Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-09-25
us. TREATY DELAY
SURPRISES PARIS
CIemenceau Sees Alliance Pro-
tecting France Even If
League Is Defeated
BARTHOU Is SKEPTICAL

Paris, Sept. 2j.-The possibility of
nonratifcation of the peace treaty and
the covenant of the league of nations
by the United States Senate, the con-
sequences, in such event, TO the guar
antees for the future of France and the
question whether the league of nations
could exist without the United States
as a member, occupied the entire after
Moons debate in the Chamber of
Deputies.
The vote in the United States Senate
Tuesday postponing consideration of one
of the amendments is regarded here as
significant and caused surprise in the
French chamber. Louis Barthou re-
peatedly asked the government for ex-
plantations
Andre Tardicu aud NJ Pichon, the
foreign minister, replied, but the cham
Der was not satisfied. Premier Clcmcn-
ceau then said that even in the event
of the United States Senate not voting
for the league OF nations covenant, the
league could exist The treaties con
stituting a protective alliance between
France. Great Britain uud the United
States. he added. were not dependent
upon the league. They would come into
force, and France would be protected.
What II L. S. Doesn't Ratify?
During the course Of VI. THrdieu's
speech NJ. Barthou interrupted and
demanded an immediate reply as to
what situation France would be placed
in should the United States not ratify.
He added that it was through dclicaCy
he had refrained from asking this ques-
tion before. as he wished and hoped
that the Senate would finally begin
the discussion and reach its conclusion.
but now this seemed hopeless. and the
question must be settled Immediately, as
American ratification was distant, ''if
il occurred at all.
NJ. Tardou declared that he person
ally was satisfied that the United
States Senate would ratify tho treaty.
NJ BarthOu COuntcred. saving that
he was far from satisfied. and citing the
vote of forty three to forty on Sen
ator Lodges motion for po>tpon"ment
as "a fair warning of the ultimat" fate
of the pact. "
" FIchons reply that illegally
speaking" the league could exist with
out America participation DfONSnI
the retort from NJ. Barthou that what
France wanted was political guaran-
tees. not legal guarantees. Hs asserted
that the government must face the
issue Immediately.
League and Alliance Separate
Premier ClemPnCcau said:
"Should the United States reject the
league of nations, two treaties of ALI
ance between France and Great Britain
and France ard the United States exist.
Nevertheless, it was precisely because
we felt that the league of nations was
an insufficient guarantee for some years
to come that these treaties wer" drawn
up. The league of nations for the
present has nothing to do with the
Franco British American treaties.
which constitute sufficient guarantees
for France"
IA NJ. CIemenceau added that the league
,f nations would not take up the re-
sponsibilities and guarantees entered
into by the treaties unless it was de .
cided to do so by two thirds majority
when the league was completely organ
lied and operating.
"If you are seeking to adjourn the
debate until America ratifcs the
treaty" he said. ''you may do so, but
you shall do :" without MS"