The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-24


to be and all that We have the right to
claim II TO be-
These interpretations, II seems to me
reasonably answer all the reasonable or
| sincere criticisms made against the
| league except as they are met by the
single reservation as TO Article Y, which
| IL suggested at the close. Mr.. Root in
his letter to you. proposed that the oper-
alton OF Article y. be limited to Ave
years. when the settlements of tho war
should be reexamined, with the View to
| the further operation of the article after
a resettlement. Influenced by some direct
| information that l have as to the atti-
! tude of France in respect TO Article X,
| ! am confident that the period of FIVE
years Ia not long enough for this stabil-
| iZation and does not offer the security
which France eagerly seeks under the
| league or by supplemental treaty /
think. therefore. that the cautionary in
| fuence of the league would he greatly
strengthened by lengthening this period
| from five to ten years 1t seems to me
| that ought to be done by the formal
exercise of the right to withdraw as a
member Of the league after ten years by
| giving a notice to that effect.
| THE nations of the league can be
|
| the United States will withdraw the
notice and continue to bear its part OF
the worlds burden in securing the bene-
! fits OF the league, II those benefits are
| apparent after ten years trial The
provision, however may tend TO satisfy
doubters in respect to the league by
requiring for Its extension beyond ten
years the affirmative action of the Presi-
| dent and two-thirds OF the Senate IN
| faN NJ he twla
OF a decade,
| Meantime should the failure of the
league be apparent before the expira-
| ton of the ten years the withdrawal
clause gives US full opportunity to end
7 our relation to the league by a two
years notice.
"a venture to think that my SUCCESS
tons are not amendments. but only in
terpretations or action authorized by
the league itself don't think they
VIII weaken In any substantial way the
forcihle effect of the league. and ! hope
that they may remove the qualms and
lanxious concern OF friends OF the league
whose votes are necessary TO ratify IL.
Sincerely yours.
"WiLLIAM II. TAFT"
"My Dear val: Referring To your
telephone to me this Sunday morning l
understand you to agree with me that II
would be unwise at this time to bring
my suggestions to the attention Of Mr..
Root, Senator Lodge or OF the Repub-
licans ranged In general opposition TO the
ratification of the league without reser-
vations. What fear IL that IL these
reservations come TO knowledge of such
opponents of the league. their author
snip VIII at once prompt opposition to
them. ] understood you to say that at
a later time an open statement by me
tn hA In ahaR
lterpretstions and reservations as a
proper basis of compromise might be
useful In securing the acquieseence of
some Republicans and the needed sup
port of the Democrats
II am ready at any time when II 10
thought to be useful, 10 make such q
statement. but ] don't wish TO make II
when 1t will merely create confusion
worse COMPOUNDED. have opened COM
munication on the subject with the three
Senators whose votes l hope may defeat
radical reservations in ths nature of
| amendments likely TO come from the
majority in the Foreign Relations Com
mittee. These recommendations have to
be voted for by Borah In order to bring
them out OF the committee, IL, as hope,
McCumhGr will vote against them.
After their defeat which hope may be
votes, with three Republican,. against
them, then the deadlock will be on.
Il Fate of Treaty At Stake.
The Democrats and three Republic
cans can defeat amendments but they
cannot Fatlfy tho treaty. Sixteen more
Republicans are needed. We may be
sure there are that number of Rspub-
licans who are friendly to the League OF
Nations and are anxious TO ratify the
treaty and relieve the Republican party
from the burden OF defeating IT, We
can be sure also that the Democrats
who favor the treaty will be anxious
to have a rAtihdati en, II not without
reservations then with reservations that
do not destroy It's effect
ut is at such time. / conceive, wnen
suggestions of the character / have made
can perhaps be useful Ny view, there
fore. is that you would better keep our
correspondence confidential until the Issue
Is thus clearly dawn. Then It may be
J possible for me 10 hs useful with the
Democrats. because they know J am In
J favor OF ratification of the treaty with
out reservation or amendment. 10 pos
sihie, and thus stand with them. Uh-
deTatAhd me, have no desire to appear
as the author OF a compromise, and
am entirely Willing and anxious to sup
press my relation II by 80 doing 1t will
facilitate a satisfactory ratifcation OF
the treaty. ] only wish to help where
and when ] can. and I wish TO avoid in
jnury to the cause by complete self
effacement, II that will help.
II am glad to know from you that
, you approve the compromise have sug-
gested and that you believe In keeping
the matter CONFIDENTIAL until later
time. when Il may be useful TO act.
feel thai II would perhaps be wiser not
L to consult Mr.. Root at all. and certainly
not Mr.. Lodge and his sympathetiSras-
sociates on tbs Foreign Relations