New-York tribune., 1919-10-21
American Diplomatic and
Military Participation Is
Not To Be Premature,
Government Announces
No Troops to Silesia
Baker Says He Could Not
Defy Reservations and
Send Soldiers Abroad

WASHINGTON. Oct. 20-Taking
notice Of reports that the United
States might aid in carrying out pro-
visions Of the peace treaty in advance
of the pact's ratification by the Senate
the Administration announced to-day
that American diplomatic and military
participation in certain Of these pro-
visions must wait until tho Senate
has acted.
At the State Department it was de-
clared this government could not
accept the invitation of the supreme
council at Versailles to take a place
Immediately on the international COM
missions set up by the treaty, and at
the War Department it was made clear
that no American troops would be
used without Senate sanction to police
districts where the treaty provides for
plebiscites under the military super
vision of the great powers.
The two announcements were made
simultaneously and generally were
accepted in the Senate, where the
possibility Of premature American
participation in the treaty has been
one Of the storm centres Of criticism
as amounting to an Administration
declaration of policy on this subject
Senators or both s.des Of ths treaty
controversy expressed the opinion
privately tonight that the Administers
tion stand would aid in Fastening the
final rollcall on ratification.
Not Going to Silesin
In his announcement regarding the
use of American troops, Secretary
Baker denied specifically suggestions
made in the Senate debate tha. 5000
soldiers recently sent to Coblenz were
to proceed to Upper Silesia and help
in the plebiscite there prior to Ameri-
partment realized fully that it would
have no authority to take such step
il Senate reservation forbidding it
were adopted. and added that in the
circumstances there was no desire to
anticipate Senate action.
A reservation on this subject and
one limiting American participation in
tho various diplomatic commissions to
be created arc in preparation, although
it is understood that there has been no
complete agreement regarding either
among the Senate ma iority.
One effect of the State Dcpa rtment's
announcement was 20 set at rest re
ports that President Wilson might dis
regard the advice of the Foreign Rela-
tions Committee and name an Amer
ican to act unofficially on the rcpara-
tions commissio When he asked the
committees consent to suchla step come
weeks ago, it replied that neither it
nor the Executive had any authority to
put treaty provisions into force until
ratification had been accomplished
Financial ENJOYS on Job
1t is understood, however. that fnsn-
cial advisers now in Europe to look
after Treasury Department business
and American financial and trade inter
csts generally will keep in close touch
with the work Of the commission after
it is created. The Administration is
known to regard the commissions task
of collecting Germany's reparation bill
and supervising European financial re-
habiltation as ono directly affecting
IaI1Ct iChI iiIid'iNC anu COIIptCACE
The other great powers arc said to
be eager that tho United States have
full representation from the start on
this and several other commissions to
be Organized, and there has been con-
side rable speculation among Senators
as to how far that desire was reflected
in the decision at Paris not to put the
treaty Immediately into effect as re-
CARDS the nations that have ratified it,.
When this decision was announced last
week it was said the delay was due to
inability Immediately to bring some of
the treaty provis ions into operation.
Reading of Treaty Completed
Formal reading Of the treaty was
completed by the Senate to-day, leav
ing the Johnson and Moses amend
ments as the only business to be dis
posed Of before considc ring reserva-
tions.
The Foreign Relations Committee
was called to meet Wednesday to pass
on the program of fourteen rese rvations
outlined in The Tribune to-day
Most Of the debate this week will be
on the johnson amendment giving the
United States an equal vote with the
British Empire in the league assembly.
1t is thought both amendments may be
disposed Of by Wednesday or Thurs
day
There begins to be some doubt, once
the reservation program has been
adopted by the Senate, that Admins
tration Leader Hitchcock can hold the
Democrats to his deadlock plan. Many
of the Democratic Senator'S have ex-
pressed the view that Mr.. Hitchcock
could not get them to vote against q
ratification resolution merely for the
purpose of forcing delay in the hope
of obtaining concessions in making
reservations milder
Senator McCumber, the best friend
the treaty and league have on the Re-
publican side, insisted to-day it was
up to the Republican friends of the
treaty TO win over enough Democratic
Senators to ratify without Hitchcock
and his followers. and without the
AZ ,-s ail L, l,law