Omaha daily bee., 1919-07-24
Former President Hopes to
Unite All Elements Upon
Common Ground That Will
Be Agreeable to Both Parties.
REPUBLICANS PREDICT
WILSON'S ACCEPTANCE
Ideas Advanced Are Received
With Earnest Consideration
by Group of Senators Who
Are in Favor of Covenant,

Are in Favor OF Covenant,
Washington, July IA program
of interpretations to be included in
the senate ratification of the peace
treaty in order to insure support OF
the republicans favorable to league
idea, is suggested in letters from
former President Taft to Will H.
Hays, republican national chairman.
copies of which are in the hands OF
some of the republican senators.
The two letters to Mr.. Hays do
not outline definitely the six inter-
pretations suggested by Mr.. Taft,
but they are referred to as having
been contained in a previous unpub-
lished communication. These stipu-
latlons are understood to be sub
stantially as follows:
Two Years Notice Enough.
THAT upon two years notice the
United States could cease to be a
member of the league without hav-
ing the league pass upon whether
she had fulfilled all her obligations
under the covenant.
2-That self-governed colonies
and dominions could not be repre-
sented on the league council at the
same time with the mother govern
menteor be included in any of those
clauses where the parties to the dis
pute are excluded from its settle
ment.
3-That the functioning of the
council under article 10 shall be ad-
visory only and that each member
shall be left free to determine ques-
tons of war in its own way, the
decision of the United States resting
with congress.
4-That differences between the
nations regarding immigration, the
tariff and other domestic questions
shall not be left to the league for
settlement.
Reserve Monroe Doctrine.
5-That the Monroe doctrine is to
be reserved for administration by
the United States.
6-That the United States reserves
the right to withdraw uncondition-
ally at the end of ten years or at
least to terminate then her obliga-
tions under article 10.
Mr.. Taft wrote that these inter-
pretations would not weaken the
league covenant but would, he be-
lieved. assure ratification. He sug-
gested that he should not appear
publicly at this time.
The suggestions have been re-
ceived with earnest consideration
by the group of republicans who
favor the league idea and who al
ready are at work on definite pro-
gram of interpretive reservations
which they declare they have rea-
son to believe will be accepted by
the administration. The administra-
ton leaders, however, unwilling to
concede that any reservations will
be necessary still insist they will
have the votes when the time comes
to ratify the covenant at it is.
SO sure are the league republi-
cans of the success of their plan
that some of them believe President
Wilson will publicly accept it to
smooth the way to acceptance of the
league. Some republican senator's
who have seen the president in the
last few days-have come away from
the White House with the impress
sion that Mr.. Wilson, while not en-
couraging reservations if thew can
be avoided might not be ayerse TO
such interpretations as would leave
tl'f league fabric unimpaired.
The letters follow:
My Dear Mr. Hays:
When | said yesterday I did no.
go over the various interpretations
and reservations, because I thought
that IN our previous correspondence
they were sufficiently explained, |
think it wise now that l have formu
lated them, after a good deal OF
thought to take up my reasons in
detail for suggesting them.
Might Ratify Treaty.
Speaking generally, | wish to en-
phasize my conviction that the
United States senate might we'll
ratify the present treaty. without
any reservations or interpretations.
| am confident that the actual opera
ton of the treaty after ratification
would bring about exactly the same
result as that which would be at
tanned by the acceptance of these in
terpretations and reservations, but
it seems to me to be the part of
statesmen to recognize the exigen-
cies personal, partisan and political
of situation in seeking to achieve
real progress and reform.
The situation which confronts
US now, in reference to the ratifica-
ton of the treaty, is one created by
very serious mistakes of policy COM
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