The Washington times., 1919-08-19

party, the trouble is hers anyhow.
And the unanimous vote Of the coun-
Gil is only advice in any case. Each
government is free to reject II II
pleases. Nothing could have been
made more clear TO the conference
than the right OF our congress under
our Constitution to exercise its in
dependent judgment in all matters
Of peace and war.
Right Not Questioned.
No attempt was made to question
or limit that right. The United States
will, indeed, undertake under Article
X to respect and preserve as against
external aggression the territorial
integrity and existing political indie
pendence OF all members of the
league" and that engagement con-
stitutes a very grave and solemn
moral obligation. But IL is a moral,
not a legal. obligation, and leaves our
Congress absolutely free to put its
own Interpretation upon il in all cases
that call for action. It is binding in
conscience only, mot in law.
Article X seems to me to constitute
the very backbone Of the whole cove
nant without il the league would be
hardly more than an influential de-
batting society.
No Objection to Plan.
It has several times been suggested
in public debate and In private con-
ference, that interpretations OF the
sense in which the United States ac-
cepts the engagements OF the cove
nant should be embodied in the in
strument Of ratification. There can
be no reasonable objection to such
interpretations accompanying the act
Of ratification, provided they do not
form a part Of the formal ratification
itself. Most OF the interpretations
which have been suggested TO me en-
body what seems to me the plain
meaning OF the instrument itself.
But II such interpretations should
constitute a part Of the formal reso-
luton Of ratification. long delays
would be the inevitable consequence.
inasmuch as all the many govern
ments concerned would have to ac-
cept. in effect. the language OF ths
Senate as the language Of the treaty
before ratification would be complete.
The assent of the German As
sembly at Weimar would have
to be obtained, among the rest,
and must frankly say that
I could only with the greatest reluc-
Lance approach that assembly Tor
permission to read the treaty as we
II and as those who
framed it quite certainly understood
it. II the United States were to quail
ify the document in any way, more
over, 1 am confident from what 1
know of the many conferences and de-
bates which accompanied the formu-
lation of the treaty that our example
would Immediately be followed in
many quarters, in some instances with
very serious reservations, and that
the meaning and operative force OF
the treaty would presently be cloUded
from one end Of its clauses to the
other.
Pardon me. Mr.. Chairman, II have
been entirely unreserved and plain
spoken in speaking of the great mat
ters we all have so much at heart. !
II excuse is needed, 1 trust that the
critical situation Of affairs may serve
as my justification. The issues that /
hang upon the con-
clusions OF the Senate with regard to !
peace and upon the time Of its action !
are so grave ana so clearly insus- |
ceptible Of being thrust on one side |
or postponed that I have felt it nee |
essary in the public interest to make |
this urgent plea, and TO make it 8 !
simply and as unreservedly as pos
slble.