The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-14
ably some would like 10 have the cove
ne nj n~no M chic nrxJaoI

ably some would like 10 have the cove
inant escape this ordeal.
That the situation Is causing deep
concern Is evident from the interest
that the President has taken in the
Japanese matter. japan to-day, as one
of the Big Five named In the cove
nant, Is In a position to defy the
Peace Conference and withdraw, thus
dealing a blow not only at the cove
nant but at the whole Peace Congress.
That a treaty could be made without
Japan no one Of course questions. Con-
Germ Is chiefly for the League OF Ma
tons, which might have a hard time
in It's weakened state to survive such
q blow
Confusing reports regarding last
nights discussion are exciting much
interest here. From sources that can
be relied upon Information was OBJ
tanned that of the six votes against
the Japanese proposition originally APP
jparently all were withdrawn except
me British.
japanese Remain silent.
manding their return to Toxic imme'
diately II they were unsuccessful
What action they will take is mat
ter of the greatest speculation; the
Japanese themselves are silent.
Whether they agreed, IN case Presi-
dent wilso Issues a statement, tina,
they would make no further trouble is
one Of the interesting questions.
II is believed that the support Of
Elihu Root, William II. Taft and
others will insure enough Republican
votes in the Senate to ratify the
treaty, although the possibility that
the constitutional question will be
raised In regard to the pledges taken
against any breaker OF the covenant is
seen and conceded by many.
Except for the Japanese matter the
President regards the League Of Ma
tons as already an accomplished fact
and, despite its imperfectionss the
GROWING achievement here. However,
this feeling is not found elsewhere. II
the covenant can be steered safely
through the plenary session 1t will be
incorporated in the treaty to oblige the
President and enable him to present
and the league tied together. The
President is counting on the support of
Elihu Root, believeing that by the
action taken on the Monroe Doctrine
hs went further than Mr.. Roots sug-
gestion Of merely making a reserva-
ton over the signature.
Guarantee of LegisIation.
Such concern over the discussion In
he Senate as is manifested Is chiefly
in regard to Article XVI, which car
ries a guarantee of legislation by
future Congresses II certain contin-
sencies arise. Failure to pass such
legislation might put the United
States in the position OF a covenant
breaker. Outside Of this there remains
the general objection that the cove
nant commits the United States to in
ternationalism. which the President
regards without fear.
While President Wilson's friends
are preparing to claim great credit for
him in the final inclusion OF the Mon
roe Doctrine in the covenant. the real
story of the situation would show that
tho President was opposed absolutely
to such action Until certain Republic
cans showed him what the result
would be. One Of the most active per-
sons hero has been Frank II. Hitch
cock, who was accepted as being in
close touch with the Republican situa-
ton and who did much to convince the
Presidents friends Of the seriousness
Of the Republican opposition to the ex-
clusion of the Monroe Doctrine.
Foreigners Blame President.
The Presidents disappointment IN
the final form Of the covenant is known
to be keen, and II Is not unlikely that
criticism will cause him to blame the
Republicans for bringing about its
weak character. On the other hand
blame is placed on the President In
many foreign circles because he did
not face realities at the start and con-
cede that national tendencies and con
stitutional inhibitions would make i'm
possible league such as he had PROM
Used the war weary peoples.
Expert international students could
have told him. II Is pointed out here
that the supernational idea alone
would wreck these hopes. In diplo
matte circles here, even In unbiased
neutral circles. diplomats attribute
what has happened to the failure o.
tho President to try to work out the
idea in concrete form on paper before
he aroused in the multitude a belle
that he had found a preventive o.
wars for that is plainly what the pro
ietariat OF Europe seems to have ex
\ pected and to that belief is attributed
the Presidents remarkable reception
here.
british stood I'm the Way.
Concern is felt now as to the extern
20 which the reaction will go. Tt
many It would seem that the British
while getting much into the covenant
had stood in the way Of the Presiden
and prevented him from including
many OF his points. Both the Presi
dent and Col. z. NJ. House wanted
compulsory arbitration clause, but tn
British refused to consent to this al
most from the beginning. Further
more, the proposition requiring unan
unity first came from the British.
On the other hand. It should not b
forgotten that the American Const
tuition also would have barred thes
provisions, although originally TIL
President was not inclined to ADM
this.