The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-20

subject, and nobody has any doubt as
to what was agreed upon.
The Chairman--I asked the question
because 1t seemed to me a matter of
great importance.
The President-Yes, It is
The Chairman-As a matter Of self
protection. 1t seemed on the face Of II
that the treaty would give the FIVE prin-
cipal allied and associated Powers the
authority TO make such disposition as
they saw fit Of those islands, but
did not know whether the secret treaty
would thwart that purpose. have
no further questions to ask. Mr.. Presi-
dent.
At this point Senator Borah took up
the questioning and brought from the
President that the United States alone,
II 1t desired to withdraw from the league.
| would pass on the question of whether
or not it had fulfilled its obligations
| and was entitled to withdraw. Its own
conscience would decide. the President
| said, and other nations would be power
| less to say otherwise.
The conversation follows:
Senator Borah-Mr President, II no
one else desires to ask question want.
| SO far as l am individually concerned, to
get little clearer information with ref
| erence to the withdrawal clause In the
1
question of the fulfilment of our inter-
national obligations, upon the question
whether a nation has fulfilled its inter-
national obligations7
Withdrawal Clause Deemed.
The President-Nobody.
Senator Borah-Does the council have
| anything to say about II?
The fredericksburg whatever.
Senator Borah-Then IL a country
should give notice OF withdrawal 1t
would be the sole Judge of whether or
not II had fulfilled its international OBJ
legations. its covenants to the league?
The President-That Is as / under
stand it. The only restraining influence
would be the public opinion of the world.
Senator Borah-Precisely. but II the
| United States should conceive that it
had fulfilled it's obligations that ques-
ton could not be referred to the council
in any way. or the council could not be
| called itno action?
| The President-No.
| Senator Borah-Then. as understand,
| when the notice is given the right to
| withdraw is unconditional?
The President-Well, when the notice
Is given 1t is conditional on the faith of
the conscience of the Withdrawing ma
/ ton at the close OF the two year period.
| senator bOran--tTeClsely. out IL is
| unconditional so far as the legal right
or the moral right is concerned?
The President-That is my interpreta-
| ton.
Senator Borah-There is no moral OBJ
legation on the part of the United States
to observe any suggestion made by the
| council?
! The President-Oh, no. O..
| Senator Borah-With reference to
withdrawing7
The President-There might be a
| moral obligation II that suggestion had
weight, Senator, but there is no other
| obligation.
Senator Borah-Any moral obligation
which the United States would feel would
be one arising from its own sense OF
obligation?
The Presdent-Oh, certainly.
| Senator Borah-And not by reason OF
any suggestion by the council?
| The misunderstanding.
Senator Borah-Then the idea which
has prevailed in some quarters that the
council would pass upon such obligations
Is an erroneous one from your stand
point?
The President-Yes, entirely. ..