The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-28
Former Presidential Candidate
Says He's for It
But Maintains Certain Interprc.
tatiOns Are Necessary.
SUGGESTS a RESERVATIONS
Z. s. Interests Must Be Protect
ed, He Says.
Says Over Third Of
Senate Oppose Covenant.

Washington. July 2S.-Charles r.
Hughes. in a letter to Senator Freder-
ick Hale of Maine, made public today.
declared in favor of league of ma
tions. but maintained that certain
reservations and interpretations to the
present covenant were necessary to
protect American interests.
The senator wrote that he felt cer-
tain that considerably more than one
third of the senate would refuse to
ratny the peace treaty with the cove
nant as it now stands but that he per-
soRally did not want to see that hap
pen. He asked for an opinion as to
the validity of reservations to the
league covenant and as to what those
reservations should be-
Plain Need for League, Says Hughes.
There is plain need for a league of
nations" Mr.. Hughes wrote in reply,
in order to provide for the adequate
development of international law, for
creating and maintaining organs of
national Justice and the machinery of
cancellation and conference and for
giving effect to measures OF interna-
uonal cooperation which from time
to time may be agreed upon
Il perceive no reason why these OBJ
tects cannot be obtained without sacri-
ficing the essential interests Of the
United States There is a middle
ground between aloofness and inJur-
fous commitme ents.
Il think that the prudent course Is
to enter the proposed league with res
ervatons of a reasonable character.
adequate to our security, which should
meet ready assent, and thus to estab-
lish a condition of amity at the earliest
possible moment"
Suggested Reservations.
The interpretative reservations sug-
gested by Hughes were:
THAT any nation, after giving the
TWO years notice OF Withdrawn shall
cease to be a member Of the league
despite any charge of non-fulfillment
OF any international obligation, provid-
ing the withdrawal would not release
the power from any debt or liability.
THAT questions relating to immi-
grafton or import duties, when they
90 not affect any international en-
ters of domestic policy and not within
the Jurisdiction Of the league
3IThat the United States under r-
ticle. XXI of the covenant (referrinr
70 the Monroe doctrineD does not re-
nnquish any Of its traditional atti-
tude toward purely American questions
and that the United States may prevent
acquisition by any non-American pow
wovta,, 9a any territory or control in the
A+,,clntt M,,Tlhatt the United States under
assume obligation to employ its army
or navy In any expedition that is not
authorized by congress.
Hale's letter said that many OF us
are in favor of having the United
states enter league of nations, pro-
Nlded that in so doing we do not sac
rlLce the sovereignty or traditional
policies of our country" The senator
added that we believe the proposed
covenant now before the senate does
make such a sacrifice"
1t is manifest that every reasonable
effort should be made to esta blish
peace as promptly as possible" said
Hughes. and to bring about a condi-
ton in which Europe can resume it's
normal Industrial activity.
Covenant n Mere Start.
"One must take light hearted view
OF conditions in the world to assume
that the proposed plan will guarantee
peace" he said. Rather the pro-
posed covenant should be regarded as
mere beginning"
According to Hughes 1.-THE prudent
course would be to enter the proposed
league with reservations of a reason
able character which should meet with
ready assent"
Regarding the validity of reserva-
tions. Hughes said there was no need
TO assume that a reservation would
lead to the complete failure of the
treaty or compel resumption of the
peace conference. when the reserva-
tion leaves unimpaired the main pro-
visions of the covenant He added
that any nation making reservations
''is not bound further than It agrees
to be bound"
Referring to Article X as trouble
breeder and not a peace maker"
Hughes said:
ut is idle to attempt to commit
free peoples to the making Of war In
an unknown contingency when such
war may be found to be clearly op-
posed to the dictates of justice
"Of course. a Limitation of the oper-
ationsof article X to period Of years
would be preferable to the indefinite
obligation proposed. But. In my iudg-
ment it would be better that. IL arti-
Gle Y is not eliminated. a reservation
and interpretative statement should
be adopted"
In addition TO article X. Hughes at
tackled article fright Of with
drawaD article XIV (relatinE to do
mestic matters). and article XXI IRE
| lating to the Monroe doctrine) He
contended that the descriptive phrase
employed in article X is Inaccurate
and the meaning of the article is far
/ from clear"
D. 6. C TO MfsSOurtauS