The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-04
DENIES THATCANADA
RUBBER STAMP
Premier Borden Says Parlia-
ment Has Right to Reject
Treaty.
BUT THE KING CAN SIGN 1T
w. s. Fielding Raises Inter-
esting Point in Debate Over
Versailles Document.
BUT THE KING CAN SIGN 1T
sy a s.er cere.ponden. o. Tnn. sus.

OiAAWAs 0opt o--<ACiaibCAc VA sase
Parliament of Canada are feeling their
way on the road 10 national sovereign
right in international affairs The
opening debate to-day on the govern
ment motion to ratify the peace treaty
and League OF Nations covenant dealt
clearly with this issue. w. s. Fielding.
who gave independent support to the
coalition government on its war policy,
but now sits on the Liberal opposition
side of the House, raised the subject.
The Prime Minister introduced the
question with the following notion
Resolved, that 1t Is expedient that
Parliament do approve OF the treaty
Of peace between the allied and asso-
ciated powers and Germany (and the
protocol annexed thereto) which was
signed at Versailles on the twenty
eighth day Of June, nineteen hundred
and nineteen, a copy of which has been
laid before Parliament and which was
signed on behalf of His Majesty. acting
for Canada by the plenipotentiarle
therein named, and that this House DO
approve of the sape."
Sir Robert Borden made an exhaus-
tive statement OF the terms and Justice
Of the treaty. saying the final text had
been unanimously adopted by the
representatives Of thirty-two nations.
Designed I'm All Sincerity.
st do not assert that there was no
hesitation or even that there was no
protest. Sir Robert proceeded. Prob
ably there was not a single nation
whose representatives were absolutely
satisfied with every disposition contained
in the treaty. do not except the repre-
sentatives of Canada from that sweep
ing assertion. But there was the great
outstanding fact that thirty-two ma
tons OF varying and sometimes con-
fiicting ideals and aspirations, widely
divergent in status. In power and IN
political Developments, and separated
sometimes by ancient antagonisms and
long standing jealousies, did finally
give their undivided assent to treaty
which, whatever its imperfections may
be, was designed In all sincerity to
assure the future peace of the world.
whatever doubt may exist in other
cases. II is unquestionable that this
treaty should be submitted to Parlia-
ment for its consideration and approval
before ratification on behalf of Canada
takes place. The formal ratification IS
Of course in the name of the Sovereign
but in giving that ratification on behalf
of Canada His Majesty necessarily acts
at the instance OF his constitutional ad-
visers in this country. We gave oul
pledge to submit this treaty to Parlia'
ment before ratification, and that pledge
is now fulfilled
There is the greatest urgency fol
procuring ratification at the earliest pos
sibIe moment. The period within which
Germany shall carry out many Of heI
undertakings under the terms of tht
treaty dates from the period of ratifica.
ton by three of the allied Powers. II
is anticipated that two other of the
Powers referred to will ratify within 6
very short time and we have been ur
gently requested to use every possible
expedient in having the treaty con.
sidered by the Parliament of Canada.
hope, therefore. that the resolution
which 1 propose may be adopted. &
the House approves, with the least pos
| sible delay"
Fielding Makes q Point.
| Mr.. Fielding. member for SheIburn,
| and Queens and the Premier then en-
| gagged in the following colloquy:
Mr.. Fieldlng-Might 1 ask the RICH
honorable gentleman to supplement tn,
very interesting, instructive and helpful
statement he has given by answering
a question am about TO put mad which
I hope he will regard as reasonable?
a question am about to put and which
| fusal or failure on the part of the Parlia
ment of Canada to ratify the treaty. II
what manner anw in what edgree woul'
the interests of Canada, Of the empir
and theworld be effected.
| Sir Robert-The failure of Parliament
to rarify this treaty would, of course
involve the fate OF the Government
/ which presents IL to Parliament IN,
| ratification.
Mr.. Fielding-I had not that in mind
Sir Robert-That Is what would b,
/ involved. and then 1t would devolve upor
my honorable friend, or those ASSOCIATED
with him. II they should occupy tn,
treasury benches. to answer the ques
ton which he has just now asked.
Mr.. Flelding-I had not that in mint
at all. The fate Of one government o.
of one party is a small thing in tn,
presence of the story of the League o
Nations. My question was not how
will It AFFECT the state OF the honorable
gentlemen on that side or this, but wha
effect will II have upon the interest
of Canada and the interests of thu
Empire7 What would be the conse
quences as affecting any one of tn
nations concerned In this matter? VIVA
difference does 1t make to us, the EN-
pire, OF the world. IL we never ratif!
the treaty at all?
Would BE Acting Apart.
Sir Robert-It makes this difference
Canada would stand Gus OF and apar
from the rest of the Empire ratifyinI
the treaty. 1t would virtually. think
commit Canada to such absolutely in
dependent action that she could not b,
regarded in the future as acting II
cooperation with the other nations O
the Empire.
Mr.. Fielding-Would not Canada. as
part CT the Empire. be affected in al
\ her internal affairs by the ratification
of His Majesty the King. and tn,
British, Parliament
Sir Robert-His Majesty the King, ant
his advisers have recognized the RICH
of this Parliament to express its opinion