South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-24

vented the adoption OF the plan OF
the League 20 Enforce Peace in re-
spect 20 an international court and
the settlement OF tusticable ques-
tons.
Hostility ArOuscs Criticism.
The attitude OF hostility toward
the president has aroused criticism
and opposition which might have
been avoided had he taken with
him such a man as Mr.. Root and
two representatives OF the foreign
relations committee in the senate.
The criticisms thus aroused have
stirred the conscience Of number
OF repu blican senators and have en-
dangered the ratification OF the
league by two-thirds of the senate.
Mr. Wilson = Influence with his
democratic supporters in the SEN
ate will. secure perhaps As votes.
Nineteen republican votes are need
ed. and the question is how they
can be secured. / don't think they
can be secured except by relieving
their consciences through reassGr-
ing interpretations OF the league. of
such a character that they are like
cans TO ratify the treaty and secure
negotiation and conference and de-
lay by the other nations who die
tated the peace. After consideration
of the arguments made on the sub
ject, I have formulated these inter
pretations and reservations with
the hope that they will suggest
basis OF agreement between the
democrats and sufficient republi-
To repeat. l am strongly in IA
US the inestimabie benefit of a
league of nations which will be the
foundation for growth and develop
ment into a new era in our interna-
tional relations.
Attitude of Majority.
The attempt of such men as
Sen. Borah. Sen. Johnson. Sen.
Sherman and others to defeat the
treaty. and the deliberate exaggera-
ton Of the Shantung feature of the
/ treaty. do not, / think, indicate the
attitude of the majority of the re-
publican party in the senate. and I
/ do not think that any attention
/ should be paid to the suggestion
| that the treaty be amended in its
provisions with reference TO the re-
arrangement Of the map of the re-
! gion Of the war
/ " to be accepted without further
/ vor OF ratifying the treaty as it is.
Were l in the senate / would not
hesitate to vote for it, but the stu
]
cure ratification. and 1 suggest
what 1 have already sent to you, a
copy of which 1 enclaie, as some
thing that will secure a useful
League of Nations. which may be
improved and which at the same
time may satisfy the genuine OBJ
jections OF republican friends Of the
! league in the senate.
Coming now 20 specific interpre-
tations, it seems TO me that the first
achieves all that the craftsmen OF
the withdrawal clause intended and
as thus interpreted relieves that
! clause from a possible construction
/ by which the actual withdrawal on
/ two years notice might be greatly
hindered through the claims of the
other members of the league.
The Second Meaning.
The second Interpretation has ia
do with the presence in the league
as members, of self governing do
minions or colonies Of a home gov
eminent, also a member. Certainly
in a small body like that OF the
council. it would be unfair to have
home government represented
and also one of its dominions OF
colonies. and I cannot think 1t was
the intention of the trainers OF tn,
covenant that this might happen
Yet 1 am bound to say that such Z
result is not excluded by the pres
ent language of the covenant il
Article Y and Article XIV, nor doe
the language of Article XIV neces
sarily exclude from the tribunal L
recommend a settlement of a dis
pute, a home govern ent where
one of it's dominions or colonies Il
a party. nor does ii necessarily ex
clude a dominion or colony from
such tribunal where the home gov.