The sun., 1919-09-11
CANADA TALKING OF
PACT RESERVATION
liberals, in Caucus, Discuss
Interpretative Clause for
Article Y.
TANGLE ON PROHIBITION
Sir Robert Borden Tells of
Dominion's Part in Paris
Conference.
ON PROHIBITION
.. , s,os Correspondent Of TIE suS

:. ,bs peace treaty and covenant is re-
,oving itself into discussion. so far as
~, Liberal opposition is concerned. of
-. effect on the rights of the Parlia-
IAN, Of Canada to control future par
.anation in war and control over the
canadian armed forces.
Al the caucus of the Liberals to-day
,N.v considered the question of intro
s,.rg a resolution of Interpretation on
,,,,cIa X. But no final decision was
...sbed. Members will continue to
os,r criticism OF that article, and action
,,,,nst the danger centre to Canadian
,,,onomy will be taken formally later
=, in the debate II 1t can be done with
m, mourning any serious misunder-
,,.raing in the country The several
hv.,lectlons are just ahead. October 81,
ana the Liberals do not want to lose
yctes by any misdirection on the treaty.
The debate on the resolution of APP
,rovai OF the treaty will be concluded
,o-norrow. But the end of the session
e not in sight, Notwithstanding the
s,atement Of the member for Dorchester.
Mr. Iucien Cannon. last evening, that
thls was a thirty lone day session"
The Government will introduce legis-
,stIon to extend and validate certain
orders in council and other after war
conditions as demanded
There is no decision or announcement
yet about prohibition. The people OF
Ontario will vote on the temperance ref
erendum october IS, and as the result
/: IN doubt the Government win be in
clined to listen to its own supporters.
who ask to delay on prohibition until the
next session. 1t is quite possible that
Canada will have a period of inter-pro-
vincal liquor traffic. after the formal
reclamation Of peace and the passing
s Of the order in council under which the
war prohibition came into force.
In resuming the debate on the peace
treaty Hon. Rodolphe Lemieux said he
was sorry that both great Britain and
France had recognized Germany in the
treaty as an entity. An ex-foreign Min
ister of France had stated this was the
greatest mistake in the treaty. "If
were a British elector." said Mr.. Lemi-
eux 81 would insist that my representa-
tives at Westminster do their utmost to
settle the Irish question before ratifica-
ton of the treaty.
He Evades Question.
Mr.. Cockshutt: How would the hon
orable gentlemen settle the Irish ques-
ton ?"
According TO the statement of the
Prime Minister, Sir Robert Borden. the
Canadian delegates took exception both
IN form and in substance to certain peace
covenant provisions.
"Our views" he said, were set forth
In a confidential memorandum, which
circulated to the members of the COM
mission who drafted the covenant and
to the representatives of the five great
allied Powers"
About that time the terms of the con-
hdential document were given in outline
BY John w Dafoe, Canadian Govern
ment correspondent at Paris TO the Ca
madam press and 1t was clear from that
statement that the Canadian delegates
had taken decided exception to Article
X But the Canadian delegates, like the
American. made sacrifice to get unity
OF later constitutional Developments
Sir Robert Borden said:
st is desirable to note an important
development in constitutional practice
respecting the signature of the various
treaties concluded at the conference
Hitherto Il has been the practice to in
tert an article or reservation providing
for adhesion Of the Dominions. In view
OF the new position that had been Sc
cured and Of the part played by Do
minion representatives at the peace
table We thought this method inappro-
pirate and undesirable in connection
With the peace treaty.
Accordingly. 1 proposed that the as
sent OF the King, as high contracting
\ party TO the various treaties should in
respect Of the Dominions be signified by
the signature OF the Dominion pleni-
potentaries and that the preamble and
other formal parts Of the treaties should
Dc drafted accordingly.
This proposal was adopted in tn,
form OF memorandum by all the Do
minon Prime Ministers at a meeting
which summoned. and was put forawrC
" me on their behalf to the British
empire delegation. by whom 1t was &C
eepted. The proposal was subsequent,
saopted by the conference and the vari
Gus treaties have been drawn UP accord
Mgy, so that the Dominions appeal
usEeln as signatories, and their con
Suffence in the treaties is thus given IL
we same manner as that of other ma
King Gave Full Powers.
This important constitutional de
,slopment involved the issuance by tn
Alng' as high contracting party, Of full
poHefs TO the various Dominion plenipo
leauonary delegates. In order that sucl
powers Issued to the Canadian plenipo
Mataiaries might be based upon forma
aosoh OF the Canadian Government, al
w yn,e IN council was passed on April 10
.'As' granting the necessary authority
accordingly l addressed a commission
70 The Prime Minister of the Unite
Ahsaom requesting that necessary an
appropriate steps should be taken TO es
sdDIsh the connection between this orde
VI council and the issuance of the fu