Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-11-21
SENATOR SMITHS
SPEECHIN BEHALF
OF RESERVATIONS
BY THEODORE T1n1ER

WASHINGTON, Nov. Ex-senator
Hoke Smith, of Georgia, taking part
in the closing debate on the Lodge
resolution proposing ratification of
the peace treaty with reservations,
explained that, although the Ian
guage of the reservation was in some
instances not what he desired, he
thought 1t far better to ratify the
treaty with these reservations than
to ratify it without reservation. He
emphasized that he followed his own
convictions In the matter without in
fluence from anyone else, and that
he acted for the good of the country
as he saw 1t. 1t is his belief, he
said, tnat the language of the League
covenant is in many instances I'M
certain and doubtful, paving the way
for possible future disputes. He
voiced strong opposition to Article
10. His speech follows:
"Mr. President, !, have given the
best thought of which 1 was capable
to this treaty and to these reserva-
lions. 1 have declined to allow my
views to be controlled by those of
any one else. There are parts of
IIl6S0 IcSSIRdllOuS that dO llOI dC~
cord with exactly what I would pre-
fer.
1.-The Introductory resolution,
think, is ill-advised. 1 believe it
would be much better if, by acquies-
cenee, the other nations agreed to
our action, and if our treaty with
Germany was In no sense dependent
even upon their acquiescence. 1 re-
gard the language in the Monroe
Doctrine reservation as too extreme,
and also in the Shantung reservation.
10 Clear Up Uncertainty.
But. Mr.. President, the treaty
with these reservations is vastly
better than the treaty without them.
AS between the treaty with these
reservations and a resolution of rati-
fication without reservations, l have
no difficulty in reaching a conclus-
ion. These reservations free the
treaty from language of uncertainty.
They take from it provisions doubt
full, provisions which both on ac-
count Of uncertainty and their doubt
full nature must necessarily lead to
disputes, and from disputes to war.
"There is no intelligent provision
IN the treaty as to who shall de-
terminc whether nation seeking to
withdraw has complied with It's OBJ
legations The second reservation
clarifies that question, and declares
that the United States will pass for
itself upon the question of a per-
Torrance of it's obligations in case Of
notice to withdraw.
"The language of the treaty with
reference to our domestic problems,
including immigra ton. with + refer
ence to the questions that are to be
investigated by the council and even
submitted to arbitration. is doubtful
and unsatisfactory. 1T is language
calculated to bring dispute, and to
involve this nation in war. 1t is
language not to preserve peace, but
language to bring war. The reserva-
tion upon that subject is excellent,
and meets my hearty approval.
"The league covenent gives Great
Britain six votes and gives the Unit
ed States only one vote in the league
assembly. A reservation provides
that the United States will assume
no obligation to be bound by any
vote or decision of the league, where
member and it's colonies cast more
than one vote.
AS to Article 10
"Then. when we come to Article
10. the reservation is not quite as
strong as 1 wish it were, but it is a
vast Improvement upon the article
as it is found in the covenant.
cannot consent to see a treaty fasten-
ed upon this country. If 1 can pre-
vent it, which places upon our Coun
try the burden that the first para
graph of Article 10 places upon it.
hope no treaty will ever be rati-
fled with a reservation less strong.
SO far as Article 10 goes. than the
reservation now in this list of reser-
VationS. To preserve the status quo
of the world is practically it's eff
feet. After exquisite language about
freeing subject nations mad self
determination, expressing the atti-
tude of the United States, we prac-
tically assume under Article 10 the
burden of maintaining the status
quo. when nearly one-third of the
people of the world are subject ma
tionS under our four principal allies
cannot vote for such an article.
cannot vote to draft our boys for
every war and to maintain the pres
ent world status.
Il shall vote for the resolution and
the reservations that have been pre-
sented although, as l stated before.
in several respects / would be graft
fled to see them changed; but they
are so much better than the treaty
as it stands that, as L desire the
treaty ratified even with these res
ervations, I support them.