Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-07-24

can negotiate a treaty placing IN the
hands Of a foreign commission powers
constitutionally vested In Congress.
Senate debate will continue tomor-
row, Senator'S Lenroot. republican,
Wisconsin, Fletcher, democrat. Flor
ida. and Robinson, democrat,
would speak.
TAFT Suggests Interpretations
A program Of interpretations to be
peace treaty in order to insure sup
port Of the republicans favorable to a
league idea, IL 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.
n letters suggest six '~interpreta-
tons" covering the right Of with.
drawal, limiting the representation of
dominions and colonies, asserting the
prerogattve of congress to declare
war under Article Ten, confirming IA
tional control over domestic issues, de-
fining the Monroe Doctrine. and re-
serving the right to terminate obliga-
tons under Article Ten at the end of
ten years.
Would Not Weaken Covenant.
Mr.. Taft wrote that these interpre-
tations would not weaken the league
covenant, but would, he believed, as
sure ratincation. He suggested that
he should not appear publicly at this
time as their sponsor because it
the treaty.
The letters, both dated Pointe-a-
Pic, Quebec, and dated July 20, fol-
low:
my Dear Mr.. Hays:
I'm what I said yesterday I did not
go over the various interpretations
and reservations, because 1 thought
that In our previous correspondence
they were sufficiently explained. I
lated them, after a good deal OF
Thought, to take up my reasons in
detail for suggesting them.
Senate Should Ratify.
Speaking generally, I wish to en-
phasize my conviction hat the United
States senate might well ratify the
tions or interpretations. lam conf
dent that the actual operation of the
treaty after ratification would bring
about exactly the same result as that
which would he attained by the ac-
ceptance of these interpretations and
reservations, but it seems to me to
be the part Of statesmen to recognize
political, Of a situation in seeking to
achieve real progress and reform.
Crtticizes Wilson'S Actions.
1.-THE situation which confronts US
now in reference to the ratification Of
the treaty is created by very seri-
Jus mistakes Of policy committed by
| NJ VYTSI~~o TNIe4 - oNt;onn nh m N$oT
Of his administration during the war,
together with his appeal to his u
trymen to elect q democratic congress
in November, 1918, created a condi-
ton of personal and political antago-
nism toward him among republican
leaders which was shared by a major
ity of the American people.
This was shown in the results OF
the election. Notwithstanding this,
Mr.. Wilson persisted in continuing
the same partisan exclusion of repub-
leans in dealing with the highly inn
portant matter Of settling the results
of the var He selected a commits
sion in which the republicans had nc
representation and in which there
were no prominent Americans of any
real experience and leadership of
public opinion. With such a commits
sion, his unusual course in goins
abroad himself, as president, greatly
emphasized the personal element In
the framing of the treaty and inten-
sifed the general tendency to oppose
anything that ne might bring home,
because of his apparent wish to die
tate the policy Of the world and ia
monopolize the credit for it. .
Blams Some Defects on Wilson.
II feel that some Of the defects OF
the League of Nations are due to him
I am confident that he prevented the
adoption of the plan Of the league tc
enforce peace in respect to an inter
national court and the settlement OF
j%ustifable questions. This was. as
am advised in the English plan, but
was studiously omitted from the very
satisfactory American plan. His pre-
JUDGE against courts is we'll known
Article X, I think, is due to him pri-
imarily, because it is merely the en-
bodiment Of the last Of his fourteen
points.
While it came from his suggestion
however, 1t suited the demand of the
French, SO far as 1t went, and 1 be-
lieve it to be now the heart of the
league in tending to unite the forces
of the world in police duty to sup
press wars of conquest.
The power of amendment, con.
tanned within the terms Of the league
offers full opportunity to remedy tn
defects Of the league with reference
to the international court and in 9th
er respects. The great point which
supporters Of the league should seel
is the establish ment of a basis upor
which, through amendment, the
league q be perfected. It is abso'
lutely necessary to retain Article x. il
order to stabilize the world. The
fluid condition Of the region of thu
war threatens the stability Of thu
world, and it needs the united forces
Of the world to restore a normal con
dition Of self maintenance. In ny
Judgment, therefore, it would be mos
unfortunate II the c~autionary infu'
ence of Article x. may not be re.
tanned. ~
1.-THE altitude Of hostility toward tn
president has aroused criticism a n
opposition which might have beel
avoided had he taken with him suc]
a mar as Mr.. Root and two represen
mittee in the senate. The criticism
thus aroused have stirred the con
conscience Of a number of republican
senator's, and have endangered tn,
ratification of the league by two
thirds of. the senate.
Republican Votes Needed.
mr.. Wilson'S influence with hi
democratic supporters in the senat
will secure perhaps As votes. Nine
the question Is how they can be. Sc
ADVERTISEMENT.
go