Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 September 1919 — TREATY DELAY PERIL—LAMONT [ARTICLE]

TREATY DELAY PERIL—LAMONT

Financier Sees Calamity to America in Senate’s Fumbling. New York, Sept. 12. —Renewed bolshevik efforts, which will spread to America; further chaos among the newer nations abroad; starvation for millions in Europe during the coming winter, and the United States forced to enter the league of nations as "a. novice, “hand in hand with Germany,” if the senate continues to delay ratification of the peace treaty are predicted by Thomas W. Lamont of J. P. Morgan & Co. Mr. Lamont is a lifelong Republican and was one of the financial advisers to the American peace delegation. “The whole world is crying for peace, for a chance to renew its normal life and work,” he said. “This country, by continued inaction, refuses to grant her consent to the settlements. necessary.” “Since it became evident to the commercial world that the action of the senate might result in the nullification of the treaty, there has been an “alarming fall in the rates of foreign exchange,” Mr. Lamont said. “For this,” he said, “no remedy can be had as long as the delay continues at Washington;«no plan for the extension, of foreign credits, so necessary to maintain America’s export trade, can be evolved. “It is hard to conceive the attitude of mind that insists upon such calamitous fumbling with the most critical situation that the world has ever seen. The only explanation is that there is still almost incredible lack of understanding, both of the treaty provisions theimselves and of the manner in which the affairs of the world await America’s consent to peace.” President Wilson in the negotiations at Paris, said Mr. Lamont, had “played no politics” and had “acted with moderation, common sense and great patience.’’ Charges that he had refused to consult with members of his delegation were characterized as “untrue.” “Close examination of the points which are styled as dangerous by those senators who desire to amend the treaty fails to disclose any perils whatever,” he added. “Why reopen the whole peace negotiations?’’ he asked. “As tho main treaty, the clause about Shantung is the only one exciiing controversy. Well, nobody likes that clause, President Wilson, as he has intimated, as little as anyone else.” Mr. Lamont urged that the United States rely upon Japan’s good faith and the league of nations £b restore Shantung. to China.