Great Falls daily tribune., 1919-10-15
THE COMPROMISE RESERVATION.

That there is a wide breach in the republican
party over just what shall constitute the res
eryations" demanded for the covenant OF the
League of Nations, is evident from the failure
of the Massachusetts republican convention to
90 as far as even the mildest reservatlonlsts 10
the senate. Declaring that the compromise res
ervation upon which the senators are now Try
ing to agree departs from the precedents Oh
century which have been practiced in all presi-
dental administrations, the Springfield Repup-
lican says:
The compromise reservation, applying to ar
ticle 10 of the league covenant upon winch the
mild reservationists and the 'drastlc" reserVa-
tionists in the senate have been trying to agree,
goes far beyond the requirements Of the platform
adopted by the Massachusetts republicans. Ihe
proposed reservation reads as follows:
'The United States assumes no obligation u1l-.
der the provisions of article 10 to preserve the
territorial integrity political independence OF
any other country, or to interfere IN controver-
sizes between other nations whether members OF
the league not or to employ military ana
naval forces of the United States under any ar
ticle for any purpose unless in any particular case
congress-Which under the constitution has the
sole power to declare war or authorize the en-
ployment of military OR naval forces OF the Unit
ed States-shall by act or joint resolution SO
declare"
While this draft of reservation is much to
be preferred to the very extreme one on the same
subject recommended by the committee on fer-
eign relations, it is still obnoxious, especially
when tested by the Massachusetts republican
plank on the league of nations. That plantk
simply declares, so far article 10 is concerned,
for such a reservation "as will provide that the
United States shall assume no obligation to en-
ploy American soldiers or sailors unless congress
,1,oIII NV oo+ nj n
be approved by anyone, for its obvious meaning
is that the constitution of the United States, in
regard to the Waging of war, shall not be over
ridden.
The proposed compromise reservation, how
ever, is Objectionable for several reasons. 1t
seeks to do more than to safeguard the constitu-
tional control by congress Of the war-making
power. It attempt to inhbt any effective ini-
tiative by the executive short Of war, such as
purely diplomatic notes or measures. for the pur-
pose Of aiding the league to preserve the terri
torial integrity or political independence of any
threatened country against external aggression.
There must occasionally be conditions under
which prompt diplomatic pressure by the execu-
tive would be necessary, without waiting for the
two branches of congress, to debate and pass a
Join resolution if the external aggression"
mentioned in article 10 is to be prevented.
As things are and have been, the executives
independent power of initiative in controversies
between other nations" is very substantial. Pres
ident Roosevelt, for example, "interfered in con-
troversies between other nations" when he sent
diplomatic representative to the Ageciras con-
ference on Morocco, which did not concern any
vital American interest. Secretary Seward thus
"interfered" when he notified Emperor Napoleon
III to withdraw his army from Mexico and leave
Macmillan unsupported; and Seward did not
even base his action on the Monroe doctrine. II
it is intended now by the senate to hobble the
diplomacy Of the executive by requiring congress
sional action before any effective steps could be
taken in foreign affairs, the very idea is absurd
because it would prove unworkable in practice
The American people would hoot it down in case
their interests should some time be inperlled by
the delay in awaiting for the decision Of con
gress.
The trainers of the proposed compromise res
ervation would not be suspected of seeking tx
weaken the executive department Of the govern
nent and to aggrandize congress, or the senate
were It not for the unqualified statement in The
reservation that congress under the constitu
tion has the sole power to declare war or author
ize the employment of military and naval force:
of the United States It is true that congress
has the sole power to declare war, but it il
false that congress has the sole power to "au
thorze the employment of military and nava
forces of the United States BY war is meant
under the constitution, an armed conflict of
public nature the parties to which are recognized
as beligerents and as entitled to all the right
and subject to all the obligations which nterna
tional law recognizes and imposes.
But the military and naval forces of the Unit
ed States may be employed for various purpose
short Of war. President Mckinley sent Genera
Chaffee with an American force to fight its way
if necessary, to Pekin in the Boxer rebellion
without congressional authorization Again, tn
United States supreme court long ago decided