The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-10
BRITAIN BLOCKS
MONROE CLAUSE
Lloyd George and Not Japan
Objected to Amendment
Wilson Drafted.
SHOCK TO THE PRESIDENT
Not Another of the Fourteen
Nations Raised a Voice
Against Reservation.
SHOCK TO THE PRESIDENT
BY LAURENCE HILLS.
Sfo6 Correspondent OF TIE sux.


Copyright, 1918: all rights ,sserred.
PARIS, April Give are over the
highest hurdle" is the way a high
authority described the situation in
the Peace Conference after the settle
ment to-day OF the great problems of
reparation and responsibility for the
war by the Council Of Four, which
President Wilson attended for the
first time since he was recently taken
Ill.
The Presidents friends now assert
that the drafting of the treaty will
begin in a day or two and that 1t will
be finished next week. AS the Presi-
dent now Is in shape to attend all
the sessions Of the Council of Four,
much better progress Is expected.
It develops now that it was Pre-
mier Lloyd George, and not the Jap6-
nese representatives. who made the
objection to the Incorporation in the
covenant Of the League of Nations
Of reservation of the Monroe Doc
trine when the President had 1t pre-
pared and ready to offer.
The objection Of the British Prime
Minister apparently came as a sur
prise and shock to the President, and
Is believed to explain many Of the
recent moves IN the diplomatic sltua-
tlon which contain elements of ex-
traoriinary interest.
First warnips of Breach.
There Is reason TO believe that the
Premier's action, taken at the
eleventh hour, was the first warning
to the President that Lloyd George
had left his side. The widening
breach between the two eliminated In
the George Washington incident.
The exact grounds for the British
Premier's objection to the Monroe
Doctrine reservation are not known.
The facts leading up to it seem to be
as follows:
l. President Wilson. on adyices
received by cable from William
II. Taft, Elihu Root and indirectly
from Senator Lodge, became con-
vinced that the league covenant
had not a chance of ratification
by the American Senate unless it
contained n larger and more eX-
plicit Monroe Doctrine reserva-
ton, his explanation that the cove
nant extended the doctrine over
the world not being accepted by
the American people.
.. Led by Lord Robert Cecil to
believe that the British, recogniz-
ing the political exigencies of the
situation, would not object, the
President prepared draft for in
corporation in the covenant which
mentioned the Monroe Doctrine
specifically and largely was out
lined by Mr.. Taft himself.
3. With this In his pocket the
President went to the league meet
ing intending 10 OFFER it. but at
the last minute Lord Robert asked
him TO hold it up. and he gave no.
tioe that he would offer ii at the
meeting the following evening, in
the meantime having discussion
deferfed OF Article ", TO which
II was attached.
4. On the following day 1t was
made clear definitely TO the Pres
ldent that Premier Lloyd George
objected to the Monroe Doctrine
stipulation, the result being that
the President was unable to offer
1t that evening and no mention
whatever was made OF the mat
ter nor Of Article ", the cove
nant going to the drafting COM
mittee then.