Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-08-07
WANT RESERVATIONS
AS PART OF TREATY
Proposal of Seven Republican
Senators Not Intended to
Stand Simply as a Detached
Interpretation by the Senate
PROGRAM AGREED UPON
The Reservations Are Embodied in Pro-
posed Ratification Mcasure-Unre-
served Ratification of League Now
Thought Impossible

Washington. Aug. 1.-The reservation
proposal agreed to by seven republican
senator's as the basis of ratification Of
the League of Nations covenant is so
worded. it became known tonight that
the reservations and understands'
enumerated shall become "a part of the
treaty and shall not stand simply as a
detached Interpretation by the Senate
Nhle some Of the sponsors of the pro-
gram regard it as merely interpretative
III erect clarifying the language of the
covenant without changing the meaning
or any provision, others of the seven be-
iiove it goes further and greatly softens
certain features which, they say, violate
national rights
Inc reservations as agreed TO in definite
terms are embodied in a proposed ratifca-
ton resolution reading as follows.
That the Senate of the United States
advise and consent to the ratification Of
said treaty with the following reservations
and understandings to be made a part
Of the treaty by the instrument of
ratification:
Il That whenever the two years notice
of withdrawal from the League of Ma
tons shall have been given by the United
states as provided in article one, the
United States shall be the sole judge
whether all its international obligations
and all its obligations under this covenant
snail have been fulfilled at the time or
withdrawal.
"2. That the suggestions Of the coun-
ell of the League of Nations as to the
means of carrying the obligations of
article ten into effect are only advisory
and that any understanding under the
provisions of article ten. the execution of
which may require the use of American
military or naval forces or economic
measures, can under the constitution be
carried out only by the action of the
Congress- and that the failure of the
Congress to adopt the suggestions of the
council or of the league, or to provide
such military or naval forces or economic
measures. shall not constitute 4 violation
of the treaty.
%. The United States reserves to itself
the right to decide what questions are
within its domestic jurisdiction and de-
clares that all domestic and political ques-
tons relating to its internal affairs, in
Guiding immigration, coastwise traffic, the
tariff, commerce and ali other purely do
nestle questions. are solely within the
jurisdiction of the United States and are
not by this covenant submitted in any
way either to arbitration or to the con-
sideration of the council or the assembly
of the League of Nations or TO the deci-
sion or recommendation of any other
power.
"a. The United States does not bind it,
self to submit for arbitration or inquiry
by the assembly or the council any ques-
ton which in the Judgment of the United
States depends upon or involves its long
established policy commonly known as the
,r,..
affected by any provision in the said
treaty contained"
The seven republicans who agreed to
this proposal as a basis for the effort to
bring on middle ground senators of
both parties who favor the league plan
in general outline, were Senators McNary
of Oregon, McCumber of North Dakota.
Colt of Rhode Island Spencer of Missouri.
Cummins of Iowa, Kellogg of Minnesota
and Lenroot of Wisconsin.
League opponents declared to-day that
all possibility of unreserved ratification
Of the league had been removed by the
willingness Of Senators McCumber and
McNary. regarded as the warmest friends
of the league among the republican ma
jority to accept reservations.
President Wilson submitted a short
protocol to the Versailles treaty con-
tanning a number of supplementary pro-
visions and Chairman Lodge put into
the record an agreement hitherto unpub-
lished in this country. in which Mr.. Will
son and Premier Clemenceau and Lloyd
George had embodied certain regulations
for the government of the Rhine provinces
Mr.. Lodge also presented a copy of the
treaty between the big five" powers and
Poland. not yet submitted to the Senate
fo,