The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1919-07-13

through everything that comes from
the Presidents hand just as it is;
they fear that if beneficial amend
ments or interpretations of the cove
nant are adopted, political capital
will be made out OF them for the Re-
publicans in the next election.
1t would be pleasant to assure the
reader that both domestic factions
have agreed to unite in considering
these great issues. pregnant with the
fate of the world. In their bearing
upon future generations rather than
upon a poll to be taken in this coun-
try in 1920. But 1t is unfortunately
impossible to give that assurance.
Pass on Interpretation.
Washington opinion is that the
treaty of peace will be ratified, in
Guiding the league covenant, but that
resolutions will be passed interpret
ing the meaning of certain clauses
in the covenant in such a way that
Americas obligations to the league
will be made less. There IS a purely
partisan way of looking at this mat
ter. and I regret to say that many
Republicans and Democrats alike see
the settlement through political spec
facles. There are as many Demo
Gratis who insist that party prestige
demands no alteration in what tho
President has done. and who refuse
to consider objections on their mer-
its. as there are Republicans who de-
clare that changes must be made so
as to enable them to shout from the
stump next year that the c. o. p.
prevented Wilson from throwing away
American liberties and gave the eoun-
try a real peace and a real league
of nations.
There il widespread distrust of Ar
ticle 10 Of the league covenant. This
feeling. among Fasteners who close
~ watch European affairs, has in
tensified since the publication of the
text of the whole treaty. Any boun-
Diary lines in Eastern Europe, o.
pecially those of Poland, are held
TO be arbitrary and not based upon
any principles. These compromise ar
engagements in many instances have
pleased nobody. Yet under Article
10 the members Of the league, it is
pointed out, must unite in action
against a nation which makes an at
tack upon a frontier drawn at Yer
sailles.
If President Wilson proposes that
me United states assume a mandate
over Armenia, this extension of our
responsibilities will be bitterly oppos-
ed in the East. 1t is felt by most
men with whom talked that the DO
sftion Of the Monroe doctrine under
the league is not sufficiently clear.
What is to prevent the league council
from asking for example. Great
: Britain to assume a mandate over
Mexico?
Venturing into Wall Street, and in
to some of the New York clubs where
the leaders of finance and big busf-
ness" congregate about other dif1-
culties than those which are urged
by critics in Washington. 1t is, of
course, impossible to find many men
in Wall Street who are not intensely
bitter against the President. and this
prejudice must be allowed for in con-
sidering what they say about interna-
tional affairs.
Wall Street Is afraid that the league
of nations will find means to gain
advantages for Europe at the expense
of American trade and finance.
Labor Clauses Cause Worry.
The labor clauses in the treaty
also worry American big business.
They point out that all over the
Continent excepting in France
most Of all in Great Britain-Labors
rsdicalisW is gaining power and
winning concessions as yet I'M
dreamed af I'm he Irnita1