The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1919-08-21
COMMITTEE CONFERS
WITH PRESIDENT
President Does Net Object to "Inter.
precautions BY Senate

washington, Aug. lS.-President
Wilson told the foreign relations CON-
mittee today that ne could see no
reasonable objection" to interpreta-
tions of how the United States ac-
ccpts the League OF Nations covenant,
provided such interpretations did not
form a part Of the formal ratification
itself.
Article 10, the president told the
senator's. was not of doubtful interp-
rotation when read in connection with
the whole covenant.
The council. he said. could only lad
| visc," and as It's action must be unan-
imous the Affirmative vote Of the Unit.
cd States would be necessary for any
question affecting It.
II Interpretations were part of the
formal ratification the present con
tended. long delays would follow and
| other governments would have to ac-
cept in effect the language OF the g n
ate as the language or the treaty be-
fore ratification would be complete.
Most OF the interpretations. the presi-
dent said, seemed to HIM to suggest
the plain meaning Of the instrument
itself
Article l6. the president said, pro-
vided that where there Is a dispute
found to be solely within the juris-
diction of one OF the parties under In
ternational law. the league council
shall so report and make no recon-
~mendation for its settlement.
immigration and the tarin, the pres
ident said. clearly came under that
provision.
President Wilson began his confer
ence with the senate foreign relations
committee at the White House today
with a statement ON the peace treaty
and the League OF Nations.
He said: Members Of the foreign
relations committee: Gentlemen: !
am sure I appreciate tine way IN which
you have responded to my intimation
that / would welcome the opportunity
for q fun exchange Of views.
II hope. too, that this conference
| will serve to expedite your considera-
, ton of the treaty Of peace. j pray
that you win pardon and indulge me
for reiterating the statement that a
| return to normal conditions Of life ana
industry waits upon the decision Of
the senate in regard to the treaty Of
peace. /.
IL venture again to suggest that the
| action of the senate be taken at the
earliest practicable moment because
the problems with which WI are face
to face in the readjustment Of our ma
tional life are Of the most pressing
and critical character.
May / mention a few OF the matter
| which cannot be handled with intclli-
| gence until the treaty Is ratified? ]
do so only by a very few examples.
"The copper mines Of Montana and
Alaska. for example, are being kept
open and in operation only at a great
cost OF loss; the zinc mines OF Mis-
| souri,, Tennessee and Wisconsin are
being operated at about half capacity;
the lead Of Idaho, Illinois and Missouri
reach only a portion Of its former
market. The same is true of raw cot.
ton, of which the central empires
alone formerly bought nearly 1000.
900 bales. These are only examples
There Is hardly a single raw material
a single important fruit or a single
class OF manufactured goods which II
not in the same ase Our full nor.
NAL profitable productions are cut
short.
"Our military plans Of course, wai'
upon it We cannot intelligently Of
wisely decide how large a naval o.
military force we shall maintain OF
what our policy in regard to militar!
training shall be.
There are large areas OF Europ'
whose future will lie uncertain ant
questionable until their people know
the final settlement to be made.
Nothing. I am led to believe, stand
In the way OF the ratification of tn
treaty except certain doubts In regar'
to the reading and implications Q
certain articles OF the covenant of tn
League OF Nations, and I must frankls
say ! am unable to understand WIN
such doubts can be entertained"