AMERICA AND THE TREATY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 279, 21 August 1919, Page 5

AMERICA AND THE TREATY

PRESIDENT WILSON AT THE SENATE COMMITTEE THE SHANTUNG DISPUTE By ToleEi-ftßh—Press Assooifttioß- CopyrlKht (Kcc. August 20, S.-10 p.m.) Washington, August 10. President "Wilson continued that the United States could interpret the Treaty in any way it thought tit, so long us it was not inconsistent with the general of tho Treaty. The United States had complete freedom of choice as to tho application of force as applying to Article X. The obligation to go to the assistance of a country whose territorial integrity might 1)0 threatened was purely a moral obligation, not a legal one. Tho plan for tho League of JCations uliliiiate)y adopted was that drafted by General Smuts. Minor modifications were added. Mr. Wilson's own drafts were not pressed. Tho League of Nations, lie added, would prevent Japan from assuming sovereignty over Shantung if Japan attempted it. He entirely disagreed with the opinion that Mr. Lansing gave to tho Senate Committee to the effect that Japan would have signed the Peace Treaty irrespective of whether it contained the Shantung provision. Tho United States did not jwrticipate in tho German indemnity, because of the moral advantage non-participation gave the oountry. Claims such as tlio Lusitania, however, stood. President Wilson, in the interests ot the nation's good feeling, refused to answer how the American delegates voted on the Japanese racial equality amendment. The Shantung provision was inserted in view of British and French engagements towards Japan. It was the best that could be done in view of the circumstances.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

' THE NEW TRIPLE ALLIANCE (Sec. August 20, 10.40 p.m.) Washington, August 19. The Judiciary Sub-Committee of the United States Senate has reported that the Franco-American treaty, whereby the United States agreed to protect France against Germany, does not conflict with the United States Constitution.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

INEXPLICABLE DOUBTS ABOUT THE TREATY Washington, August 19. President Wilson at the Semite Committer emphasised, tlio enormous trado advantages that would accrue to Britain and France because of their early adoption of the Peace Treaty. The United States would lose the trade race unless tiho Senato acted. President Wilson said hb was unable to understand why Congress entertained any doubts about tlia Treaty.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.