Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-10-24

matically adjusted to the means Of subsistence.
REJECTING THE TREATY
II the> agreement, which is reported to have been
reached by Republican senators and some Democrats,
stands. the effect is the rejection of the peace treaty.
There has been a great deal of discussion of the relative
status Of amendment and reservation. and a good many
exceedingly fine hairs have been split in these discussions.
For all practical purposes, however, no matter what form
may be used the adoption of a resolution by tn senate
advising ratification with conditions attached requiring
the assent of other parties to the treaty before ratification
can take effect is an amendment to the treaty. and amend
ment means rejection.
The peace conference at Paris prepared a certain
document in a certain form for submission to various gov
ernments interested. Those governments were at liberty
to accept or reject. 1t at their pleasure, but no matter what
course may be pursued later there is no choice in the
meantime between acceptance and rejection. We accept
the treaty as it stands or we do not accept it as it stands.
IT we do not accept 1t as it stands. and suggest accept
ance of certain. conditions, we propose in effect that a new
treaty be considered, and submitted to the neighboring
powers 1t may be presumed that there is one difference
In form between outright rejection of the proposed treaty
and submission Of the new one, and the incorporation Of
suggested changes in the resolution covering the subject.
1t may be a question whether, It the suggested changes
are approved by the senate in a resolution of ratification,
tAAss ~ou'o amount TO approval OF the treaty 50 amended
as If it were submitted afrcsh. The evident impression
in Washington is that if the pending resolutions are adopt
ed and incorporated in a resolution t ratification, and this
is followed by the submission of the whole subject to the
other powers and their acceptance follows, no further ac-
ton by the senate will be necessary. But in so far as this
procedure relates to the attitude of the other powers the
adoption Of these resolutions will amount to a pending
treaty by our senate.
The adoption Of reservations by the ~ Republican
senators and some six Democrats, which is about the pres
ent forecast, does not necessarily assure the passage of
the resolution Of ratification. There will still remain
about Al votes to be accounted for. Thirty-three negative
votes will defeat 4 resolution which requires a full two
thirds vote to pass. Hence, only a part Of those presum-
ably opposed to these resolutions can reject the whole
treaty, reservations and all. Moreover, it is not certain
that all Of the SIS votes said to be certain to favor the res
ervations will vote in favor of the final resolutions. sena-
tors johnson, Borah and Reed have been opposed to any
League OF Nations whatever. They have made no secret
OF TINS 1act. They have attempted by the use first of
Amendment. then Of reservations, to defeat the whole
proposition and there is no assurance that when the fina,
vote comes they will: not vote in the negative.
The whole situation, therefore, with reference to the
action Of the senate, is left in doubt. Beyond that. there
is the question Of what the presidents course will be in
case a ratification resolution Incorporating these reserva-
tons should be adopted. Mr.. Wilson has said in almost
so many words that he would consider action similar to
that now under consideration a rejection of the treaty.
Unless his attitude changes, therefore, it is expected that
he would refuse to take further steps in relation to this
particular treaty. That would leave the treaty ratified
by several Of the powers, and a condition of peace estab-
lshed between those powers and Germany, while the
United States would remain teachnically at war with
Germany. A more confusing situation could hardly be
imagined.
Except that It Is universally corrupt despotline.
oppressive and very much "manana,' 2 former Consul Cen
eral Chamberlain seems to think the dominant class in
Mexico 10 III right.
II the senate ratifies the peace treaty on .rmisttc.
day, November live shall have In future years q doubl,
reason for only half Of one. for celebrating on that day.
Let " hope now that the succes1 Of the Cincinnati
Reds win not make the other kinl OF "reds.5 think
they, too. can got away with 1t.
The house In washinston has voted to srspsa, me
Canadian reciprocity act. but the border win remain fort
len and gunless, thanks b. q
--------.---- go s
The ~sussesaons that the Industrial conference under
take to settle ne labor difienity without the presence Of
tho labor delesates = bound to prove fruitie~. The At
tutude which resulted In the wtthdraval Of the labor DEL
aegates 80 ) first clas xblnnder.
Yin the 8eless ~ The active building seaaon. the INIT
III eeasss faesssa Housing shortage equal to9 the. needs iced 81
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