New-York tribune., 1919-08-21

1t has been rapidly fixing firm holt
on many widely separated parts Of tn,
country.
ut should bo added" explained DR.
Ferguson, that the railroads acquire.
IN Mongolia are not commercially use
tul at present; they arc strategic lines
with reference to future military op
erations"
Pittman Makes Set Speech
Senator Pittman delivered sc
speech favoring his Interpretations
Senator Brandegee asked if .he rcs
ervations Mr.. Pittman proposed werS
to be Incorporated In this rat'fyint
resolution.
II do not propose that said Sen
ator Pittman. "My purpose is to have
my resolution considered as soon as
possible and passed in advance OF &C
eion on the treaty so that other ma
tions having representatives on the
council Of the league of nations would
have tho opportunity to pass Identical
port. Under no circums stances would
ratifying resolution"
Senator Poindexter contcnded that
there was a conflict in Article XVI
and In the reservations proposed by
Mr.. Pittman as to the council having
authority to decide every lnterna-
tional dispute"
1.-TWO kinds of questions are in
volved," said Senator Pittman. Zone
Is moral and one is legal. The moral
obligation implies determination upon
its carrying out by the party making
it. A legal determination under tho
treaty would be in accordance with
other bodies. Under my proposal we
would give notice Of our understanding
Of our moral obligation.
Urges Similar Act by Allies
'As to the legal obligations under
the treaty dealing with the Monroe
Doctrine and domestic questions. I
would have an identical resolution
passed by Great Britain, France, Italy
and Japan, which, with the United
States, would constitute permanent
majority Of the council, to which all
these matters are to be submitted If
they are subject to submission. If they
adopt the samc resolution that we do,
pledging themselves In advance to the
same construction as we do, then we
VIII know that that understanding will
be carried out in any decision that
might be given"
Does the Senator construe the obli-
cation imposed under Article 23.
pleoging the United States to provide
tree transit of the commerce Of all
members of the league developing the
presidents fourteen points, where thoy
touch upon economic barriers. as a
moral obligation ?" asked Senator Poin-
dexter.
"No, that is legal obligation and
cannot be reached by the separate
resolution I urge" replied Senator
fItIman 1T would have the same
erect as amending the treaty. Under
Article x we have q moral obligation
TO protect territorial integrity. Tn
der This no power is granted any in-
trumentallty to assist us in forming
our judgment or interfering with our
Judgment when ii is formed.
A Moral Obligation
When we find en- aggression against
the territorial integrity of a country
wc have moral obligation to do some
Thing If we find in judgment that
there Is no aggression, that Judgment
would be renewable by any other
power under the covenant Of the
league.
at would be moral obligation be-
cause there wes DO legal power to en-
force 1t. The legal obligation applies
when its determination is participant
cd in under fixed rules by another
body than the country to be bound by
the decision"
HJ cC4;ca %,o
ttude and language used by the Prcsi
dent in yesterdays conference" com
mentea Senator Poindexter
y know Of no higher authority"
replied Mr. Pi.tman.
rit IS high authority, especially AS
indicating the Intention OF representa-
tiyes of the United States in framing
the covenant OF thc league Of nations" ="
said Senator Poindexter. "The elo-
ment Of Judgment involved in the en-
forcemcnt Of the obligations imposed by
this covenant does not affect the nat
ure OF the obligations, but Is the ques-
ton of the determination Of discre-
tion to be used by the United States
when any occasion arises involving dis
putc as to the league of nations
All Treaties Moral, Says Owen
"A legal obligation is an enforceable
contract put in Senator Owen. "A
moral obligation implies that there is
no tribunal or other authority to dis
pose Of it. Tho Supreme Court has
found al! treaties to be subject to re-
peal by succeeding Congresses. There
fore all treaties are moral obligations
and should be so regarded
THE Constitution Of the United
States provides that any treaty entered
INTO by the United States, instead Of
being a mere moral obligation, is the
supreme law OF The land" said Senator
Poiudcxter
Senator Pittman spoke of 4he league
Of nations as hardly more than a
meeting place where the consensus Of
opinion of the civilized world may be
obtained and its moral force brought
to bear"
Following are statements made by
Senators Of the group Of seven, and by
Senator Nelson, who has been in sym
patty with the group of seven:
Senator Lenroot, Wisconsin--I have
never been for any other programme
than that Of including strong aud clear
reservations in the resolution of ratif-
cation. So far as | know there is no
thought on the Republican side of any
thing else. The reservations will be
adopted as part OF the ratifying reso-
luton. The treaty cannot be ratified
unless such action Is taken
Cummins Against Amendments