worn despotism in the stronghold of its power with the marshaled mind of a fearless people is a vivid vindication of the deathless truth which rises from the ashes of martyrs to immortality in the character of a people. The hopes of this generation glow in exultation of the two victories-the defeat of a foe's intrigue, and the conquest over its own betrayers. In 1914 the trustees of the Irish people, in an hour of grave decision, without casting one glance at the past, without asking one pledge for the future, threw down the fate, the freedom, and the good name of a whole race at the feet of the oppressor. But this generation locked upon the gigantic spirit of Ireland as it threw off the thrall of treason and in a single deed of heroism fling defiance in the face of power. We witnessed the miracle of a people who led themselves; who saw when their leaders were blind; who saw a living nation which held in the depths of its love the vision of its hallowed dead and formed the dream into a breathing image of splendor from its own blood and its own faith. We saw a nation save its soul when all seemed lost; a nation which snatched its honor in thunderous courage even from the lightning blast of shame. The elevation of sentiment, the noble sacrifice of precious lives, the devotion of millions to an immortal patriotism, the establishment of a representative government reflecting the public will not only called forth the ardor of Irish loyalty, but aroused the admiration of all mankind with its proof that eight centuries of usurpation had failed to make hewers of wood and drawers of water of the fighting race, showing that its unconquerable spirit was still unbroken, and that its defenders stood upon the soil of their country as free citizens defending their homes against foreign aggression, defending democracy to-day with the same valor they guarded their faith on the walls of Limerick.

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Resolved, That there can be no peace among men while Ireland's long war for freedom is unclosed by victory; no covenant binding the nations in a fraternal amity; no league of Governments worthy of the respect of honest freemen until we have a treaty that shall acknowledge its sovereignty. Any vaunted charter of human rights will be looked upon as a 'scrap of paper' if it bears not the name of the historic nation which has stood embattled against an alien rule of inhumanity, whose sons have wrought the charters of new states, and whose faith during the age-long epoch of human wrongs gave first a fiery meaning to 'human rights.' The rule of Ireland by England is an affront to the conscience of humanity-a feudal relic surviving from an age of barbarism, and exhibiting the degraded system of senile bigotry to a world reforming its society and purifying its constitutions from the taint of despotisms a system vanquished in Europe by four years of slaughter, and overthrown by the Continental Army during the revolution which freed America from the same enemy that has gripped the throat of Ireland so long and so cruelly. The instinctive feeling of hope that the reign of good will would come with the return of general peace has been rudely insulted, the belief in justice has been violated by the tribunal which heard the whisper of the breaker of treaties, but could not hear the clear call of the gallant land which has 'fought the good fight and which has kept the faith.'

"Resolved, That this convention pledge its aid in every effort made to achieve the full independence of Ireland; that our felicitations be extended to President Eamonn de Valera, of the Irish Republic, and that we officially petition the President and the Congress of the United States to grant recognition to Ireland as a free and independent nation. We condemn the illiberal action of the peace conference in denying a hearing on the right of Ireland to self-determination, and regret that America failed to protest against this rebuff to the representatives of the Irish Republic. For we are convinced that the judgment of the peoples of all free nations will decide that the political degradation of Ireland is a menace to that democracy for which the great war was won, and that the American people will extend their invincible and traditional sympathy to the new nation which has founded its institutions upon the model of the mother of republics; that her statesmen will realize the peril and the shame of ingratitude to a people whose sons and daughters have never stood back in the day of danger to this Government, and ask now but a requital of their loyalty that there may not be again a black spot on the map of a free world, but masters of their fate, and sharers in the security and happiness of just government-such government as that for which they have striven so fiercely in other lands and which they now have erected, after ages of bitter suffering, in their own.

"We recommend that the incoming national officers communicate forthwith with the members of the order, through State, county and division officers, urging the most earnest cooperation in the effort to win American recognition for the Irish Republicurging also that, as citizens of the United States, they support only those Senators and Representatives who stand openly for American independence and for the American system of self-government for all the peoples of the world, regardless of the race or creed of the oppressors or the oppressed.'

JOHN O'DEA.

(By direction of the chairman the following memorandum entitled "The case of Japan in the peace treaty," by Toyokichi Iyenaga, is herewith printed in the record as follows:)

THE CASE OF JAPAN IN THE PEACE TREATY.

By Toyokichi Iyenaga, Ph. D., professorial lecturer in the Department of Political Science, University of Chicago; director, East and West News Bureau, New York City, N. Y.

It is a very delicate matter for a foreigner to discuss an international question affecting his country, which has become the subject of controversy in the United States Senate. Having profound respect for American traditions, I would not dream for a moment to overstep the bounds of propriety. I am, however, confident that the American people love fair play and would like to hear Japan's side of the case, as told by one of her sons. I feel also, as a recipient of all the blessings of American education and institutions, it is my duty to do my utmost for the continued maintenance of amicable relations between America and Japan and for the harmonious development of their respective interests and welfare. It is with these convictions that this leaflet is laid before you.

JAPAN'S PART IN THE WAR.

The world has short memory of the past. It is already beginning to forget the sacrifices and efforts of the allied and associated powers and their concerted action, which have brought Berlin war lords to their knees. We stand on the threshold of peace. Shall we delay its dawn? Endeavors are now being made to minimize the war contribution of an ally and to win by tongue and pen, by intrigue and slander, what was achieved by the expenditure of blood and life energy. I am under no obligation to point this out by implication. To be frank, this is the present attitude of the Chinese agitators. True, compared with the stupendous exertions of the United States, Japan's part in the war was small. No self-respecting nation would want to brag of its performance in the world-wide struggle. Nevertheless, if we gauge the war situation with broad vision, Japan's contributions to the allied cause would, I trust, attain their proper dimensions.

Japan entered the war in obedience to the terms of the Anglo-Japanese alliance, which imposed upon her the duty of conducting military operations in common with her ally in the regions of eastern Asia and its waters. I hardly need to emphasize that the fulfillment of the terms of the Anglo-Japanese treaty was in perfect accord with Japan's national interests, for the German aggressive designs in the Far East were a constant menace to her security and welfare.

Japan did her work with energy and thoroughness. She destroyed at one stroke the German power in the Far East by the reduction of the fortress of Tsingtao; hunted out the enemy warships roving the adjoining seas; patrolled the South Seas, the Indian and Pacific Oceans, during the whole period of the war; convoyed the troops of Australia and New Zealand to the battle fields of Europe and Asia; cooperated in the Mediterranean with the allied fleets in their operations against the enemy submarines; prevented the filtration of German influence and spread of Bolshevism into East Siberia; guarded the Hawaiian Islands and Pacific coast against the danger of German raiders, thus liberating the American Navy to devote its entire energy to its arduous task on the Atlantic and European waters; subscribed to the allied loans to the full extent of her financial capacity; provided the Entente Powers with munitions and other war materials; placed many ships at the disposal of the American Government for the transportation of munitions and cooperated with it in every possible manner; and, finally, she stood ever ready to respond to the call of her allies in case of necessity. That she did not fight on the European battle fields was not of her choice alone.

The real significance of Japan's participation in the war will, I hope, stand in bolder relief if we let the imagination play a little and picture to ourselves the contingencies that might have arisen had not the Japanese army and navy been mobilized against the Central Powers. Would the channel of communication and commerce between Europe and the Orient, between America and the Far East, with all that its security means, have been as safe as it had been for the entire period of the war? What part of the allied fleets, in addition to those already dispatched, must of necessity have been withdrawn from the home waters to safeguard the road from Aden to Shanghai, to the great joy of Von Tirpitz and his coteries? Would not Germany, with her strong base at Kiaochow, have played a formidable rôle in disturbing the tranquillity of China, to the great detriment of the allied cause? Would not German propaganda, once so

active in stirring up revolt in India and in the Straits Settlements, have been some measure of success, to the prejudice of Britain's interests in her Asiatic dominions? In short, how was peace in the Far East and the Indian and Pacific Oceans, covering almost half of the globe, preserved during the entire period of the war and how were the interests of the Entente Powers therein safeguarded? I venture to say that Japan's allies during those dark days of the unsurpassed conflict took full cognizance of these facts and were not slow to give proper recognition.

DIFFICULT POSITION OF JAPAN AMONG NATIONS.

Would that Japan were blessed by bounteous Providence so that she could follow the example of America and forego of her own accord any material compensation for her war efforts. For full comprehension of Japan's position I would ask that Americans to detach themselves for a moment from their own standpoint, from the most favorable position they find themselves in. With vast dominion and unlimited resources at her command, the United States can leisurely follow the path of idealism which she has chosen. For her mighty efforts during the war, for the sacrifice of 300,000 of her sons, and the expenditure of billions of treasure, American asks for no material compensation, but is content with the consciousness of having saved France and civilization from the scourge of German militarism. Confident of her giant strength and of the unique prestige born of her moral greatness, American can now adaress herself to the new task of leadership in world affairs which has been thrust upon her as the outcome of the war.

The position of Japan is different. Circumscribed within a narrowly limited area, with scanty resources, and crowded with two-thirds of the entire population of America, Japan's problem of existence is not an easy one. Modern Japan, since her renascence half a century ago, had a hard, up-hill struggle to reach her maturity and present status. Only by dint of energy, perseverance, and patriotic sacrifices of the people has the Japanese nation succeeded in entering the ranks of the five powers. Under the circumstances, constant vigilance, careful husbanding of her resources, and wise safeguarding of the fruits of whatever efforts she makes, are essential to Japan's existence and to maintaining her present standing. Flanked by huge neighbors, whose weal or woe, strength or weakness, is bound to affect her own peace and security, Japan is facing an unparalleled predicament. Such a nation, however idealistic at heart, can not afford to spend its energy for altruistic purposes alone, and neglect to take every precautionary step necessary to insure its independence. The policy of self-preservation and of assuring the position she has attained is the one Japan is given to pursue.

Every experience which Japan has gained is a priceless lesson to her. In 1895 she tasted the bitter cup of being deprived of the best fruits of victory in the cestly war with China through the machinations of certain European powers, and not long aiter of witnessing these fruits slip from China's grasp and fall into European hands. Is it difficult, then, to understand that, in order to forestall a repetition of this experience at the peace conference which was to settle the World War, Japan felt it necessary to assure herself of the support of her claims by her allies at the peace table? This will explain the agreements entered into in 1917 between Japan on the one hand and Great Britain, France, Italy, and Russia on the other, as well as the China-Japan agreements of 1915 and 1918. Can we justly blame Japan for concluding these conventions, in view of the fact that the world has short memory of the past, as I said at the outset? At the same time, it should not be forgotten that these agreements were made after the Great War had been raging for two years and a half, and that by these instruments Japan reciprocally undertook to support the respective claims of her allies on German territories and colonies at the peace conference.

THE BASIS OF THE SHANTUNG SETTLEMENT.

The aforesaid treaties are the basis of articles 156, 157, and 158 of the Versailles treaty. The terms of the latter treaty are substantially the same as those specified in the former. So long, therefore, as these treaties stand, so long will the Shantung clause of the Versailles treaty stand. Consequently, Chinese advocates are consistent, at least, when in trying to annul the Shantung decision, they advocate the abrogation of the China-Japan treaty of 1915. This, however, is out of the question. Great Britain, France, and Italy stand upon their honor. Nor will Japan ever consent to be a party to the abrogation of the treaty of 1915. Moreover, in adopting such a grave course, China must be prepared to turn into "scraps of paper" many of the treaties she has concluded with other powers. No stateman, I presume, will subscribe to such a program of upsetting the international order now maintained in · China and reenacting in that country the chaos and anarchy of Bolshevik Russia.

AMERICA'S STAND ON THE SHANTUNG DECISION.

That the United States has assumed a different position with regard to the Shantung decision from what I have stated is intelligible. The country entered the war in April, 1917, and is not a party to the agreements concluded among the Allies during February and March of the same year. Nor has it recognized the China-Japan treaty of 1915. According to the disclosure made in President Wilson's statement of August 6 of the circumstances that led to the Shantung decision, we are made aware that the President agreed to it upon the basis of the policy--as detailed in the above statementdeclared by the Japanese peace envoys, Baron Makino and Viscount Chinda. In the discussion that was to decide one of the most hotly disputed questions at the Paris conference, President Wilson further enlightens us that "reference was made to the enforcement of the agreements of 1915 and 1918 only in case China failed to cooperate fully in carrying out the policy outlined in the statement of Baron Makino and Viscount Chinda." By thus supplementing the statement issued on August 6 by Viscount Uchida, President Wilson has, I believe, taken pains to make his stand clear to the American people. It is made plain to all careful observers that the Shantung decision was the result of the compromise effected by principal representatives of the great powers. America can not very well call to account the allied powers for the conduct of the war or the arrangements made among them prior to her entrance into the war. This appears to me to afford an explanation of what President Wilson told his callers, as was often reported in newspapers, to the effect that America alone could not settle the terms of peace.

PROGRAM FOR THE EXECUTION OF THE SHANTUNG DECISION.

The Shantung program announced by Japan's peace envoys and now elaborated by her foreign minister is (1) to restore Kiaochow in pursuance of the assurance given at the peace conference and in fullfillment of the pledge she gave to China in 1915; (2) to operate the Tsingtao-Tsinanfu Railroad as a joint Sino-Japanese enterprise without any discrimination in treatment against other nationals, Chinese policing the road; (3) to establish in Tsingtao a general foreign settlement, instead of an exclusive Japanese settlement, as was at first contemplated; (4) to completely withdraw the Japanese troops now guarding the territory upon the completion of these arrangements with China. In this way Shantung will come to attain the same status ruling in other Provinces of China. The Shantung settlement, therefore, does not infringe upon the territorial integrity of China or her independence. Rather does it serve to recover China's sovereignty which Germany had in fact over-ridden at Kiaochow in 1898. After the reaffirmation by Viscount Uchida of the pledge repeatedly made by Japan's responsible statesmen and her representatives at Paris and Washington to restore Kiaochow to China, deed alone would convince those who still doubt Japan's sincerity of purpose. How such a step can be taken before China signs the treaty, I do not know. The execution of the contract can not take place while the other party is out of the ring. The responsibility of delaying the steps leading to the redeeming of Japan's pledge can not be shirked by China so long as she refuses to sign the Versailles treaty. The deadlock, however, can not last long. I entertain a strong hope that China will soon see the wisdom of adopting a course that will insure the benefits vouchsafed her by the Versailles treaty by affixing her seal to it, and avoid the danger involved in making a separate peace with Germany.

THE SHANTUNG CLAUSE CONTRASTED WITH THE PORTSMOUTH TREATY.

The one and sole weakness in the Shantung decision, I will admit, is the outward appearance it unavoidably partakes that the Allies have given the award to Japan at the expense of a friendly nation, and that Japan has become heir to the leasehold and rights which Germany extorted from China on the barest of pretenses.

The status of Kiaochow under German occupation was, however, scarcely different from that of Port Arthur and Dalny under Russian occupation. Nevertheless, when one compares the terms of the Shantung settlement with those of the Portsmouth treaty he will immediately notice a very marked difference. The treaty which was concluded through the good offices of President Roosevelt transferred to Japan without much ado the Russian leasehold of Kwangtung territory, wherein Port Arthur is located, of the South Manchurian Railway and of all the rights and privileges appertaining thereto, together with the right of stationing troops to guard the line. By the Versailles arrangement, on the other hand, the Kiaochow leasehold will be given up, the railroad is to be brought under joint management, and a trace of military occupation will be completely wiped out by the withdrawal of Japanese troops from Shantung.

THE GERMAN-CHINA TREATY OF 1898 AND ITS SEQUEL.

It is well to remember that the German-China Treaty of 1898 received the recognition of most of the great powers, including the United States, and had been in force for 16 years. During this period not a voice of protest was raised by the Chinese or by the citizens of other powers against Germany's leasehold of Kiaochow or her activities in Shantung. For all practical purposes Kiaochow was German territory, and at the outbreak of the war it was used as the base of military and naval operations against the Allies. The Tsingtao-Tsinanfu Railroad transported the German forces and supplies. It was this enemy territory and property that Japan wrested in 1914 and thus wiped out the menace of Germany in the Far East. Viscount Uchida reminds us in his late statement that in the ultimatum addressed to Germany by Japan on August 15. 1914, the latter power demanded of the former to deliver Kiaochow not later than September 15, 1914, without condition or compensation, with a view to eventual restoration of the same to China, and that this demand has never elicited any protest from China or any other power. It would be easy enough to say, now that the war is over, that China could without difficulty have ousted the Germans. To argue against such a contention would be silly. Yet there is one point loudly noised abroad against which I can not help protesting. It has been asserted that China has been prevented by the machinations of Japan from entering the war at its first stage. This is a falsifying of history. The conditions prevailing in China at the time of the outbreak of the Great War and the details of her final entrance into it are exhaustively described by Mr. Kawakami in his book entitled "Japan and World Peace."

It is further asserted by those who espouse China's cause that the declaration of war against Germany by China had the effect of abrogating the treaty of 1898 and restoring to China all rights which she granted to Germany. It is true that war cancels political treaties of a temporary nature between belligerents; but under international law it would seem, as Senator Robinson so ably maintains, that "such a treaty as that between China and Germany, in which China agreed to accept the status of other nations with which Germany was at peace, in so far as the leased territory is concerned, would not be abrogated ipso facto by the outbreak of war between China and Germany." Aside from this contention, there is one incontestible document-incontestible unless it is made void by force-by which China agreed upon the transfer of these German rights to Japan by stipulating in it to "give full assent to all matters upon which the Japanese Government may hereafter agree with the German Government relating to the disposition of all rights, interests, and concessions which Germany, by virtue of treaties or otherwise, possesses in relation to the Province of Shantung "That China was acting in good faith to execute the terms of this treaty, with no intention of abrogating it, is clearly shown by the conclusion of the agreement of 1918. This agreement, which China herself initiated, was the sequel of the former treaty-I mean the China-Japan treaty of 1915. The contracting of loans for the purpose of building railways in Shantung, with other enterprises China has undertaken in conjunction with Japan since 1915, is a strong confirmation of my contention.

JAPAN AND OTHER POWERS IN CHINA.

Whether foreign leaseholds, settlements, and concessions in China, together with railroads operated under foreign management, should or should not be tolerated is a question of highest importance demanding the most careful consideration of the world leaders. The fundamental principle underlying the Shantung question is nothing but the question whether or not to tolerate this state of affairs in China, and equity demands, it seems to me, the solution of the two in one way or the other. This, of course, opens up a vast problem of China's reconstruction. The establishment of foreign settlements is the result of the policy of seclusion China has pursued. They are at the present day the only avenues through which foreign commerce flows and the business of foreign merchants transacted. The abolition of foreign settlements would necessitate the opening up of the whole country. With it will arise the question of the abolition of extraterritorial jurisdiction and that of recovery of the tariff autonomy and other no less weighty questions. These are, however, irrelevant to the subject I am presenting.

The actual fact is that there are in China several foreign leaseholds and foreign settlements, that China has in the past granted for one reason or another industrial and economic rights and concessions to foreign powers, and that many railroads in that country are placed under foreign management. I can, therefore, see no reason why Japan alone should be singled out and made the target of attack. Japan above all