absolutely invu ne ~ab e position, as
shown by the correspondence.
II believe the attitude of the Presi-
fent viii have a wholesome effect. Me
has demons trated abroad that The for
Ign affairs Of this country are III his
hands and not IN those of the ma
Jority of the Senate. 1t is made ap-
parent that the nations concerned can
rot ignore or flout him. The Presl-
dent made IL plain that the conten.-
plated action Of. the Allies vii! be used
as AN argument against the league of
nations"
Shows Conflict of Ideas
Comment of other Senators follow:
Senator Borah, OF ldano Lloyd
George practically, in so many words.
said, "ff you do not exclude the ques-
tion of the freedom of the seas there
will be no league Of nations" Clemen-
ceau said: "lf you 10 not give me my
reparations scheme there VIII be no
league of nations Baron Maxine
SAID: "if you do not give me Shan
tung there VIII be no league OF ma
tions." Tie President now says: IF
you do not conform to the Adriatic
plan 1 propose there Will be no league
OF fatlons." In other words, the league
OF nations binds no one except those
who are strong enough when they
make bluff to make it good 1t is
like all other leagues, it is binding
upon the small nations and utterly
without force or effect as to the large
nations.
This controversy ought to be care
fully studied by the American people.
because it demonstrates that Europe
does not propose either now or here
after to accept the principle of the
tourteen Points or to accept the
American principles of peace at all.
Whether the President gives way or
whether Lloyd George gives way, or
whether. which is most likely, thev
Viii adopt some plan which will ac-
complish the same thing and both an
pear to stand pat, the controversy dis
closes that the European idea of in
ternat.onal affairs and the American
idea of international affairs are
wholly and everlastingly in conflict.
Emphasizes Article X Issue
Senator Lenroot. Republican, of Wis
consin-Ihe Presidents concern over
we Adriatlc situation ought to remove
aiA possible doubt as to the necessity
Tor our reservation on Article X There
are other situations which NAV arise
over which we may have no control.
"n'cn would make the obligation i'm
posed by Article just as unconscion-
aD!e as the President thinks the pro-
posed settlement of the Adriatic situ-
alton. would be.
-, Senator Moses, Republican, of New
hampshire-lf the President is able
20 thrust US into such a situation be-
'vIe we are committed to the league
" natons, what would he not be able
70 do If we were in the league?
Senator New, Republican, of Indiana
Is unthlnkable that the situation
snouid arise in which the United States
government is placed in the position
oI assuming final authority in the dis
.rtoutlon or European territory with
""icn we nave concern. of ATTEMPTING
70 dlctate the fixing of boundaries Of
european countries with which we have
~ sh sn4u,d nave no concern That such
ssncuio De the present attitude of the
Gniteo States government must in
ovs.aoay involve as into perennial quar-
xete' the result and extent of which
can only be imagined. WHY"
M senator King. Democrat. Of Utah.
.ia PRESIDENT stated his position in
sI c",,a ar. ana convincing language. He
tisman. St' VI course. agree that a set
wsn m: m;., ue MADE which would in any
"uy v'oiate or tend ito weaken the
future operation of the league Of ,no na'
eions. If the settlement IN wh;nh U Va, a.
oo'ecsed were made it might be taken
az precedent in future for settl;nc
similar questions on the same basiS
senator Thomas, Democrat, of Colo.
Inc Adriatic Developments con
stltute an excellent illustration of the
REesS series OF issues with which we
would become involved it we shonlS
enter the league of nations. foreign te
ns. to our traditions and interests. As
the one disinterested great power. anc
rs the greatest nation in the world IL
would be inevitable that we would be
called upon constantly to arbitrate
these differences of the Old World. No
matter how justly we decided. the de-
feated party would become an ay
yTieved party, and we would bear the
burden of his grievance. 1t is we'll
that we should be reminded now Of
this fact. for I predict that in not
ve stant future We will realize that
this Fiume incident vas a providential
@eaQa Of ipQxasaiu1 ua with tha In