The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-09-27
Premier Clemenceau Says the
League of Nations Not De-
pendent Upon U. S.
DEPUTIES ASK FOR
FURTHER EXPLANATION
Vote in United States Senate
Subject of Discussion in
French Chambers

Paris, Sept "a (By the Associated
Press.)-In an explanation to the
chamber of deputies today, Premier
Clemenceau, after declaring that the
league OF nations could exist even
though rejected by the United States
senate. asserted that it would be pre-
cisely because the French felt that
the league OF nations was an insult
cient guarantee for some years to
come that the protective treaties OF.
alliance between France, Great Brit
ain and the United States were drawn
up.
The possibility of,non-ratifcation OF
| the peace treaty and the covenant OF
| the, league Of nations by the United
States. the consequences in such
event to the guarantees for the fu-
ture of France and the question
; whether the league Of nations could
!; exist without the United States as 3.
member occupied the entire after
Moons debate.
The vote in the United States yes,
terday, postponing consideration OF
one Of the amendments, is regarded
here as significant and caused surprise
in the French chamber. Louis Bar
thou repe atedly asked the goveI nment
for explanations. &
Andre Tardieu and NJ Pichon, the
foreign minister, replied, but the
chamber was not satisfied. Premier
!CIemenceau then declared that evep
| in. the event Of the United States sens
ate not: voting for the league of nas
tions covenant, the League, cotiid ,ex1
ist. The treaties constituting a pro-
tective alliance between France. Great
Britain and the United States, he add
ed. were not. -depende upun the
league, They would come .iEtoffoEeeg'
and France would be protected.
During the course Of NJ. Tardieus
speech II. Barthou interrupted and
demanded an immediate reply as to
what situation France would be plac-
ed in should the United States not
ratify. He added that it was through
| aelicacy he slad refrained from ask
! ing the question before as he wished
aud hoped that the senate would final.
! ~ begin the discussion and reach its
conclusions. But now this. seemed
hopeless, and the question: must be
settled Immediately as American ratt-
fication was distant, "if it occurred at
| ALL A. Tardieu declared that he
F! personally was satisfied that the
United States senate woufd ratify the
treaty.
! N. Barthou countered. saying that
he was far from satisfied and citing
! the vote of 43 to 40 on. Senator
Lodges motion for postponement, q
"fair warning of the ultimate fate. OF
! the pact"
NJ. Pichon's reply that legally
speaking" the league could exist with
out Americas participation brought
| the retort from NJ. Barthou that
what France wanted was political
: guarantees, not legal guarantees. He
asserted that the government must
face the issue Immediately.
+ Premier Clemenceau said: Should
the United States reject the league Of
nations, the treaties Of alliance be-
tween France and Great Britain and
France and the United States exist.
Nevertheless. it was precisely be-
cause we felt that the league OF ma
tons was an insufficient guarantee for
somc years to come that these treaties
were drawn up. The league of ma
tions for the present has nothing 20
Go with the Franco-British-A American
treaties which constitute sufficient
fs, TVco,1