The sun., 1919-07-15
Presidents New Champion
Analyses Covenant in
Ratification Plea.
AMBIGUITY ADMITTED
Fears Peace Charter Will
Be Dismal Failure if
America Rejects 1t.
OPPOSEDTO RESERVATIONS
Other Senator's Ask if Harm
Can Be Done if Provisions
Are Made More Clear.
OPPOSEDTO RESERVATIONS
Special DespotcA to THE suS.

Special Despdtch TO THE Sun
WASHINGTON. July 14.-Senator
Swanson (Va.), as the Senatorial
mouthpiece of the President in League
Of Nations matters, delivered to-day a
defence OF the proposed league. which
was generally accepted here as repre-
senting the Presidents views. The
Senator has been in close touch with
the President since his return from
abroad
In the very beginning the Senator
declared that without the United
States any league of nations would be
a dismal failure. Withholding Ameri-
can support from the scheme, he said.
would cause the whole plan to dis
appear and be destroyed and de-
feated.
The argument heard from the very
beginning of the project that Ameri-
can entrance into II would impair
American sovereignty and freedom Of
action was answered by Senator
Swanson by citing the fact that on
two years. notice any nation could
withdraw from the league.
At great length and with infinite
pains the Senator went through the
entire covenant seeking to interpret
1t to the Senate in such fashion as
to make it appear wholly desirable
and not in any way departing from
Americas traditional attitude Of the
past,
.
Denies Danger to America.
Senator Swanson pretended to see in
he opposition to Article X. OF the Lea que
covenant the views of a faction whose
members have dreams Of territorial con-
quest by the United States In the backs
Of their heads. The Senator denied that
this part of the league scheme would
embroil the United States IN petty dis
putes over territorial rights the world
over.
In American ownership OF the Philip
pines and of the Panama Canal he saw
prizes which any nation OF the world
might well covet. and the league, he
said' would forever allay any fears OF
having to protect these possessions from
assault, because the other Powers Of
the world would be bound to share the
ourden and responsibility of putting
down any effort to take the canal or
the islands away from America.
Article by article the Senator anaIvxed
the document, giving what was accepted
as the Administrations Interpretation of
each. Concluding hts long speech, the
Senator said:
Out OF this terrible and prolon1ed
war whose terrific gloom Is only iilumi-
mated by hero!sm and sacrifice I'M
paralieied ef1erRes this League OF Ma
lions TO make complete and continuous
tne great victory won. This league will
also survive the vicious attacks OF these
news prophets of evil and will. as II gen.
erousiy distributes with each recsdIr.
year its increasing blessings TO mankind
De known as the worlds greatest charter
of peace 'e'
MT. President. tho pathway OF our
outy IL plain. We should neither host,
talc nor hait but firmly align ourselves
win the forces that arc working for
world oettermcnt With strong arms
ana brave hearts let us faithfully dis
charge our responsibilities as the worlds
greatest Power and fearlessIv Iaca =
bN''rOIb US 10 greater
glory ara usefulness. Let us NOT n.
frightened by our own prodlgious shadov
,'s II projects Itself In world affairs.
irt US not be deferred from our n,onI,o,,
uu'y ana destiny by a craven fear ~
neconning great In giving service ana
TO world In the direst hour
OF Its need and distress"
HeckIed on Monroe Doc,,,
When Mr.. Swanson concluded his I'D
uress Senator Kellogg, Republicsn
~. = H"i.t'II - ASKED In view OF the Senator's
statement that tho Monroe Doctrira ,s
excepted from the Jurisdiction Of ths
itsSsue OF Nations under the covenant. n
there could be any objection TO the Ser-
tion. " '"'''''u-
THAT might delay the ratification q,
the treaty" said Mr.. Swanson. He sai6
ne was satisfied the Monroe Doctrine
is clearly and distinctly reserved 10 The
United states in the covenant
III that is the proper construction 10
De placed on that clause" asked Senator
heiloHg' can there be any harm IN the
Senate so stating in It's T tihcation~'
cannot say what effect that would
have on It," replied Senator Swanson.
lhere Is something a little ambiguous
In that section"
Senator Kellogg insls-I.I ties ". Mon.
roe Doctrine has not been recognized In
an; treaty or international! engagement
lie said that under the wording OF tho
article In the covenant the DoctrinS
might be classed as an International en-.
gasement and not as a regional under
standing.
Referring to Article XIV OF the covenant
In which II is provided that II a dispute
between two parties Is framed by one OF
them and In found by the council to arise
out OF matter which by international
law is solely within the domestic juris-
diction OF that party. the council shall
go report and shall make no recomnenda.
ton 5 TO its settlement, Senator Kellogg
said:
Il understand the Senator TO say that