The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-09-25
French Premier Says That It Was Because League Considered Insufficient That Protective Treaty Between France, Britain and U. s. Was Formed
BY Associated Press

Paris, September 24.-In an explanation to the Chamber of Deputies today, Premier Clem- enceau, after declaring that tho league of nations could exist even though rejected by the United States Senate, asserted that it was precisely becaus ; the French felt that the league of nations was an insufficient guarantee for some years to come that the protective treaties of alliance between France, Great Britain and the United States were drawn up.
 The possibility of disqualification of the peace treaty and the covenant of the league of nations by the United States Senate; the consequence in such event, t6 the guarantees for the future of France. and the question whether the league of nations could exist without the United States as q member, occupied the entire afternoons debate.
 The vote in the United States Senate one of the amendments, is regarded one fthe amendments, is regarded here as significant and caused surprise in the French chamber. Louis Barthou repeatedly asked the government for explanations.
 CAN EXIST WITHOUT AMERICA
 Andre Hardieu and M. Pichou, tho foreign minister, replied, but the cham her was not satisfied. Premier Clem- enceau then declared that even in the event of the United States Senate not voting for the league of nations cov- enant, the league could exist. The trea- ties constituting a protective alliance between France, Great Britain and the United States. he added, were not de- pendednt upon the league. They would come into force, and France would be protected
 During the course of M. Tardieu's $ speech, M Bartbou interrupted and demanded an immediate reply as to what situation France would be placed in should the United States not ratify.
 He added that it was through deli cacy he had refrained from asking this question before. as he wished and hoped that the Senate would finally begin the discussion and reach its con clusions
 But now this seemed hopeless, and the question must be settled imme- diately, as American ratification was distant. If it occurred at all"
 M. Tardieu declared that he person. ally was satisfied that the United states Senate would ratify the treaty.
 NJ. Barthou countered. saying that he was far from satisfied, and citing the vote of 43 to 40 on Senator Lodge $ motion for postponement as "a fair warning of the ultimate fate of the pact"
 NJ Pichou's reply that Illegally speak ing the league could exists without Americas. particip cipatiop brought the re- tort from NJ. Barthou that what France wanted was political guarantees. not 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 all liance between France and Great Brit ain and France and the United States exist Nevertheless. it was precisely because we felt that the league of na- tions was an insufficient 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 o-British-American treaties. which constitute sufficient guarantees for France"