Evening star., 1919-09-05
Treaty Reservations.

A step toward definite action on tne
treaty of peace was taken yesterday
when the foreign relations committee
ssiapLsd the form of i resolution OF
ratification with four reservations en-
bodied in the approval. That resolu-
ton will now go to the Senate, ae-
companied by report which may re-
quire several days for preparation
The issue will then he joined distinct
ly in the Senate.
While the action of the committee
undoubtedly indicates the attitude of
majority of that body and possibly
foreshadows the position of a majority
of the Senate itself, it does not as
suredly mean that in the Senate itself,
when the treaty comes to vote, it will
be ratified with reservations so en-
bodied in the form of approval that
it will become necessary to refer the
whole case back to the other powers.
If the resolution is adopted as it
stands the treaty must go back. It
contains in the first paragraph the pro-
vision that the ratification is not to
take effect or to bind the United States
until the reservations and understand
ings have been accepted by = least
three of the four principal allied pow
ers-Great Britain. France, Italy and
Japan. This would seem to avoid the
necessity of reference of the treaty
to another peace conference, though
it is not assured that acceptances of
the American reservations could be
secured from three of the four powers
named.
As framed, the reservations virtual
" exclude the United States from the
league of nations. Its membership,
based upon a provision of uncondi-
tional right to withdraw, is limited in
practically all essentials. The United
States declines to assume any obliga-
tion to preserve the territorial integ.
rity or political independence of or to
interfere in controversies between
other nations, or to employ the mill
tary and naval forces of the United
States in such controversies, or to
adopt economic measures for the pro
lection of any other country. 1t re-
serves to itself exclusively the right
to determine what questions lie within
its domestic jurisdiction, and declares
that all domestic questions are solely
within its jurisdiction and are not sub
ject to consideration by the council or
assembly Of the league or to arbitra-
tion. 1t declines to submit for arbi-
tration or inquiry by the assembly or
council of the league any question re-
lating to the Monroe doctrine. which is
declared to be wholly outside the
jurisdiction of the league and unaf-
fected by any provision in the treaty
of peace.
On points three and four Of the
reservation there is probably but lit
tie difference of sentiment in this
country. The exclusion Of all domestic
questions and the Monroe doctrine
from international jurisdiction will
doubtless have general approval. On
the point embraced under reservation
No 2, which virtually eliminates the
United States from participation in
the league of nations, there are decided
differences of judgment. On point one.
bearing upon withdrawal, there can be
no question, as the covenant itself in
sures that right.
The real issue, apart from reserva-
ton No. 2, is as to the form of reser-
vation. Shall it be embodied in the
resolution of ratification Shall the
ratification of the United States be so
conditional as to make a reference of
the instrument back to other powers
necessary On these points the de-
bate in the Senate soon to begin-in
continuation of the somewhat academic
discussion that has been in progress
for some time-will turn. The hope
Is that that debate will not be pro-
tracted beyond the need of careful
consideration.