Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-22
Former Secretary of
State Would Guard
Sovereignty of
Nation.
Suggests Reservations b.
Senate in Ratification.
Borah Threat of
Third Party.

UG1 ~ ~ Sys
A plan whereby the Senate may rat
fly the peace treaty containing the
Ieage of nations covenant, and at
the same time eliminate features OF
the covenant, Objectionable to sena-
tors, has been drafted by Elihu Root,
former Secretary of State and senator
from New York.
The suggestions of Mr. Root are
contained In a letter addressed to
Senator Lodge, republican leader and
chairman of the foreign relations
committee. and by him made public
last night.
Predict It Will Be Adopted.
That the plan will be adopted by
the opponents of the league OF ma
lions as at present drafted was wide
Nv predicted last night. 1t is regarded
a. a solution to the problem of rati-
ncation of the peace treaty without
delay while preserving the sover-
eighty of the United States.
Mr.. Root proposes the ratification of
the treaty by the Senate with reser-
vations.
These reservations cover Article 10
Of the league Of nations covenant.
which pledges the members OF the
league to safeguard the territorial in
tegrity Of its members; the article
providing for the withdrawal OF ma
lions from the league. and purely do
nestle and American questions, In
GLIDING the Monroe doctrine.
The assertion Is made by Mr.. Root
that these reservations can be includ-
ed in the resolution OF consent to the
ratification Of treaty which the Senate
adopts, and that the reservations need
not at all delay the final making Of
peace.
Long-Established Precedent.
Such reservations, containing ex-
pressions Of understanding. are in ac-
cordance with congratulated prece-
dent in the making Of treaties. Mr..
Root says. He continues:
when included In the instrument
OF ratification they will not require a
reopening Of negotiation. but II none
OF the other signatories expressly OBJ
Ject to the ratification with such
limitations. the treaty stands as
limited between the United States and
the other powers"
The Root plan il regarded as a way
out Of the maze in which the Senate
has found itself with regard to deal
ing with the peace treaty and the
league of nations. 1t may not please
those who are opposed to any league
20 of nations, but, at least, 1t should
receive their support. since 1t pro-
poses to do away with those parts
of the covenant so far as the United
States is concerned. to which they
have raised the most serious ob1ec-
ton. The prediction is made that 1t
cannot fail to receive the support of
a number of democratic senators.
1t gives these senators who have
been in sympathy with the idea of q
league of nations to preserve peace.
but who dislike some of the features
Of the present league draft. a chance
to come forward in support Of the
treaty.
Conference With Senators.
Mr.. Root was in Washington in
conference with various republican
senators regarding the league of
nations and what should be at
tempted by the Senate. both Friday
and yesterday.
While the Knox resolution, which
would separate the league of nations
from the peace treaty. may yet be
brought before the Senate and an
effort made to obtain a test vote on
it. the resolution is regarded as
dead. largely from the fact that the
morrow by Germany. and If 1t i,
signed the Knox resolution could be
of no avail.
Shortly before tho Root letter was
made public Senator Borah of Idaho
q bitter opponent Of the league OF
nations took the floor in the Senate
and criticised a round robin signed
by twenty-eight prominent repub.
Iicans in New York urging repub.
lican senators to give their support
to the treaty as drafted and not tc
tight the league of nations. Former
Attorney General George w. Wick
ersham headed the list Of the sign.
ers, and next to him was Henry W
Taft, brother of the former Presi.
dent.
Senator Borah insisted that tn.
republican party should come ou
sauarely against the ratification o.
the league of nations. II neither tn.
republican nor the democratic part,
comes forward against the league
he said, a third party would be foune
to do SO.
Addressed to Two Senator's.
The letter signed by the New Yorl
republicans was addressed to Senator
Calder and wadsworth of New York
I'VE are urged to ratify the treat,
by these gentlemen without delay,
said Senator Borah. though tn
treaty is not yet signed by Germany
nor has 1t been presented to US here
SAnator Royah'a fhraat ~ thfr