The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-25
SENATE'S VOTE
ALARMS FRANCE
Deputies See Possibility of Re-
lection Of Treaty by
United States.
CLEMENCEAU EXPLAINS
Premier Declares Protective
Treaty Will Stand Regard
less of League.

PARIS, Sept. 24.-The possibility of
non-ratification of the peace treaty
and the covenant of the League of
Nations by the United States Senate;
the consequences, in such event, to
the guarantees for the future Of
France, and the question whether the
League of Nations could exist with
out the United States as a member
occupied the entire afternoons de-
hate in the Chamber OF Deputies.
The vote in the United States
Senate yesterday, postponing consid-
Grafton of one Of the amendments, is
regarded here as significant, and
caused surprise in the French cham
Der. Louis Barthou repeatedly asked
the Government for explanations.
Andre Tardieu and NJ. Pichon, the
Foreign Minister. replied but the Cham
ber was not satisfied. Premier Clemen-
ceau then declared that even in the event
of the United States Senate not voting for
the League of Nations covenant. the league
could exist The treaties constituting a
protective alliance between France, Great
Britain and the United States. he added.
were not dependent upon the league.
They would come into force and France
would be protected.
During the course OF NJ. Tardieu's
speech M. Barthou interrupted and de-
handed an immediate reply as to what
situation France would be placed in
should the United States not ratify. He
added that II was through delicacy he
had refrained from asking this question
before as ne wished and hoped that the
Senate would finally begin the discus
sion and reach It's conclusion. But now
this seemed hopeless. and the question
must be settled Immediately, as Amer
ican ratification was distant, 'if 1t &C.
CURED at ALL"
NJ. Tardieu declared that he per-
sonally was satisfied that the United
States Senate would ratify the treaty.
NJ. Barthou countered, saying that he
was far from satisfied, and citing che
vote of 43 to 40 on Senator Lodges mo-
ton for postponement as "a fair warn
ing OF the ultimate fate Of the pact"
NJ. Pichon's reply that legally speak
ing the league could exist without
Americas participation. brought the re-
port from NJ. Bartou that what France
legal guarantees. He asserted that the
Government must face the issue imme-
diately.
Premier Clemenceau said:
SHOULD the United States reject the
League OF Nations, two treaties of alli-
ance between France and Great Britain
and France and the United States exist.
Nevertheless 1t was precisely because we
felt that the League of Nations was an
In nsufflcient guarantee for some years to
come that these treaties were drawn UP.
The League of Nations for the present
has nothing to do with the Franco-B Brit
ish- American treaties, which constitute
sufficient guarantees for France"
NJ. Clemenceau added that the League
cf Nations would not take up the re-
sponsibilities and guarantees entered
iuto by the treaties unless It was decided
to do so by a two-thirds majority when
the league was completely organized and
operating.
"If you are seeking to adjourn the de-
bate until America ratihes the treaty"
he said. "you may do so, but you shall
DO so without U.S."
The debate was adjourned until to-
morrow.