Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-09-11
Minority Report
Made on Treaty
Continued From Page One

amendments are concerned we sec no
reason to discuss their character at
length. In our opinion they have no
merit. but whether they be good. bad
or Indifferent. their adoption by the
Senate can have no possible effect OK
cept to defeat the participation Of tn"
United States in the treaty.
"Nonp of them could by any pos
sibility be accepted even by the great
nations associated with the nitrd
States in the var and none of them
could by any possibility b." dictntNd to
Germany. To adopt any one of them.
therefore. is equivalent to rejecting tho
treaty.
''The suggestion of tn" majority re-
port that the Peace Conference" is still
In session in Paris and could consider
any tPxtual amendments t" the treaty
made by the Senate. and that German
representatives could be brought to
Paris for that purpose. indicates n total
misconCcptiOn of the situation.
Peace Conference Through
"The Peace Conference has acted fin
ally upon this treaty. Great h:,tain
has ratified it. France is about to do
so and with the action of one other
power it will in all human probability
be in actual operation even before the
Senate of the United States reaches a
decision.
Moreover. the Peace Conference
possesses no further power to bring
German representatives to Paris The
power of ]compulSion has been ex-
hausted. Germany was told where to
sign and when to sign. and when 10
ratify. and Germany has closed the
chapter by signing and By ratifying.
Germany CannOt be compelled to do
anything different with regard to this
treaty by being confronted with an
amended treaty. whether once a month.
day or week. There must be "A ~tinHlity
TO ultimate in a treaty by rompulsion.
IF an amended treaty isn't signed by
Germany. then it is in non" of its parts
binding on her.
"To adopt an amendment or to re
iect the treaty means that the United
States will sacrifice all Of the con
cessions secured from Germany by a
dictated peace. While these cOncos-
sions are not SO large rs those which
others associated with uS NccUr" in re
p%arations. they are, nevertheless, Of tire
mendous importance and could only be
secured under "A dictated peace.
"AmOng the concessions which the
United States would sacrifice may be
Included the following
First. Gprmnny1S acknowledgment
of responsibility for the war and her
promise to make restitution for dam
ages resulting from it.
Second. Germany's promise TO us
In the treaty that she will not impose
higher or other customs duties or
charges on our goods than those charged
TO the most favored nation and will
not prohibit or restrict or discriminate
against imports directly or indirectly
from our country.
''Third. Germany's promise to us
" IL WlaN H. ILL
discrimination in German ports on ship
ping bearing our flag and that our ship
ping in German ports will be given as
favorable treatment as German ships
receive.
"Fourth. That for six months after
the treaty goes into effect no customs
duty will be levied against imports
from the United States except the low
est duties that were in force for the
first six months of 1914.
Fifth. GeTmany's agreement with
MS that the United States shall have
the privilege Of reyiving such of the
treaties with Germany as were in exist
ence prior to the war as we may alone
desire.
Property Restoration Menaced
''Sixth. GeTmany's promise to us to
restore the Property Of our citizens
seized in Germany or to compensate
the owners.
''Seyenth. Germany's very important
agreement validating all acts by the
United States and by the alien property
custodian by which we seized and pro-
eeeded to liquidate $500. 600. 200 worth
Of property in the United States be-
longing TO German citizens.
'Eighth. Germany's agreement that
the proceeds of the sale of these proper
ties may be used TO commensurate our citi
zsns in Germany ii Germany fails to do
so, or to pay debts which GPrmany or
Germans owe to American citizens. or
10 pay American pre- war claims against
Germany for property destroyed and
lives taken similar to the losses because
Of the destruction Of the Lusitania.
Ninth, Germany's agreement that