The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-10-29
FOREIGN powers
OPPOSED TO SCION
TREATY CHANGES
Wording of Reservations and
Preamble Seen as Danger.
GUS to Sovereign Nations in
Future and Is Not Liked.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
(speeiSl ceErekponsent Of The News
Seimitarl

BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
tspselsl c~oFresponssnt Of The News
SeiHnitar.)
WASHINGTON. Oct. 29.-Forelgn
governments do not like the rSserva-
tons 70 the peace treaty that have
been adopted By the committee Of for
eign relations OF the United States SEN
ne. Thty are hopeful that the United
states VIII never present the r~eserva-
tlons as al present phrased TO the vaTi-
U foreign offices Of the principal
powers for acceptance because an Awk-
ward situation, unprecedented in diplo.
macy. might present Itself, For while
the different governments have no OBJ
lection 10 reservations or interpreted
tions that define just how America un-
derstapds the treaty TO apply or the
provisions OF the league Of nations 10
optrats, they most decidedly wish to be
kept free from interference as between
the legislative M executive depart
mfnts Of the United States govern
meht.
Information as to the attitude which
would be assumed by the principal pow
ers can be obtained by inquiry at any
Of the foreign offices Of Europe or their
diplomatic representatives abroad be-
oause there Is q definite feeling that the
preamble adopted by The senate com.
France, Italy ana Japan 10 accept the
American reservations before they can
be valid Is embarrassing.
Had the senate specified its reserva-
tons and left II to foreign powers TO
remain silent, thereby Indicating act
that the governments OF Great Britain,
France, Italy and Japan must express
themselves, Should the point be pressed
by the senate, Il Is most certain that
some Of the governments would decline
10 say anything on certain Of the reser-
vations which they regard as purely a
question Of American sovereignty.
Would Be Danger.
For instance the reservation which
specifies Just how the American repre-
s~eptatlvAs 70 The league Of nations shall
be appointed, how the president is re-
quired 70 secure the approval OF con.
gress for all appointments, and how APP
preparations for the expenses Of Amer
ica's part in the league shall affect the
action OF the American representatives
ALI these things are matters which
foreign governments say they ought not
be asked to pass upon as they incolvo
constitutional functions as between the
legislative and executive branches of a
sovereign nation.
They do not want to be burdened by
a transference Of sovereignty. They DO
not wish to establish any precedent
whereby IL might be assumed that for
eian governments can dictate just now
any nation shall choose its represeta-
tlves in the league of nations. They do
not want to be involved in any con-
stitutional controversy that may arise
a. 10 the power Of tina president OF the
United States under the constitution TO
conduct the foreign relations OF the
United states or the power Of conerss
by an act OF ratification to insist that
both houses Of congress instead Of sen.
ate alone must approve Of presidential
appointments to a league Of nations.
AS to the reservations, moreover,
which would place the United States
on record as withholding It's assent TO
those provisions OF the peace treaty
that relate to the shantung settlement,
thS attitude o. Japan, tor instance can
cspt reservation affirming the right Of
the United States TO withhold Its assent
without being placed in the position OF
condemning the settlement herself.
Similarly France. Great Britain and
Italy signed treaties with Japan pledg-
ing thstnselves 70 support her views On
ready, through their parliaments, for
maliy given their assent to the shan.
tung settlement. They could not re-
verse Themselves.
Gould Escape Crisis.
On the other hand. II the foreign gov
eTnIlents were not required to express
themselves formally as accepting or re-
tseting tha reservations proposed by the
United states senate, IT would be pos
sent. whils Great Britain, France, Italy
and even Japan made no comment
whatsoever thus leaving the United
States free to bring the matter up N
future meetings Of league Of nations
without embarrassment.
Foreign governments plainly do not
wish 10 become involved In American
political controversies, They are fulS
informed from day to day concerning
the contest going on IN the American
senate and they consider IL advisable tC
say nothing In public that could bt
construed as leaning toward the exec
uttve or legislative branches Of the gov.
eminent OF the United States, Hardy
any OF them, for instance, would OBJ
ject TO Q reservation specifically Stat
Ing what the Monroe doctrine Is or how
II should be applied. They recognize
Il as an American doctrine and there,
fore as capable OF Interpretation onl,
by the United states, but they. woult
an absolute acceptance OF n inter
probation whatsoever which may here
after be expressed by the United States
That, they say, would be signing
blank check. They, too, must holt
themselves free to accept or reject II
diplomatic controversies that nigh
arise any extension by the United
States government OF its powers owe
: other sovereign governments who ma.
be members Of the league, Ia such al
/ extension as an exaggerated notion Q
/ what the Monroe doctrine Originally
contemplated or has been hitherto un
, derstood as meaning,
Foreign governments Will accept som
/, reservations. but they would prefer tina
B America in rAtifying the treaty refrhii
from asking the powers 10 approve he
points specifically, They fear that N
door might be opened TO reservation
{ sought in their own countries where tn
. treaty has already been ratified hu
4 whore opposition parties would seize IN
opportunity to reopen the whole bust
ness.
American reservations, II modified !
. scope and " stripped Of the preamhl
requiring direct assent by the principe
powers but they would pet under sue
circumstances voice any ~disapproval bu
would facility accept the senate reserva
lions by the act of receiving the Unite
states into the league Of nations and b
an exchange Of notifications whie
would mean that they legally held tina
the United states had ratified III
treaty.
Copyright, 1918, by David Lawrence.
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