Evening star., 1919-08-19

:
Senator Hitchcock: Did I understand
that Germany under this treaty already
had relationship to, the league BY rea-
son OF fts international character ana lts
participation In a number Of questions
that Germany was interested In?
The President: Yes.
Senator Hitchcocks That 1t has a
relationship to the league OF nations
even before the time that 1t may ap-
ply for membership?
The President: Yes
Statement on Reparation.
Senator McCumber: Mr.. President.
you answered one question that
think possibly may need a little elu-
reference to reparation your state
ment was that the commission would
have to decide whether the United
States should claim her proportion OF
the reparatiOn?
The President: That the commission
would have to do II? No. we decide
whether we claim it or not.
Senator McCumber: That is what
want to make clear. ] think the Ques-
tion was asked II the cosnmission
I, J.
.answer said yes. That Is the reason
i asked the question.
The President: The claim would
have to come from US, Of course.
Senator McCumber: It would have
to be through an act OF Congress.
would 1t not?
The President: I would have to be
instructed about that. senator; do
not know. ~
Senator McCumber: Whatever right
the United States would receive under
the treaty for reparation or indemnity
is one that runs to the United states.
and therefore to dfvest ourselves of
that right would require an act OF
Congress.
The President: To divest ourselves
of, it?' I suppose so.
Senator Knox: In the question Of
done by a Joint resolution.
Senator McCumber: I thought he
said 1t would have to be decided by
the constituted authority.
Senator Knox: I did not understand
that he said that.
Ratification by Senate.
Senator Swanson: L understand
that the repaEation il to DO decided
upon a representation made by the
associated powers 1t would seem
that the President under that agree
ment with France. Great Britain and
other nations would have to submit it
to the Senate for ratification, and tho
agreement would have to be reported.
Senator McCumbeF: In every case
it would have the force of law.
Senator Swanson: If the Senate
wanted to ratify it. it would take an
act of Congress.
Senator Williams: This question of
reparation does not in any way affect
our rights to pre-war indemnitiea
The President: That is expressly
stated.
Senator Williams: That is express
W stated Now. then, ene other eues-
tion. Germany has signed this treaty
with the covenant of the league in it.
and she in subject to be dealt with as
a non member under the treaty, and
has very much fewer privileges than
a member.
The President: Yes.
No Action as to Secrecy.
Senator New: Mr.. President, may I
ask a question there? What effort
was made by the delegates there to
prevent the proceedings of the repa-
rations committee being required to
be secret?
The President: beg your pardon.
senator.
Senator New: What effort. if any,
was made by the American delegates
to prevent the proceedings of the
reparation commission from being
required TO- be secret. and did the
American, delegates protest that
America be omitted from this COM
mission on account. of that thiRe?
The President: Nothing was said
about it that I remember.
Senator Borah: Mr.. President, COM
ing back for a moment to the subject
from which we were diverted a mo-
ment ago, and coupling with article
10 article IL, in order that we may
have the construction of the commit
tee which framed the league as to
both Of those articles. as I under
stand 1t from your statement, the
committees view was that the obli-
cations under articles 10 and II,
whatever they are. are moral obliga-
The President: Remind me of the
eleventh. do not remember that by
number.
Senator Borah (readins): ANY war
diately affecting any Of the members
of the league or not, Is hereby de-
clared a matter Of concern to tho
whole league. and the league shall
take any action that may be deemed
wise and effectual to safeguard the
ticuisriy anxious to know is whether
or not the construction which was
placed ON these two articles by the
committee which framed the league
was ore that 1t was binding ob1tga-
ton from legal standpoint, or mere
ly a moral obligation.
Force Of Moral Obligation.
The President: Senator. ! tried to
answer with regard to article 10.
Senator Borah: Yes, exactly.
The President: I would apply it
equally with regard to article ii,
though l ought to hasten to say that
we did not formulate those interpre-
tations. / can only speak from my
confident impression from the de-
bates that accompanied the formula
tion Of the covenant.
Senator Borah: Yes, I understand
and your construction of article II is
the same As article 10.
The President: Yes.
Senator Borah: AS to the question
of legal obligation. That is all de-
sire to ask at present.
Senator Harding: Right there, Mr..
President, II there is nothing more
Of any member Of the league, what
avails articles 10 and IL?
The President: Why, senator. 1t Is
surprising that that question should
be asked. If we undertake an obliga-
tion we are bound in the most solemn
way to carry it out.
Discuss What Moral Obligation Is.
Senator Harding: II You believe there
u nothing more to this than q moral
obligation any nation will assume a
moral obligation on its own. account
Il 1t . moral obligation? The point I