Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1919-12-04
RESERVATIONS WERE
HIGHLY IMPORTANT
Had for Object the Safeguard
ing of American Interests
Wherever Possible.

While nearly every one knows
that the peace treaty failed in the
Senate because Of being voted down.
after the reservation had failed, few
perhaps know just what these reser-
vations were, and still smaller the
number who have had the opportunity
to study them, and decide for them
selves, whether the Republican ma
jority in the Senate was right in its
belief, or whether that administra-
ton forces were correct in their
stand.
The failure of the treaty to obtain
ratification, came when it was sub
mitted to the Senate with the reser-
vatons attached. Later it was Of
fered again with the reservations and
again failed, and then the original
treaty, without the reservations went
to defeat, one lone Republican voting
for it in this way, while seven Dem
ocrats voted with the majority Re
publicans.
Opinion indicates that the treaty
was killed because the President
would not agree to certain rcserya-
tions that had been made, the admin
istration forces standing behind VII
son TO a sufficient extent TO keep the
treaty, with its reservations. from
obtaining the needed two-thirds vote.
The reservations which are passed
by the Senate and attached to the
proposed treaty are highly interest
ing and contain food for much
thought and deliberation. not only
from Republicans. but from members
of all parties. Following are the
reservations
Preamble; United States not to be
bound by treaty until at least three
of the other four big allied powers
agree IN writing to. recognize the
reservations attached to the treaty
by the Senate
!. United States. in case of with.
drawing from the league of nations.
is to be sole judge of whether it has
fulfilled its obligations; and notice
of withdrawal may be given by con
current resolution of Congress.
2 United States assumes no obH-
cation to preserve territoria! intcg-
rity or political independence of anv
other country or to interfere in dis
putes between nations or TO use its
forces in any such foreign
cause unless Congress specifically
it. (This reservation had
to do with the much discussed Arti-
Gle Ten).
3. United States is to accept no
mandate for the governing of any
territory under the league unless
Congress approves.
4. United States reserves the
right to decide what questions are
within its domestic Jurisdiction, in
'luding immigration, labor. coast
wise traffic, traffic in women and
children and dangerous drugs, etc.
.. The United States will not sub !
mt to arbitration any question af-
.ecting the long established policy
lnown as the Monroe Doctrine: and
aid doctrine is to be interpreted by
he United States alone and is here
~ declared to be wholly outside the q
of the league" (The Z
argest vote was given this reserva- t
ion of any, and marked big de- '
ertion in Democratic ranks).
8. The United States reserves full {
liberty of action with respect to any /
ontroversy which may arise between q
;hina and Japan regarding Shan d
ung. 7
Z. No persons are permitted to
epresent the United States in the n
ssembly and council of the league. o
n on other commissions, courts, tri O
unals, or conferences in such capac- o
" with out being authorized thereto p
" Congress and unless their ap- y
ointment is confirmed by the Senate. h
3. The reparations commission is e
ot to interfere with trade between o
his country and Germany unless
congress approves of it. G
8. The United States is not OBJ b
gated to contribute funds for the Il
sague or any agency Of it unless I,
congress appropriates such funds. Ii
10. II the United States agrees a
} any limitation of armament under II
ne league plan il reserves the right I,