The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-07-05
Hold That it COntravenes
Right of Congress to De-
clare War
REPUDIATES THE
LEAGUE OF NATIONS
Think France Considers the Alliance
More Protection Than the League
Claim Future Congresses Cannot Be
Bound by Present Body.

WASHINGTON, July 5-Publication
II The terms of the alliance between
France aud the United States, and the
practically simiar alliance between France
and Great Britain has caused as much
amazcmeut as any step in the peace ne
gotlatious which have been seven months
III progress.
a large number Of senators believe that
the formation Of the pact was sought by
France because it had no illusions about
the proposed league OF nations and want
ed am alliance with her two most power
VI associates to prevent future German
aggression. American acceptance OF the
pact even it's acceptance by the Prcsi-
dent and his sub-dclegutes in Pars-ls
looked upon here as an open admission
HAT the proposed league would amount
e. little or nothing, if ratified IN its
present form by the United States senate
Publication of the text already has
raised another question of paramount m
teruational importance with which the
senate will have to wrestle when Prcsi-
dent Wilson returns. The terms OF this
alliance it is pointed out, supuatc that
the American people must agree IN adj
nance to go Immediately to war in the
event Of Germany launching an unpro-
vokcd attack or I'm ease of any ,unpro-
vokcd act OF aggression directed against
her Franco by Germany
IT is announced that President Wilson
will submit this alliance to the senate at
the same time that he presents the peace
treaty for ratification. The treaty and
L. Il
bound together because France accepted
the league of nations covenant on the dis
tinet understanding that the alliances
with the United States and Great Brit
ain would serve TO supplement France
security from attack which Premier
Clomcneeau believed would not be suili
cicnt without the supplementary pacts.
Opposition in the senate Is certain to
develop on the ground that the organic
law Of the United States does not permit
Of any sort OF alliance which pledges the
congress of the United States to declare
war at some time in the Hear@orT distant
future. 1t is about this point that the
discussions in the senate are certain tc
revCIve, according to leaders on both
sides Of the question
The constitution Of the United States
it will be contended, vests in congress!
the exclusive power to declare war. Meth
4 or tho President of the United States moi
y the President with the advice and con
sent OF the senate can take this powe
from congress, according to men like Sen
ator Knox, for example. In other word
the President and the senate, composn
the treaty making power of the govern
mont, cannot absorb powers which tn
constitution specifically gave to the con
gross and to no other power, aceordn
TO these senators The question there
fore, will be raised as To whether tn
senate legally can ratiiy this alliance II
respective of its merits.
This contention on the other side
that ratification of this pact amount
merely to an agreement which a futut
congress could either sustain or repud
ate when the time came. thereby keepin
the war making power still vested in tn
congress, but giving France reason to b.
leve and hope that American assistanc
would be forthcoming Immediately in tn
event of unprovolled attack
Il Senators favoring the attack will nc
Neontcnds that it binds future congres
aud will admit that should the emergenc
arise ii will be within the province
congress To- refuse to declare war. no
withstanding the treaty. But this is ce
tain to draw the fire Of senator's, Wi
do net approve any suggestion of Il
United States not living up to any prom
ises made or implied
The question of what would constitu