The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1919-12-01

These reservations were supported
by a very large number of the Dem
ocrats of the Senate. After the res
ervations offered by Senator Hitch
cock on two particular subjects were
defeated, then voted for the commit
lee reservations, covering the same
points. Here | may say Senator
Hitchcock himself voted for one or
more of the committee reservations.
You may also recall that the Presi-
dent repeatedly stated in speeches
throughout the West that he did not
object to reasonable interpretative
reservation. | supported these reser-
yations because | honestly believe
that it was safer for America that we
make plain in the resolution of rati-
fication our understanding as to the
meaning of vital parts of the cove.
nant of the League instead of leaving
them open to the construction which
may here after be placed upon them
by the representatives of foreign pow.
ers Honesty with my country, and
myself-respect impelled me under
these circumstances to vote against
the unconditional resolution of ratifi.
cation offered by Senator Underwood
Had | voted otherwise | would have
displayed a lack of manhood and the
courage of my convictions. | prefer
standing up as a man even il it dis
pleases you. | voted for reserva
tion stating that if America decided
to withdraw from the League upon
two years notice that our nation
should be the judge as to whether OF
not its obligation had been performed
] wanted to make it plain that we
could withdraw if we decided to dc
so, even though the other nations
may object | voted for reservations
setting forth that it was Americas
understanding that we were to retain
exclusive control of our Domestic and
Home affairs, naming such as immi
grafton, labor, coastwise traits, com
merce, and other similar questions
that our military and naval force
should not be sent for the purpose Of
defending the territorial integrity ant
existing political independence o.
other nations, unless first authorized
! by Congress; that the United States
should not be bound by any decision
or action of the League when Grea
Britain and her self-governed colonies
had cast more than one vote a:
against the one vote of the United
States; that the United States re
served to itself the Monroe Doctrine
and should be the judge of meaning
and scope of this doctrine, and | alst
favored making it plain that the Uni
ted States coud not accept a mandate
to police any other nation unless Con
gress first agreed to the mandatory
Each and all of these reservations
were in line with the meaning of thu
sections of the covenant as Presiden
Wilson interpreted them. AS hi
construction, however, would have nj
binding effect upon the members o
the League, that would hereafter con
strue the document, ! felt that the
safest and best plan for conserving
Americas interests beyond all ques
ton was to support these reserva
tons. 1t seems that you prefer tt
leave the matter of constituting thi.
document to foreigners, who ma.
have altogether different ideas of it,
meaning from that placed upon it b,
President Wilson. In this you and
disagree. ] am heartily in favor of ;
League of Nations, and no one de
sires more than myself to see sin
cere effort made towards bringing
about reduction of armament an(
the Worlds peace.
Most Respectfully,
| PARK TRAMMELL.