Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-07-24

none of the associate members of
the League can object.
The fourth Interpretation is a
mere statement of international law
and the proper construction of the
seventh paragraph of Article XIV.
which is only inserted to satisfy
criticism of that paragraph, based
on the unfounded assumption that
some tribunal of the League will be
found which will declare issues III
respect to immigration on the tariff
TO be something other than ques-
tloh or domestic policy.
The fifth Interpretation defines
the Monroe Doctrine. AS the express
SION Monroe doctrine" is used III
article NM and as the United States
is the author of the Doctrine and
has maintained it for ninety-slX
years, It is fairly within the limit
OF an Interpretation for it to state
what the Dictrine has ben made
10 be in the history of its develop
ment to the present day.
Would Extend Article Y
These interpretations it seem, to
me, reasonably answer all the rea-
sonable or sincere criticisms made
against the League except as thev
are met by the single reservation aa
TO Article y, which is suggested lt
the close Mr.. Root, in his letter to
you, proposed that the operation Of
Article y be limited to five wears.
Influenced by some direct
information that ! have as to the
attitude of France in respect to Ar
ticle y, ] am confident that the
period of five years is not long
enough for this stdDiI'Zation and
does not offer the security which
France eagerly seeks. I think,
fluence of the League would be
greatly strengthened by lengthen-
ing this period from five to ten
years. It seems to me that ought
to be done by the formal exercise
of the right to withdraw as a mem
Der of the League after ten years
by giving a notice to that effect.
The nations of the League can De
sure that should the League work
well, the United States will with
draw the notice. The pro-
vision, however, may tend to satisfy
doubters in respect to the League by
requiring for it's extension beyond
ten years the affirmative action OF
the President and two-thirds of the
Senate in favor of such extension
time should the failure of the League
be apparent before the expiration
of the ten years, the withdrawal
clause gives us full opportunity to
end our relation to the League by
a two years notice.
"Iventure to thing that my sugGes-
tions are not amendments but only
interpretations or actions authorize
by the League itself. l don't think
they will weaken in any substantial
way the forcible effect Of the
League, and I hope that they may
remove the qualms and anxious
concern of friends of the League
whose votes are necessary to ratify
It. Sincerely yours,
civilian H. TAFT"
My Dear Will:
referring to your telephone to
me this Sunday morning 1 under
stand you to agre with me that 1t
would be unwise at this time 70
bring my suggestions to the atten-
ton of Mr.. Root, Senator Lodge or
any of the Republicans ranged iii
general opposition to the ratification
of the League without reservations.
What I fear is that if these rcservd-
tions come to knowledge of such op-
ponents of the league, their author
ship will at once prompt opposition
to them.
"I have opened communication on
the subject with the three Senators
whose votes I hope may defeat radi-
cal reservations in the nature Of
amendments likely to come from
the majority in the Foreign Rela-
tions Committee. These recommen-
dations have to be voted for by
Borah in order to bring them out Of
the committee, if, as I hope, Nj
Cumber will vote against them.
After their defeat, which I hope
may be accomplished by forty-fivu
Democratic votes, with three Re
pubhcans against them, then the
deadlock will be on.
THE Democrats and three Repub-