Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-07-25

In many respects the covenant Of the League Of Ma
tons Is not as MI. Taft would have written it. There is a
good basis for the belief that 1t is not as it would have been
written had Mr.. Taft. instead of Mr.. Wilson, headed the
American commission. But such as 1t il, 1t Is written, and
there 1t stands, and, notwithstanding his conviction that in
certain particulars another form would have been more
desirable. he has not sought to pick flaws in 1t, but. recog-
ed his own willingness to accept it as it is, has urged the
representative men of his party to do likewise, and has
stumped tho country in its advocacy and defence. None
but a big man could have conceived that course Of action.
and none but a big man would have had the patience,
courage and persistence to carry it out.
Mr.. Taft has shown fine idealism in his conception of
q League of Nations and in the shaping Of his own course
in relation to it. He shows practical craftsmanship, in his
analysis Of the existing situation, and his suggestion OF
methods whereby it may be met. He declares specifically
that II he were in the senate he would vote for the peace
treaty just as it stands. asking for no explanations or res
ervations. He has repeatedly justified that attitude in the
nized as an undeniable fact that, whatever the grounds
for it may be, there is enough opposition in the senate to
the unqualified acceptance of the treaty to present the
danger of its rejection and the continuation Of the present
condition Of disorganization and uncertainty during the
indefinite period necessary for the negotiation Of a new
treaty.
Because Of his recognition of this situation, and be-
cause o Z MS earnest desire to avert the threatened danger
of postponement. he proposes that the treaty be approved
with explanatory memoranda which will meet the objec-
tons Of all but some half dozen who are determined to
not amount to such reservations as will necessitate its re-
submission to the powers which negotiated it and thus re-.
open the whole subject.
Mr.. Taft proposes six stipulations which he believes
will meet the situation. These, as they have been pub
lished, are:
That the United States may withdraw from the
league at two years notice without having the full
fillment Of her obligations passed on by the league;
that colonies may not be members of the central coun-
Gil at the same time with the parent country, or act
in cases where, as a party to the dispute. the parent
country is excluded; that the league shall operate IN
der Article X Containing the guarantee of defense
against external aggression) in an advisory capacity
only. and that each member shall determine for itself
questions Of war. this duty in the United States devolv-
ing on congress-; that matters of immigration, tariff.
and other domestic matters shall not be left to the
league for settlement; that at the end of ten years the
United States may with withdraw or terminate her obnga-
tons under Article x.
The third. fourth and fifth provisions as indicated
above. are merely interpretations Of the existing terms Of
the covenant No other Interpretation is reasonably pos
sible, but because, reasonably or otherwise, Mr.. Taft pro-
poses to state the meaning afresh in other. and perhaps
SP0CiA1C Iel1AS.
The second provision, relating to participation of col
onies, covers an omission in the original document. The.
participation of a colony az a member of the council, of
which the parent country is already a member, or in the
decision of cases from which the parent country is exclud-
ed because Of its interest in the subject matter would be
so obviously contrary to the entire spirit of the covenant,
and so contrary to the obvious proprieties that a concrete
case involving this point can scarcely be conceived, and. as
Mr.. Taft says, the proviso which he suggests was undoubt-
edly intended by all parties to be the basis of action,
There may be some question as to whether or not the
provisions in the first and sixth sttpulations would be con
strued by the other parties to the compact as to call for.a
re-drafting and the making Of similar provisions with ref
erence to all the member nations. Mr.. Taft is evidently. of
the opinion that it would not and If he is correct there can
be no sound objection to them.
The entire proposition made by Mr.. Taft is NOT 70
meet any objections Of his own, for he himself would rat
ny without Interpretation or amendment. But he makes
his suggestion as the best way out of a real difficulty. ana
for the purpose OF e%xpediting the ratification of the treaty.
and the c~onsummation Of peace.