Daily Kennebec journal., 1919-07-24
TAFT TO FORE
(Continued from Pace One)

(NonSiuueo from rage OnoJ
gested that he should not appear
publicly at this time as their sponsor
because it might bias some Repub-
licans against them.
The letters. both dated Pointe-a-
Pic, Quebec. July 20, follow:
My dear Mr.. Hays:
In what I said yesterday I did
not go over the various interpreta-
tions and reservations, because /
thought that in our previous CORE.
spondence they were sufficiently ex-
planned. I think 1t wise now that
have formulated them and after
a good deal of thought. to take Up
my reasons in detail for suggesting
them.
Speaking generally I wish to en-
phasize my conviction that the Unit
ed States Senate might we'll ratify
the present treaty without any reser-
vations or interpretations. I am con-
f1dent that the actual operation of
the treaty after ratification would
bring about exactly the same result
as that which would be attained by
the acceptance Of these interpreta-
tions and reservations, but it seems
to be. the part Of statesmen to recog-
nize the exigencies, personal. parti-
san and political, of a situation in
seeking to achieve real progress and
reform.
THE situation which confronts us
now in reference to the ratification If
the treaty is one created by very Sc
rious mistakes Of policy committed by
MIR. Wilson. The partisan character Of
his administration during the war; to-
gether with his appeal to his country.
men to elect a Democratic Congress in
November, 1918, created a condition OF
personal and political antagonism to-
ward him among Republican leaders
which was shared by majority of the
American people. This was shown in
the results of the election. Notwith-
standing this. Mr.. Wilson persisted in
continuing the same partisan exclusion
o. Republicans in dealing with the high
ly important matter of settling the re-
suits Of the war. He selected a COM
mission in which the Republicans had
no representation and in which there
were no prominent Americans of any
real experience and leadership Of public
opinion. With such a commission his
unusual course in going abroad himself,
as President. greatly emphasized the
personal element in the framing of the
treaty and intensified the general ten
dency to oppose anything that he might
bring home because Of his apparent
wish to dictate the policy of the world
and to monopolize the credit for it.
"1 feel that some Of the defects Of
the League Of Nations are due to him. I
am confident that he prevented the
adoption Of the plan Of the League to
Enforce Peace in respect to an inter-
national court and the settlement of
justicisble questions This was, as I
am advised. in the English plan, but
was studiously omitted from the very
satisfactory American plan His pref
udice against courts is we'll known. Ar.
ticle X. think. is due to him prima-
rily. because it merely is the embodi-
pent of the last of his II points. While
it came from his suggestion, however,
it suited the demand Of the French, SO
far as it went. and believe it to be
now the heart of the league in tending
to unite the forces of the world in po-
THE power Of amendment contained
within the terms Of the league offers
full opportunity to remedy the defects
Of the league with reference to the in
ternational courts and in other prospects.
The great point which supporters OF
the League of Nations now should seek
is the establishment of theI basis upon
which. through amendment, the league
can be perfected. 1t is absolutely neces-
sary to retain Article X in order to
stabilize the world. The fluid conditio.,
Of the region OF the w4r threatens the
stability of the world, and it needs the
united forces of the world to restore
normal conditions of selfmaintenance.
In my judgment. therefore, it would be
most unfortunate if the cautionary in
fiuence of Article X may not be re-
tanned in the crucial decade through
which the world Is to pass.
The attitude of hostility toward the
President has aroused criticism and op-
position which might have been avoided
had he taken with him such man as
MIR. Root and two representative of the
foreign relations committee In the Sem
ate. The criticisms thus aroused have
stirred the consciences Of q number Of
Republican senators and have endan-
eered the ratification of the league by
a two-thirds vote of the Senate.
"Mr. Wilson's influence with his Dem.
ocratic supporters in the Senate will
secure perhaps IS votes. Nineteen Re-
publican votes are needed, and the
question is how can they be secured
don't think they can be secured ex-
cept by relieving their consciences
through reassuring interpretations of
the league of such a character that
they are likely to be appreciated with
cut further negotiation and conference
and delay by the other nations who die.
tcted the peace. After consideration OF
the arguments made on the subject l
rave formulated these interpretations
and reservations with the hope thai
trey will suggest a basis of agreement
between the Democrats and sufncient
Republicans to ratify the treaty and
secure us the inestimable beneft OF
League of Nations which will be the
foundation for growth and development
irto a new era in our international re-
l'.tions.
1.-The attempt Of such men as Senator
Eorah. Senator Johnson. Senator Sher-
man and others to defeat the treaty
and the deliberate exaggeration OF the
shantunr feature Of the treaty do not.
I think. indicate the attitude of the ma.
jority Of the Republican party IN the
.v>ty h0 q -