Evening star., 1919-09-25
LEAGUE CAN EXIST
WITHOUT THE u. S.
CIemenceau Asserts ReaIiza-
!. ton of Its Insufficiency In
spired Other Treaties.

! By the Associated Press. ...-..-.=.,
PARIS. September 24.-In an explana-
ton to the chamber Of deputies today.
Premier Clemenceau. after DECLARING that
the league Of nations could exist even
though rejected by the United States
Senate asserted that it was precisely
because the French felt that the
| league of nations was an insufficient
guarantee for some years to come that
| the protective treaties Of alliance be-
| tween France, Great Britain and the
United States were drawn up.
The possibility of fnon-ratif1cation Of
| the peace treaty and the covenant of
| the league of nations by the United
| States Senate; the consequences, in
such event, to the guarantees for the
| future of France, and the question
| whether the league of nations, could
! exist without the United States as a
member, occupied the entire after
Moons debate.
q. S. Delay Surprises French
The vote in the United States Sem
ate yesterday, postpondng considera-
tion Of one OF the amendm ents, is re-
surprise in the French chamber. Louis
Larthou repeatedly asked the govern
ment for explanations.
Andre Tardieu and NJ. Pichon. the
foreign minister, replied, but the
chamber was not satisfied. Premier
in the event of the United States Sem
ate not voting for the league of ma
tions covenant, the league could exist.
The treaties constituting a protective
alliance between France, Great Brit
ain and the United States, he added,
They would come into force and
France would be protected.
During the course of NJ. Tardieu's
speech, M. Barthou Interrupted, and
demanded an immediate reply as to
what situation France would be placed
in should the United States not ratify.
He added that it was through deli
cacy' he had refrained from asking
this question before, as he wished and
hoped that the Senate would finally
begin the discussion and reach it's
conclusions. But now this seemed
hopeless, and the question must be
settled Immediately, as American rati-
fication was distant, "if it occurred
at ALL"
o.. S. Probabilities Discussed.
M. Tardfeu declared that he per-
sonally was satisfied that the United
States Senate would ratify the treaty.
Nd. Barthou countered. saying that
he was far from satisfied. and citing
|
motion for postponement MS "a lair
warning Of the ultimate fate Of the
pact"
N. Pichon's reply that legally
speaking" the league could exist
with Americas participation brought
the retort from NJ. Barihou that what
France wanted was political guarantees.
not legal guarantees. He as,serted that
the government must face the issue inn
mdiately.
Clemenceau Cites Treaties.
Premier Clemenceau said:
should the United States reject the
league OF nations. two treaties Of al
lance between France and Great
Britain and France ana the United
States exist. Nevertheless, It was
precisely because we felt that the
league Of nations was an insufficient
guarantee for some years to come
that these treaties were drawn up.
The hague Of nations for the present
has nothing to- do with the Franco
British-American treaties, which con-
stitute sunicient guarantees for
M. clemeneeau added that the
league Of nations wcald not take up
the responsibilities and guarantees
entered into by the treaties unless It
was decided to do 50 by a two-thirds
majority when the league was COM
pletely organized and operating.
TT you are seeking to adjourn the
debate until America ratifes the
treaty" he said. 'you may do 80. but
you shall do 50 without u.s."
The debate was adjourned until to-
morrow.