The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-28
Diplomat Suggests Procedure
by Which the Senate
Could Act.
HOUSE TO STAY IN PARIS
Suggestions for Changes Could
Be Sent to Him and Allied
Representatives.
ny LAURENCE HILLS.
Star Correspondent Of TEE Sun.

Copyright. 1919; all rtoAts reserved.
PARIS, May 27.-Inqulry made In Brit
ish circles reveals that they do not share
the opinion that Americans here are ad-
vancing that any changes made by the
American Senate in the covenant Of the
league or In the treaty proper would re-
suit In n tangled diplomatic situation OF
such oomplexity as to delay peace for
the United States in contrast with the
other Powers.
The British give the impression that
they are watching developments in
America more closely than any other
foreign representatives. and from pri-
vate advices which they have received
are rather expecting some changes In
the covenant at least
How far the British or the represent
tatives of any other nation would go in
approving changes which the Senate
may make in order to preserve the
league cannot be foretold yet, this phase
OF the matter being open to much ques-
ton. But as to the diplomatic situation
which would ensue the British see moth
ing awkward or insurmountable.
A high British authority informs THE
Sun that Great Britain, France and
Japan are certain to ratify tho treaty
Immediately, which. under a clause in
the document. will make It effective as
between them and Germany. The Brit
ish assume that the United States will
DO extremely loath to make a separate
peace with Germany, approving In the
main the treaty the Allies make here.
Assuming. however. that the Senate de-
sired to make some changes or reserva-
lions in the covenant of the league, this
authority is of the opinion that the dip
lomatic procedure would be as follows :
The President would receive the treaty
| from the Senate with tho changes II had
voted, and performing his constitutional
| function as negottator would cable i'm
mediately the text Of the changes to
whomever ne had left here. presumably
| Col e. NJ House. as the understanding
Is that some plenipotentiaries must be
| left here during the summer.
| The Americans here could then call a
conference OF all the other representa-
| tives of the Powers and endeayor to
| reach an agreement on the changes.
This agreement would be reported back
to the President. who would in turn re-
| transmit the treaty to the Senate with a
| statement of the results of the conference
here. II would then be for the Senate
to decide whether to accept the change
as agreed upon by the Joint conference
| here, to maintain the joint treaty and
preserve the league, or to insist upon
| standing its ground TO the extent Oh d
separate treaty with Germany. thereby
leaving the Allies.
1t is conceivable that the Allies might
accept without reservation all the Sen
| ate changes, which would make II a
simple matter the President approving
the treaty as revised by the Senate
without resubmitting 1t
The opinion Is advanced by the same
authority that Germany need not be
included In the next negotiations. partic-
ularly II the changes affected the
! covenant of the ieague only. for the
| reason that Germany in signing the
treaty will agree to accept the League
Of Nations. as prepared by the Allies,
| whatever Il might be.