Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-07-31
President Wilson Presents DOcu-
ment and Urges Its Ratifica-
ton as Supplement to Peace
Treaty
DELIVERED BY MESSENGER
BY Unanimous Agreement senate Re-
mains in Open Session While Treaty
and Accompanying Message Are Read
both Are Made Public

repelling any unprovoked attack by Ger ,
many. was sent to the Senate to-day by /,
President Wilson.
In his message urging ratification the
President declared the promise tenn !
porary supplement" to the treaty with
Germany and the League of Nations
covenant, designed to give France pro-
lection in an emergency without await
ing the advice of the league to act"
He pointed out that a similar promise
had been made by Great Britain and
said that by the obligation the United
States but partially discharged debt
to France which nothing can pay" in
full.
The Senate, where the Presidents
failure to submit the treaty sooner has
been under repeated fire from republican
members, received the message In open
session and referred the treaty and his
request for ratification by messenger.
Both became public by the Senate's
unanimous agreement to remain in open
session while the message was read and
to print it and the treaty in the record
The request that this course be followed
was made by Chairman Lodge of the
| foreign relations committee
Although the committee has made no
definite plans. 1t is likely that the
! treaty will be taken up by 1t within
few days and considered jointly with
the Versailles treaty. Before this Is
done. however the committee will hear
several of the experts who advised the
American peace delegation on economic
subjects Bernard Baruch, the first of
those to be heard, will appear at
public hearing Thursday.
The Senate spent most of the day
discussing the League of Nations. SEN
/ ator Thomas. democrat, of Colorado, In
an address expressing doubt as to the
efficacy of the league in attaining in
ternational concord, told his colleagues
| he had not yet decided whether he
could support It, Senator Gay, demo-
crat, of Louisiana, urged its ratifca-
ton without reservation. and Senator
Nelson. republican. of Minnesota, an
nounced that while he wanted to see
1t ratified he thought reservations were
necessary.
| THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
President Wilson's message presenting
the French defensive treaty was as fol-
lows:
Gentlemen of the Senate:
II take pleasure in laying before you a
treaty with the republic of France the
object of which is to assure that republic
of the Immediate aid of the United States
Of America in case of any unprovoked
movement of aggression against her on
the part of Germany. l earnestly hope
that the treaty will meet with your cor
dial approval and will receive an early
ratification at your hands, along with the
treaty of peace with Germany Now that
you have had an opportunity TO examine
the great document presented to you two
weeks ago, 1t seems opportune to lay be-
fore you this treaty which is meant to be
in effect a part Of it. 1t was signed on the
same day with the treaty Of peace and is
Intended as temporary supplement to 1t.
1t is believed that the treaty of peace with
Germany itself provides adequate protec-
ton to France against aggression from
her recent enemy on the east, but the
years Immediately ahead Of us contain
many incalculable possibilities. The cove
nant of the League of Nations provides
for military action for the protection OF
it's members only upon advice of the coun-
ell of the league-advice given, it is to be
presumed. only upon elaboration and act
ed upon by each of the governments Of
the member states only if its own judg-
ment justifes such action The object OF
the special treaty with France which
now submit to provide for immediate mill
} tary assistance to France by the United
States in case Of any unprovoked move
ment of aggression against her by Ger
many without waiting for the advice OF
the council Of the League OF Nations tina
such action will be taken. It is to be al
arrangement not independent OF thu
. League of Nations, but under it, 1t il
: therefore. expressly provided that th
: treaty shall be made the subject of con
sideration al the same time with the treat.
; of peace with Germany that this specia
: arrangement shall receive the approval o
the council of the league; and that thi
special provision for the safety OF Franc
shall remain in force only until, upon tn
application of other parties to it, the coun
= Gil of the league. acting. If necessary. b.
=, a majority vote, shall agree that the pro
I vision of the covenant of the league ar
ford her sufficient protection.
was moved to sign this treaty b.
considerations which will. ! hope. seer
as persuasive and as irresponsible I
you as they seem to me. We are boun
to France by ties of friendship whic
= we have always regarded, and shall al
: ways regard, as peculiarly sacred. Sh
{ assisted us to win our freedom as a ma
8 ton. 1t is seriously to be doubte
n whether we could have won it withou
u her gallant and timely aid. We hav
8 recently had the privilege of assisting 1
u driving enemies who We're also enemie
l. of the world from her soil; but that doe
{. not pay our debt to her. Nothing ca
Il pay such a debt She now desires that W
should promise to lend our great fore
g to keep her safe against the power sh
has had most reason to fear. Anothe
% great nation volunteers the same prom
10 ise 1t is one of the fine reversals c
history that that other nation shall b
the very power from whom France Tough
" to set us free. A new day has dawnet
:. Old antagonisms are forgotten. TIL
=, ment has created new comradesMps an
- a new perception of what 1t Is wise an
h necessary for great nations to DO to fire.
n the world of intolerable fear. Two go,
II ernments who wish to be members {
|. the League Of Nations ask leave Of tn
l. council of the league to be permitte
to 60 to the assistance of friend who's
situation has been found to be one {
peculiar peril, without awaiting the ad
N vice of the league to act.
- 1t is by taking such pledges as this thf
:, we prove ourselves faithful to the utmo'
AZ to the high obligations of gratitude an
;, tested friendship. Such an act as tn
r. seems to me one Of the proofs that "
I'd are a people that sees the true hea
n. of duty and prefers honor to its ow
separate course of peace.
WOODROW WILSON.
}, The White House, July 20. 1919.