New-York tribune., 1919-07-25
Lenroot Farors League
But With Reservations
Wisconsin Republican Tells
Senate Objections Are Not
Based on Pcrfisanship

WASHINGTON, July 24.-Accoptance
of the league Of nations with reserva-
tions to protect independence of Ameri-
can action was advocated in the Senate
to-day by Senator Lenroot, Republican,
of Wisconsin. The right to determine
Monroe Doctrine and to decide upon its
course in any case arising under
Article X, he asserted, should be more
fully protected by reservations.
OF President Wilson's fourteen
points, the speaker said, only six had
been complied with in the treaty, while
four had been "oicarly violated" and
four mot included at ALL Among
those violated he mentioned the stipu-
latons relating to open covenants, dis
armament and impartial adjustment of
colonial claims. He expressed the
opinion that the league provisions
would not be effective in forcing dis
armament
"The country ought to know" sail
Senator Lcnroot, "that with very few
exceptions the members of this body,
irrespective Of party, are in favor of
league of nations. And the country
ought to know that with vcr. few cX-
ccptions the Republican members are
in favor of the league now proposed,
provided reservations are made pro-
tectng the rights and interests Of the
United States.
81 believe the United States can and
should be protected by proper reserva-
tions, and with such reservations the
league may be Of great value in pre-
venting future wars and securing y
better understanding between nations"
Forms Part of Pact
The articles providing for arbitration
and giving the league authority to act
in case of any war or threat Of war
were praised by the Senator, who also
said he considered the withdrawal
made regarding domestic questions he
considered "open to obioction,' while
he thought a reservation should be
adopted declaring the Monroe Doctrine
unaffected" He also suggested
reservation under which nations could
not have the disarmament limitations
placed upon them while they were at
war.
Regarding Article X, Senator Lenroot
said he considered that "neither Presi-
dent Wilson nor the Senate has any
moral right to obligate the United
States TO go to war to preserve The
territorial integrity and existing
political independence Of members of
the league" The people should be
left free in the future, he said, "to
refrain from engaging in war against
their will"
Partisanship Is Denied
"Partsanship is being charged against
Republicans in the consideration of
this treaty" said the Wisconsin Sen
ator, "a charge which | know, at least
as to the overwhelming ajority of Re-
publican Senator's is utterly without
foundation. But do say that if Sena-
tors across the aisle would only for
get that President Wilson is the
leader of the Democratic party, and
remember that this is an American
question, I am confident we could come
to an almost unanimous agreement as
to reservations for the protection of
the United States.
"Wth the reservation I have re-
ferred to | believe the league of ma
tions should be agreed to, for l be-
lieve that then there will be no sur
render of those liberties for which
the fathers fought and died and for
whose preservation thousands of Amer
lean boys lie sleeping under the sod
of France. Let US declare that this
great people stand ready to fight in
any war which may again menace the
peace of the world, but that we will
fight only upon the side Of liberty and
justice and will enter into no obliga-
lions to do otherwise"