The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-24
Says 1t Should Be Ratified With
German Terms.
TAFT AFTER DEMOCRATS NOW
Makes Proposal of Reservations
to Hitchcock.
Democrats Claim Treaty VIII
Win as II Is.

Washington. July "a. - President
Wilson is respectfully requested, II
not incompatible with public interest"
to lay the proposed Franco american
treaty before the senate in a resolution
offered today by Senator Lodge. Mas
sachusetts.
Objection by Senator Robinson,
Democrat. prevented immediate con-
sideration. The Lodge resolution
pointed out that the treaty had been
laid before the French chamber Of
deputies. been printed in newspapers
in the United States and that article
4 provided that 1t should be presented
to the senate along with the German
treaty
Senator Lodge offered the measure
after sharp debate.
Taft Opens Up On Demos.
Former President Taft, who has
written several Republican senators
and leaders suggesting reservations to
the peace treaty which might be ac-
ceptable to both sides. has opened cor
respondence on the subject with
prominent Democratic senators. Sena-
tor Hitchcock, Of Nebraska. one or the
leading spokesman for the administra-
ton in the senate fight, received
letter To-Day from Mr.. Taft.
The Nmer presidents communica-
ton to H. Nebraska senator was not
made pubic but it was understood to
he Of the same general tenor as those
for agreement upon treaty reservations
or interpretations to facilitate ratifi-
cations.
Continue Present Fight.
Senator Hitchcock and other ad-
ministration senators declared today,
however that for the present, they
would continue their efforts for ratifi-
cation without reservations. Express
ing confidence that there was no
question but that the treaty would be
ratified they said the fight now CEN
tered on the resolution accompanying
ratification in which would be en-
bodied any reservations or interpreta-
tions.
Contending that senate rules re-
quired a vote on each article of the
treaty the administration leaders said
they believed they had the votes to de-
feat amendments to any section as
simple majority only would be re-
quired. Conceding that strength
might develop to compel acceptance
OF a ratification resolution with quail
flying clauses, the administration sem
ators said they had not yet been ad-
vised by President Wilson whether he
would be disposed to accept any inter-
probation. II was said, however. that
the administration would oppose to the
last any qualifying clauses which
would require re-negotiation of the
treaty.
Cop.es Of Mr.. Taft's letter are in the
hands OF several senator's here and, in
fact. have been pretty generally circu-
lated among senate Republicans.
While many senators still IL sist that
much more radical reservations or
event textual changes must be made
than Mr.. Taft suggests, it is a GER
tainty that the Republicans will 90 as
far rs Mr.. Taft proposes as a mini
mum and they probably will be go
FFr,. gff
tion will be sustained by all the sem
ators who have been ''wobbly' on MAX
ing any changes in the league-like
Senators Colt, McCumber and Nc
Nary. That assures reservations to
that extent, at least.
Tafts Suggestions.
The six points covered in rescrva-
tions in Mr.. Taft's letter to VIII Rays
follow:
l. Upon two years notice the United
states may cease TO be member Of the
league. but shall not be released from liza
hinues Under the covenant which are TO be
determined by such procedure as decided on
by the league This provides for retirement
Internationally insofar rs review Of the
fulfillment Of our obligations is vested in
the council under the present draft
.. Self governed colonies cannot be rep
resented on the council II the home govern
ment Is represented or he included in any Of
those clauses where the parties to the
dispute are excluded from its settlement.
.. FuncttOning Of the council under
Article shall be advisory only. and not
binding on the members, each of whom
shall be free to determine its own obliga-
ttOn. which. In the case Of the United States
would be determined by congress.
Safeguards Domestic Issues.
4. Differences between the nations re.
garding immigration or the tariff are do
nestle questions and are not to be submit
ted to the league.
.. The Monroe Doctrine is defined as
n convention under international law m.
plicable to this hemisphere, and the right
OF the United states shall not be chal.