Great Falls daily tribune., 1919-10-04
THE FALL AMENDMENTS.

THE FALL AMENDMENTS. Z
Rejection by the senate of 20 Of the SO FAN
amendments to the peace treaty is convincing
proof. if further proof is needed, that the oppo-
sition manifested to the treaty and the League
of Nations covenant in the upper house OF con-
press is not sincere nor is it other than political
move of a part of the republican members OF
that body Seventeen of the republican mem
bers voted with al democrats in the first test
vote to reject the Fall measures. Iwenty-hlhe
republicans voted to accept them and but one
democrat Gore, voted with them. A1ter 'he
test vote on the first amendment TWO otners
were considered singly and then 70 OF tnenl
were punched and rejected without even the 1or-
maity of roll CALL
The first Of the Fall amendments considered
was that which would have eliminated the
limited States from membership on the commls-
sion which will be named to adjust the boundary
line between Belgium and Germany. A second
ono rejected would have relieved the United
States from taking part in certain lnternatlonal
adjustments relating to the duchy Oh LuAeill-
burg. The third amendment which was nohoreu
with senarate consideration was that which
would have deprived the United States or repre-
sentation on the Saar Basin commission. A1ter
getting this far the senate majority quit trlfllng
and punched 26 of the Fall amendments ana
threw them into the junk heap.
The Fall amendments had for their purpose
the evasion of responsibility upon the part OF the
limited States. They would have had America
take no part in the adjustment of the conditions
which have followed the defeat Of Germany In
the world war and in which defeat the troops OF
America played splendid part. The wonder IS
that the senate minority has been allowed to
bring about the delay in the consideration OF the
treaty that it has Following the rejection OF
the Fall amendments the atmosphere at Wash
ineton should be cleared to an extent which gives
rise to the hope that future discussion Will be
more brief and the votes more speedy.
Every day brings word of the injury being
worked to the various interests Of this country
because of the senate delay in ratification. The
English and French mercantile establishments
are taking advantage Of the opportunity to tie
up European business in way that VIII make
America suffer for several years. England long
ago ratified the German peace treaty and ever
since her tradesmen have had representatives
securing the German empire seeking business
and they have been getting it. The French, by an
overwhelming ma jority, have ratified the Ger
man peace treaty, the vote being the greatest
victory that Clemenceau has scored during his
public career The approval Of three Of the great
world powers exclusive of Germany is necessary
to put the German peace treaty into effect
There is no third approval in sight because the
American senate delays.
The row which has been preclpltated in the
italian chamber of deputies by the Fiume and
Jugo-Slavia situation makes it probable that
there will be no action in that quarter before
December and it is stated that Japan awaits the
action of the United States before itself taking
the matter under consideration. Some may
therefore blame Italy and Japan for the failure
to make the German peace treaty effective. But
more is expected of the United States than is ex-
pected either of Italy or Japan. Blaming those
two nations will not clear the skirts of America.
In the speedy rejection of the Fall amend
ments the senate majority has made an excellent
start towards getting rid of this whole business
as it should have been gotten rid of long ago.
Now if few gags could be applied to the windy
obstructionsts and the pace set be kept all would
be serene within short time.
STUDENTS TURNED AWAY.