Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-10-03
HOKE SMITH OFFERS
7 RESERVATIONS To
TREATY Of PEACE
Georgia Senator Convinced
Ratification Without
Change Is Impossible and
Seeks Compromise
The Atlanta Journal News Bureau,
62S Riggs Building.
BY THEODORE TILEER


BY THEODORE TILLER
WASHINGTON, Oct. 2.-Seeking
compromise agreement on the League
of Nations covenant, Senator Hoke
Smith presented in the senate this
afternoon seven reservations to the
pact. The senator in brief speech
announced his opposition to amend
ments of the treaty proper, but said
he favored reservations clarifying
the meaning of portions of the cove
nant, and in some instances Clarity
ing and restricting the language of
the covenant as 1 construe it, in it's
application to the United States"
Seator Smith introduced his res
ervations after series of confer
ences, extending over the past two
weeks, with various Democrats and
some of the Republican mild reser-
vationists." He hopes these reserva-
tions may be the basis of an agree
ment between administration Demo-
Gratis and mild reservationists Of the
majority party, so that the covenant
radical as those proposed by sena-
tors Of the Johnson, Borah and Fall
type.
Senator Smith said he was opposed
to changes in the actual treaty with
Germany, which would require it's
resubmission, but believed there
should be notifications of the league
covenant, which would not have to
fAAf
nation is not a party to it.
Compromise Necessary
The Georgia senator also expressed
the belief which is growing here and
which was forecast recently in these
dispatches to The Journal, namely.
that the league covenant cannot be
adopted without change and it is
question as to whether Democrats or
Republicans virtually take charge Of
the situation in the senate.
at is hardly necessary" said Sen
ator Smith in presenting the reserva-
tions, ito call the attention of the
senators to the fact that the treaty
cannot be ratified in is present form.
Instead of receiving the required
two-thirds vote for ratification,
there seems little doubt that more
nearly two-thirds are convinced it
should notbe ratified and would vote
against ratification. 7 desire to ses
the treaty ratified, but 1 believe
reservations should be made and ca'
upon all senators to aid in perfect
ing reservations, that We may rat1fs
the treaty as soon as possible.
ST know it has been urged that ths
entire treaty and league covenant
should be ratified and amendments
obi Of
This would be dangerous and imprac-
ticable. We should not bind this
country by doubtful language or OBJ
jectionable provisions trusting to so
uncertain a means of future correc-
ton. This is the time to make clear
what we mean and what we are will
ing to do. Great Britain and France
can approve and the reservation will
be passed on practically as supple
ment to the covenant
Senator Smith said it would be
foolish to claim that the league is
a guarantee against war"
'Tt may help preserve peace" he
added, "but it could not be hoped
that it would help If it's very pro-
visions left a certainty Of, dispute
among it's members as to what it
meant"
Gist OF ReserVaI1onS
The seven reservations of Senator
Hoke Smith summarized are as fol-
lows:
Explicit reaffirmation of the Mon
roe doctrine and declination to SUBJ
nit anything it involves to arbitra-
ton or inquiry by the league.
Express stipulation that there shall
be no moral obligation under Article
,l1o11 do, f11r
to preserve the territorial integrity
Of any foreign country. Further
more, that the employment of either
economic or military measures for
the protection of any other country
shall be specifically left to deci-
sion of the congress.
That the United States shall -ac-
cept no mandates without action by
congress.
That the reparations commission
shall not interfere with exports of
this country-such as raw materials
to Germany unless such inter
ference is agreeable to the United
States.
That the senate shall confirm per-
sons appointed to any of the posi-
lions created under the treaty.
That in event Of this country's de-
sire to withdraw from the league, it
shall be the sole Judge Of whether
it has fulfilled it's obligations and
congress by concurrent resolution
may give notice Of withdrawal.
A reservation that neither the
league assembly nor council may
take action relating to the internal
affairs of the United States, such
as the tariff, immigration, commerce
and coastwise traffic.
To Equa1ize Voting Powers.
Although Great Britain is not sim
gled out by name, Senator Smith
proposes a reservation in effect to
equalize the six to one representa-
ton Great Britain has in the league
assembly. He would stipulate that
when any dispute arises between
members of the league, the dispute
shall be considered to embrace both
colonies and dominions, as well as
the principal nation, and the entire
aggregation shall be excluded from
voting. For instance, should there
be a dispute between the United
States and Australia, Great Britain
could not cast her six votes while
the United States cast one, but the
dispute would be regarded as affect
ing ALL and exclusion from voting
would follow.
Senator Smith informed the senate
that he would discuss his reserva-
lions at length later. Some of the
reservations, he said, were some
what similar to those suggested by
Senators McCumber and Kellogg,
who are mild reservationists.
Senator McCumber, it will be recall
ed, bolted his Republican colleagues
on the foreign relations committee
and assailed the report filed by Sem
ator Lodge.
In offering his notifications to the