Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-07-30
WILSON SHOWS
WAR POWER is
WITH CONGRESS
Clears Up Mooted Ques-
ton Regarding Fam
Gus Article 10.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

]
nant of the League of Nations the
much mooted article 10. Opponents
of the league have insisted that
this article would require America
to use military force to guarantee
the territorial boundaries of all
nations for an indefinite period of
time committing America to go to
war without the consent of con-
gress. Mr.. Wilson says in most ex-
plicit language that under the
covenant no nation is required to
use military force if in it's own
judgment such use is not desir-
able for that nation. Charles E.
Hughes has just made the same
point in his proposal to attach to
the covenant an Interpretation of
article 10 saying no military or
naval force shall be used except
as sanctioned by congress.
fastened By Senate Threatl
Thus it will be seen that a com
mon meeting point is not at all i'm
possible if the two rival parties in
the senate could dispose of the po-
litical embarrassments involved in
coming together. Mistakes have
been made on both sides. No one at
the White house would admit it but
unquestionably the threat of senate
Republicans to stop work on the
peace treaty itself unless they re-
ceived the text of the French pact
had it's effect in Fastening Mr.. Will
son to present the supplementary
document.
Also it is more than apparent
that the Republicans did not take
kindly to the idea of Mr. Wilson
going before the country just now
and would have adjourned the SEN
ate. too. with the refusal of Mr..
Wilson to send them the French
treaty as basis for their action.
Plans are Altered.
So there came a shift in the planC
from the White house. 1t was
definitely stated that Mr.. Wilson
would go on his trans-continental
trip but it was also indicated that
he would not go before the middle
of August and possibly later. Also
it was made very plain that the
president is going before the Amer
ican people whether the treaty and
1S6SuG are IdNluGu III TIE IALGIAl1
or not If the treaty has been
passed, then Mr.. Wilson's speeches
will partake of the nature of an ex-
of the problems that lie
ahead in world readjustment On
the other hand even the presidents
supporters do not expect the sen
ate to act on the treaty much be-
fore the middle of September so
that Mr.. Wilson may after all find
that his tour will require speeches
the people to convince
their representatives in congress
of the necessity of ratification.
Both Sides On Watch
Officially it was stated that the
reason for postponement of the
presidents trip is the hot weather
and consideration for the health of
the chief executive. An itinerary
has been mapped out lasting a
taking in about twenty-five
cities. So Mr.. Wilson is going On
his trip but he is leaving the date |
ture that the Republicans cannot /
very well adjourn the senate and !
point to his absence from Wash |
ngton as a reason for their hesita- |
lion.
Both sides are watching each |
other very carefully. The pres
dent has been in almost constant |
conference, first with Is Republi- !
eans and now with members of his I
,wn party who know the true state |
If affairs in the senate. Probably /
Mr. Wilson was disposed to discon- |
inue his conferences with Repub-
leans on the ground that they |
we're not getting him anywhere.
Value of COnfabs Seen.
But while the Republican sem
tors may be sticking to their point |
If view, the value of personal con-
erence is appraised by the Demo- /
ratio leaders as something worth !
While. Indeed, if Mr.. Wilson can
wear down some of the personal
ceiling against him in the senate,
t is contended that the change of
personal attitude on the part OF
Individual Republicans will be
Ielpful in the future.
The presidents advisers in the
enate seem to think it would be
,oor strategy to give up these con-
erenceS with Republicans and
until Mr.. Wilson has
the whole ground. They
ay two weeks is too brief a time to
i've to conference on such
yeighty subject. So the president I
viii go the whole list of Republi-
an leaders and answer the ques-
ions of the senate or its commit
ees and whether the treaty has
cen ratified or not will start west
Yard after he has conclusively
emonstrated that he has done all
e can do, personally, officially.
officially and otherwise. to bring
bout the ratification of the peace
reaty.
Are Near Common Ground.
For one thing, it is felt that the
resident can hardly afford to
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