The sun., 1919-05-03
TREATY INEFFECTIVE
UNTIL NATIONS ACT
Terms and League Covenant
Will Have to Be Ratified
by Five Powers.
3 CONTINGENCIES SEEN
If Senate Makes Changes
Separate Pact With Ger
many May Result.

cptCiut DesputCN 10 SUf.
WASHINGTON, May 2.-Authoritative
explanation was given here tonight as
to how the peace situation would be az
fected by the following contingencies
First--If the United States Senate
ratines the treaty and League of Ma
lions covenant without change.
Second-If the Senate amends the
treaty of the league covenant, or re-
jects one or both,
Third-If the Senate delays ac-
ton for an extended period on the
treaty, the league covenant. or both.
Investigation In diplomatic quarters
shows to begin with that the treaty plus
the league covenant to all intents and
purposes will have to be ratified by the
Parliaments in Great Britain, France.
Japan and Italy. as well as the United
States. The popular impression that the
treaty and league covenant become ef-
fective in the Entente countries as soon
as they are signed in this case is not
justified, II is explained.
Ordinary treaties, including secret
treaties, frequently have been and can
he legally made by the Prime Minister
even without the knowledge OF Parlia-
ment, and this virtually Is the case
in the other allied countries. But tho
present peace treaty differs from the
ordinary treaty in the sense that it re-
quires explanation, appropriations and
appointments to make the league effec-
tive, and this means that the British
House of Commons will have a voice In
making II effective just as other Euro
pean Parliaments will likewise be con-
cerned.
In the case of Great Britain Premier
Lloyd George has promised to give the
House OF Commons an opportunity to
pass final Judgment on his work in Paris,
and there is a possibility. though not a
probability. that there may be some de-
lay before all the features are Endorsed
in Great Britain. In France, Japan and
Italy the league conceivably may be
separated from the treaty by the Par
liaments representing the people. though
this contingency is admittedly unlikely,
because the Prerniers have been working
in the full confidence of their respective
peoples and would have been removed
from their positions by votes Of lack of
confidence IL they had ceased ut any
time to represent the majority will
II the United States ratifies the treaty
and the league covenant without change
the American people will be bound to
go ahead with the league project on the
basis dictated In Paris, and the United
States will be at peace with Germany
Immediately upon ratification. The only
treaty affected, however, will be the
treaty between the United States and
Germany and the general peace situa-
ton in Europe will be dependent upon
action abroad and not action in Wash
ington.
II the Senate amends the treaty or
changes any part OF the League of Ma
tons covenant. this will result In caus-
ing the United tSates to sign q separate
and distinct treaty with Germany. But
IL Is admitted that the question will
chiefly be one of technicalities, unless
the treaty or the league covenant is ma
terially changed.
Should the treaty be changed by the
Senate to suit Americas needs the peace
situation in Europe will not be really
altered. Great Britain. France, Italy
and Japan in such circumstances. 1t Is
pointed out. may be at peace with Ger
many and Europe may be stabilized
without peace having technically been
brought about between the United States
and Germany.
The effect on American relations with
Germany. resumption Of trade between
Americans and Germans, &c, would be
felt, but rejection or amendment or de-
lay on the Senate's part will have prac-
tically no effect at all on the general
European situation.
Amendment OF the League OF Nations
covenant by the Senate not necessarily
will defeat the League OF Nations
project. 1t Is emphasized. It would
simply mean that the European league
plan would be accepted insofar as II
harmoniZed with the Senates version OF
what the covenant should contain. As
practical proposition this divergence
in the American and European view
point probably would simply be held
over for future adjustment when the
European members OF the league hold
| their first meeting. The European con-
ception could be harmoniZed witt the
American independence and American
welfare.
Ofhcials here say that amendments IN
the Senate may not jeopardize seriously
the leagues future and they admit that
amendments even might help. Radical
amendments might kill the league plar
completely. though the state OF peace
would not be affected materially ever