New-York tribune., 1919-08-02

his choice of words as most people COM
monty believed.
Senator Watson discovered that the
President did not oppose the purpose
or three of the reservations which
senator Watson regards as essential.
The President is, however, very strong
y'opposcd to a reservation on Article
X. Mr.. Wilson said that the intcrprc-
tation Of this article which the Sen
ators desire to make is the interprc-
tation commonly placed on the article
by the other nations.
"Then if that is so, Mr.. President.
why not make it very clear that this
is the meaning of the article by de-
claring the understanding of the
United States and asking the other ma
tions to accept that understanding as
part of the .agreemcnt?" asked Mr..
Watson.
Against Any Delay
The President said, in effect, that if
this were done every other nation
would pick out this word and that
word and make reservation in regard
to their understanding of what it
meant.
Senator Watson said he did not be-
lleve American interests ought to be
sacrificed to prevent other nations from
declaring their understanding of the
league.
To this the President replied that if
such thing happened, the whole
winter would be taken up with the eff
fort to have the league ratified.
The Indiana Senator said he did not
think a little delay would hurt the
eventual effectiveness of the league.
That would be very we'll, the Prcsi-
dent answered, were it not for the dan
ger that some of the European nations
would break down before the agree
ment could be completed. If the league
of nations is once established, the Pres
ldent said, these nations can be taken
care of and held up.
"Mr. President" said Watson, in re-
ply to this, 81 believe our strength has
been due to our absolute independence
of all others, and believe we can help
the others more by remaining strong
ourselves than by weakening ourselves
in vain attempt to hold them up. |
believe that our effectiveness in the
war and all that you were able to ac
complish in the peace conference were
the results of the strong and indie
pendent position occupied by the United
Sta tes."
Left to Own Resources
The President partly agreed with
this statement, but again urged condi-
tlons in Europe as the reason why the
Senate Immediately should ratify the
league without reservations. A little
later the Russian situation was men
toned, and the President said worry
over Russia occupied much of the at
tention of the peace conference, and it
was finally agreed that Russia should
70 a tO ko,
II believe that the other nations will
have to be left to work out their own
salvations, with our friendly aid" an
swered Mr.. Watson.
The Senator also told Mr.. Wilson he
could never vote for the Shantung sec
ton, even if all else were satisfactory
The text Of the Rhine occupation
agreement. as presented by Senator
Lodge. follows:
"The allied and associated powers
did not insist on making the period Of
occupation last until the reparation
clauses were completely executed be-
would be obliged to give every proof
OF her good will and every necessary
guarantee before the end of the fifteen
years time
CAS- the cost Of occupation involves
an equivalent reduction Of the amount
available for reparations, the allied and
associated powers stipulated by Article
431, Of the treaty. that if before the
end of the fifteen-year period Germany
had fulfilled all her obligations under
the treaty the troops of occupation
should be Immediately withdrawn.
Discusses Occupation
"lf Germany, at an earlier date. has
given proofs Of her good will and salts
factory guarantees to assure the fulfil
ment of her obligations, the allied and
associated powers concerned will be
ready to come to an agreement be-
tween themselves and for the earlier
termination of the period Of occupa-
ton
Now and henceforward in order to
alleviate the burden of the raparation
bill, they agree that as soon as the
allied and associated powers concerned
are convinced that the conditions of
disarmament by Germany are being
satisfactorily fulfilled the annual
amount of the sums to be paid by Ger
many to cover the cost of OCCUPATION
shall not exceed 10000, 900 marks gold
This provision can be modified if the
allied and associated powers agree as
to the necessity of such notifications.
"WOODROW WILSON.
&C CLEMENCEAU.
I'D. LLOYD GEORGE.
Sixteenth Of June, 1919"