The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-07-25

the league but who now have in mind
ratification with inIerpretatfve reser-
vations. These Senators have nearly
all indicated that they would not do
anything knowingly that would re-
suit in destruction of the league of
nations. They are moved by no such
desires. They are urged simply by
fear lest some misunderstanding
should arise in the future through in
definite language in the body of the
treaty.
The vital question is whether
qualified ratification of the treaty will
send it back for renegotiation and. if
so, what the probable result of such
action will be. ..
IF it is necessary that the treaty
be approved by the Senate, il is
equally necessary that any amend
ment or reservation or Interpretation
added by any other government must
receive Senate approval"
Cites Spanish Treaty.
Pittman cited the treaty with Spain
in 1919, ceding Florida to the United
states. Spain accepted with reserva-
lions, which had to be submitted to
the Senate after it haG once ratified
the treaty.
1T is immaterial whether the SEN
ate thinks the reservation changes
the treaty or not, for that is a ques-
ton the other party to the contract
has an equal right to determine
Pittman said. 1T is immaterial
whether the change be made in the
body of the treaty or by reservations
in the resolution Of ratification.
1T is clear that the contention OF
some Senators that further considera-
ton and ratification by the other par
ties is unnecessary because the reser-
vations do not change the treaty's
meaning has no support in law"
Other Powers May Alter.
Warning that counter reservations
may be made by other powers, Pitt
man said:
"Japan's most bitter fight at the
council table was to grant the league
jurisdiction to prevent the United
States. Canada. and Australia from
excluding Japanese from their terri
tories under immigration laws. Her
people are smarting under the alleged
stigma. 1t is the most sensitive
question in the Japanese empire.
Think you the Japanese government
will neglect the opportunity again
to insist on reservations on this point
ii negotiations are ever reopened?
Think you the Italian parliament,
having opportunity, would hesitate to
place in the treaty reservations which
they believe necessary to protect
Italian interests at Fiume. Dalmatia,
and along the AdriatiC?
And the French Chamber OF Depu-
ties has demanded of Clemenceau the
evidence upon which he based his
signing of the treaty without provid-
ing for A standing army under the
league to protect the borders Of
France
Britain Might Act.
Would there be cause for surprise
if Great Britain, under the circum-
stances should add a reservation that
Limitation Of naval ornaments shall
not apply TO that government, by rea-
son Of Great Britains peculiar situa-
ton?
Unless we approve the treaty as
it stands we open the doors to all
the disastrous possibilities of renewed
international dissension."
Referring to reports that Senator
Lodge had been assured by prOmi-
nent British and French statesmen
that those governments would &C
cept American reservations. Pittman
declared no one in England or France
could give such assurances IN ad-
vance OF a knowledge of what Amer
lean reservations might be.