The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-29
WAY OPENED TO
CHANGE LEAGUE
Clemenceau Compromise Pro-
yides for Reconsideration
of Treaty Negotiations.
PUTS CHECK ON GERMANY
Another Pending Resolution
Would Make America Share
Financial Burdens.
by LAURENCE HILLS.
Sto1 Correspondent Of THE Sun.

StoD Correspondent Of THE Sun.
Copyrioht, 1918, all rights reserved.
PARIS Sept. 2s.-The most important
political development following the
speech of Premier Clemenceau in the
Chamber of Deputies last Thursday ss
that the FrefYc6 Government has
agreed to accept what is virtually an
amendment or addition to the peace
treaty. Thus France leads the way In
protecting its interests, which 1t sees
have been jeopardized by the course
of the Council of Four. Constitution
ally Parliament cannot amend the
treaty, but this difficulty has been
overcome by the wording Of the res
olution. which as It now stands reads:
The Chamber of Deputies invites
the Government to engage in nego-
tiations with the allied and asso-
ciated Powers to render effective
the disarmament of Germany and
its allies by interdicting certain fab
relations of war and all other meas
ures deemed necessary.
This resolution was a compromise.
the result OF conferences which went
on all yesterday between Premier
Clemenceau and the Parliamentary
leaders with a view Of developing
form which will permit the ratification
of the treaty.
Is willing to Accept.
Faced by a situation analogous in
some respects to the conditions under
which President Wilson is contending
with the Republican leaders in the
Senate. the French Prime Minister
receded somewhat from the position
he has maintained up to now and Is
willing to accept compromise which
opens the way to new negotiations with
, the Allies, provided the opposition
agrees to permit the ratification OF the
treaty in advance. In other words.
he commits himself, by the acceptance
of the resolution Of Deputy Lefevre.
to a course which President Wilson op-
poses even to the extent OF stating
that he would withdraw the treaty.
The unfavorable comment provoked
Immediately in American circles here by
the action OF the French Government re-
yealed the fear of the Presidents friende
that It would have bad effect upon the
position OF the President before the
| Senate. An effort was made to show
! that the proposed action was impractica'
BILE and much is made Of the difficulties
In the way Of reopeIflng negotiations- II
is impossible to believe, however. thai
the French Government has not consid
cred this side of the matter.
Effort to obIiEate u. 8.
| Two resolutions were presented to tn,
| Chamber, the first by Deputy Lefevre In
reference to the disarmament Of Ger
many, and the other by Deputy Vincent
Auriol designed to obtain through nego'
! tiatIons the financial solidarity of th'
! Allies. The compromise applies to both
| the Premier accepting both In principle
Behind the financial resolution is tbs
effort. many times made in other forms
TO obligate the United States to assls
France financially.
The all important feature of this new
turn in the situation is that II foreshad
ows a reopening of negotiations with th'
Allies, although not with Germany. ant
demonstrates the feasibility OF such ne
! Rotiations, Notwithstanding the conten
/ ton Of President Wilson that they coulC
not be undertaken.
In the light OF Developments II appeari
| frst, that Premier Ciemenceau was op
posed to that part Of the Lefevre reso
tuition which required the reopening o.
negotiations with the Allies In regard Il
disarmament in advance Of ratification
OF the treaty. He asserted that thii
would be undlgnihed and that II thii
feature were pressed he would have I,
ask for vote of confidence, and, second
that he was opposed TO the original word
ing of the Lcfeyre resolution. which in
cluded Germany In the negotiations. bu
was willing TO limit such negotiations t.
the allied and associated Powers
Opens Question TO America.
The third point is the acceptance b!
Premier Clemenceau under the same con
ditions OF the Auriol resolution for hnan
cial solidarity. II IL significant tina
these motions were accepted by the Pre-
| OoNttaAOd on FosirtA Pd1a.