The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-17
President Asserts Changes
Would Leave Opening for
japanese Reservations.
INSISTS UPON DRAFT
Contends That Republicans
Have MiscOnstrued the
Terms of Document.
PERMITS WITHDRAWAL
Points Out That He Was Sole
DOubter and Raised the
Question Himself.
PERMITS WITHDRAWAL
By LAURENCE HILLS,
stag Correspondent Of TIE SUN.
Copyright. 1919: all rights reserred.

Std0 Core espondent Of TIE SUN.
Copyright 1919: all rights reserved.
PARIS, March 16.-In justification
of the stand that President Wilson
has taken here that the covenant of
the League of Nations should be
adopted Immediately virtually a.
drawn. the explanation advanced I'm
friendly circles Is that the President
still believes that no new point has
been raised by the opposition In the
United States and that the difference
between his and the Republican view
point is chiefly one OF construction.
This may cause some surprise to
the Republicans. who believe they
have raised many objections of q new
character. The President is repre-
sented rs holding that most of the
points that have been raised are
covered in the covenant. For
example, the point that a stipulation
should be inserted that any nation
would have the right to withdraw ut
any time is met by the assertion
that the covenant as drawn allows
this
President Raised the Point,
Regarding this feature. those ac-
quainled with the proceedings of the>
committee which prepared the cove
nant say that of all the members the
President was the only one doubtful
about lliS ana raised the point him.
self. being then convinced that the
covenant did not preclude the with
drawal of any nation.
All questions raised by the Repub-
licanS in regard to sovereignty ths.
president now waves aside apparently
as prompted by refusal to construp
the covenant aS he conStrues II. his
construction leaving no doubt on these
points.
The Monroe Doctrine admittedly
is not one of these points turning on
construction, as Senator Lodge de
mands an explicit reservation Re
garding this the Presidents position,
according to his friends, is absolutely
unchanged. He holds that provi-
sion to that effect could not be IN
serted in the covenant without giving
Japan the right, which She would In
siSt upon, Of making the same reser-
walton in regard Ia the Far East.
May Approve slight Changes.
The President may approve a few
changes suggested Ivy other Powers
and perhaps II slight verbal alteration
in Article n, as suggested by critics
in the United States. Indications are
that the latter will be the only al
tcration in the present covenant re
sulting from his visit TO America.
The feeling Of thr President is that
the opposition has not been specl1r
In Wilson circles il is pointed ont
that no reply has been received 10
the invitation sent from here to GER
tain Republicans to submit specific
for consideration.
This invitation. however, was ad-
iHllltNIA IIlhIIH anu lHNlINtl.
Almost all the Presidents time now
is being devoted to the Italian ques-
iion, the climax Of which was indi-
'atcd by three interviews he had with
rfrmlcr Orlando [Yotcrddr~ This
really explains his absence from tn"
meeting. Rumor> that Italy
had threatened To withdraw from
Paris If the decision is not in her
favor are denied fatty. but the feel
nS is strong.
The food and financial questions
are being settled in manner very
10 the Americans. 1t is
Enown NOW that the blockade Of Ger
many will be- lifted entirely with the
signing Of the treaty. The Americans
won their point regarding the Use OF
the German gold, pcmdin: export
'reditS, In payment for food and In
getting the blockade lifted immcdi
ltcly aS regards certain exports, all
his being in line with the Presidents
policy here
COUNCIL FAVORABLE