The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-29

President Calls on Senate to
Pass French Defense Treaty.
Presents FrancO-American Pact
to That Body Today.
ONLY TEMPORARY AGREEMENT
VIII End When League Able to
Protect France.
Submission Comes After Sharp
Criticism by G.. o. P.

Washington, July 29.-America is
bound by its debt to France to ratify
the treaty pledging military aid to
that nation in event OF unprovoked d
German attack. President Wilson told
the senate today, in submitting the
French-American defensive agreement
for ratification.
The presidents address was in mes
sage form. He did not follow his
usual custom of going to the capitol
and presenting the treaty in person.
He explained that the situation of
France seemed to require a special
temporary pact, under which the
United States and Great Britain vol
unteers to anticipate action of the
league of nations by going Immediate
ly to the aid of France should Ger
many strike.
Only Temporary Pact.
he made it plain that as soon as
the league council shall decide that
the league itself is sufficient guaran-
tee of Frances safety, the special
treaty will no longer remain in force.
The president emphasized that there
is no doubt expressed or implied in
Frances urgent request for the spe-
cial treaty, of the ultimate efficacy of
the league. But, he added. "the years
imm ediately ahead of US contain many
incalculable possibilities"
He explained how the league is en-
powered only to advise military action
by members; how that might involve
delay which in the case of surprise at
tack by Germany might prove fatal.
Moved by Gratitude.
The United States. the president
pointed out. owes France a special
debt of gratiture, which we can never
fully repay" but this treaty, he urged.
will be an expression in the fullest
sense of our gratitude for French help
in winning our independence.
1t was this. he said. which moved
him as much as anything else to sign
the treaty.
The president took occasion to urge
early ratification, not only of this spe-
cial treaty but of the peace treaty as
well.
The presidents messenger arrived
at the senate chamber soon after the
senate met 1t was not until an hour
later that Senator Lodge found oppor-
tunity to move that the message be
laid before the senate in open session
To this there was no objection and the
presidents message was read. With
the rDeaty. 1t was at once referred to
the foreign relations committee.
Submission of the treaty came after
sharp criticism by senate Republicans,
who for several days had openly
charged on the senate floor that in
failing to present the draft of the pact
along with the treaty of Versailles, the
president had violated one of the ar
ticles of the document.
FOrestalIcd G. o. p. Revolt?
President Wilson's decision to submit
the special French treaty of defense
to the senate without delay may have
forestalled a revolt by Republican
senators which might have delayed
ratification of the Versailles treaty.
While the president. in his room at
the capitol. was informing Democratic
senators that he will submit the docu-
ment within a few days possibly today
Senator Lodge and Senator Brande-
gee were comforting on plans to have
the foreign relations committee stop
work on the peace treaty until the
French agreement had been presented.
Bran6egee said just before talking
with Lodge that if the president did
not submit the French treaty before
leaving on his speaking tour. a resolu-
tion will be introduced to have the
committee stop work. Such a resolu-
tion would have tied up the treaty in
committee at least until the presidents
return.