The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1919-07-28

a light-hearted view of conditions in the
world 10 assume that the proposed plan
viii guarantee peace or bring about a
cessation of intrigue and of the rivalries
or interest or prevent nations which
cannot protect themselves from being
compelled to yield TO unjust demands
where for any reason great powers
deem resistance inexpedient Rather
the proposed covenant should be viewed
as a mere beginning and while il Il inn
portant that we should have a begin
ming. It Is equally important that we
should not make n false start"
In proposing four reservations TO the
league covenant. Hughes stated that IF
the senate gives its assent to the treaty
with reservations the concurrence of the
president Will Still be necessary as rati-
hcation will not be complete without his
action. and responsibility for a refusal
to give ratification with the reserva-
tons a sadopted by the senate as a part
of the instrument of ratification. would
thus lie with the president"
In discussing how reservations adopt
ed by the senate would affect other ma
tions signatory to the treaty. Hughes
wrote:
Assuming that the reservations are
made part of the instrument of ratihca-
ton. the other parties to the treaty will
be notified accordingly. AS n contract.
the treaty of course will bind only those
who consent To it. The nation MAXIM
reservations as a part of the instrument
of ratification is not bound further thai
1t agrees TO be bound. And if a reser-
walton, as a part of the ratification.
makes a material addition TO. or a sub
stantial change in the proposed treaty.
other parties Will not be bound unless
they assent. 1t should be added that
where a treaty is made on the part of a
number Of nations. they may acquiesce
in a partial ratification on the part Of
one or more.
But there is simply a statement of
the interpretations placed by the rati-
flying statement upon ambiguous clauses
in the treaty. whether or not the state
ment IS called a reservation. the case is
really not one or amendment and
acquiescence OF the other parties TO the
treaty may readily be inferred unless
express objection is made after notice
has been received Of the ratification
with the interpretativo statement FORM
ing part Of it.
Statements to safeguard our inter
ests. which clarity ambiguous clauses
in the covenant by setting forth our in
depreciation of them and especially
when the Interpretation is one which is
urged by the advocates of the covenant
TO induce support can meet with nc
reasonable objection. 1t is not to be
supposed that such interpretations will
be opposed by other parties TO tbs
treaty and they will end TO avoid dis
putes in the future. Nor should we as.
sumo that q reservation would lead &c
the failure of the treaty or to compel &
| resumption of the peace conferenc,
I when the reservation leaves ~unimpairec
the main provisions of the covenant
looking to the peaceful settlement OF
disputes and the organizations of con.
f%erences and simply seeks to avoid any
apparent assumption of an obligation
on our part to join in q war at some
definite time in the future for a cause
the merits of which cannot now be fore
seen. as 1t is evident that in such a case
we must inevitably await the future &C
tion of congress in accordance with what
then be the demand of the conscience Of
the nation"
The four reservations proposed by
Hughes follow:
"Ffrst-That whenever two years no.
tice of withdrawal from the league OF
nations shall have been given as pro