The sun., 1919-09-19
Move to Give U. s. Equal
Vote With Britain Will
Measure Strength.
RESUMES HIS TOUR LATER
Senator's Ridicule Presidents
Analysis Of Covenant in An
swer to Questions.
Special Despatch to Tue Sun.

WASHINGTON, sept 1S.-The an
swers of President Wilson to the
series Of questions submitted to him
by an organization on the Pacific
coast aroused the immediate interest
Of Senators here. Not only the stand
taken by the President concerning
Shantung but the six British votes in
the proposed League of Nations, Ire
lands situation under the league and
other matters were scanned keenly by
the "Americanism" Senators, but the
fact that the President would put
himself on record with such def1ni-
ton caused some comment.
Thus far these Senators have only
newspaper reports of the interchange
between Mr.. Wilson and this organiza-
tion, hence to-day did not desire that
their names be used in connection
with criticism Of the replies made.
Privately. however, they expressed
themselves rather fully.
The Presidents statement that the
assignment of six votes to the British
Empire was due to the fact that in
foreign policy only are British dominiols
anything but autonomous nations. but
that the six votes OF the British Empire
nevertheless could not outvote the
United States. was put down as more
or less ridiculous. While 1t is true
that in some matters the consent of all
members of the projected affiliation of
nations is required before action can
be taken by the league, it was pointed
out by Senators, 1t is silly to imagine
that the British nation would consent
10 reducing its vote to one. They also
said that IL six votes mean no more
than one there Is no reason for the
Presidents opposition to the proposed
amendment to the covenant to raise
Americas voting strength to six.
"Moral Obligation" Involved.
The Presidents reply to the question
concerning the power under the league
or other countries having the power to
send American troops abroad to mix
In clashes among foreign nations. when
he asserted this was impossible because
under the Constitution only Congress
mas this power, recalled strongly to the
minds OF the Senators of the Foreign
relations Committee the Presidents
declaration to them that the part of
the league affecting this question
Article X.-involved merely a moral
obligation" 1t was recalled that later
on MI Wilson defined a moral obliga-
ton as more binding than a legal one.
1t would have shown greater candor and
fairness on the Presidents part, Senators
SAID. to have explained to his question
ers this angle of the situation.
The Presidents assertion that the
formation of the league as he has an
proved II would make the return OF
Shantung to China a certainty and
would hasten it caused more amuse-
ment than anything else. The Senators
pointed out that the league is a part of
The peace treaty, the very instrument
which robs China, an ally, of this
province OF her own. 1t was
recalled also that the Secretary OF State
assured the Foreign Relations Commit
tee that this sacrifice OF an ally was
not needed to procure the signature of
Japan to the treaty.
The Presidents answer to the oues-
tion concerning the obligation of the
United States to go to Great Britain's
u.
he stated that there was none and
added that the trainers of the treaty
had been scrupulously careful" not TO
with the rights of self-deter-
could not be made to jibe by
some Senators with the deliberate cut
ting up Of Europe by the Peace Con-
ference. The dictation TO Poland of the
sort of government 1t must have was
cited as a sufficient example TO show
the fallacy of this part of the Presi-
dents contention in this respect
Conflicting View on ireland.
The only other question answered bv
the President had to do with the effect
Of the league on Irish freedom. To
this the President replied by pointing out
that Article XI. provides a forum to
which such disputes are to be referred
II they are likely to disturb the peace
or the world. The covenant provides, II
was recalled tonight by Republican
Senators, that anything likely to disturb
the peace OF the world is specifically
declared to be a matter of concern TO
the league. This, they said, would seem
TO vitiate Mr.. Wilson's assurance that
any Irish revolt against British rule
would be a domestic matter for Great
Britain alone to cope with and outside
the scope of action of the proposed
league.
That the treaty fight in the Senate
will be a long one is now admitted on
both sides. Senator Swanson (Va), one
Of the Presidents floor tacticians, ex-
pressed the belief to-day that the rati-
hcation resolution could not and would
not be adopted before November /. Sen
ator Lodge (Mass.), leader OF the oppo-
sitlon 10 the treaty and league covenant
In their unamended form. entertains
similar although less pessimistic views.
I'VE shall delay consideration not an