The Washington times., 1919-04-11
PRESIDENT VICTORIOUS
IN FIGHT FOR MONROE
DOCTRINE IN PACT

PARIS, April 11.-President VIII
Son personally announced at two
o'clock this morning that the Monroe
doctrine has been specifically ex-
enpted from any interference by the
league Of nations. This announce.
msnt followed a session Of the league
Of nations commission which started
early last evening and lasted until
we'll after one o'clock this morning.
me committees action represents
one Of the greatest victories won by
the Americans to date.
The President personally moved for
the adoption Of the exemption as
specific article in the league OF ma
tons covenant A general debate
followed, and the Presidents move
was finally unanimously agreed to.
Geneva First Capital.
The League Of Nations also selected
Geneva, Switzerland, as the first home
Of the league.
The decisions arrived at BY the
committee are subject to ratification
BY the plenary session OF the council
which will Re called when the report
is completed.
It is the general intention Of a ma
5orfty Of members Of the committee
10 urge that the initial meeting of the
League Of Nations be held In wash
ington next October, coincident with
the meeting there OF the international
labor conference.
In addressing the League Of Nations
committee, President Wilson made an
impassioned plea for the adoption Of
the clause specifically exempting the
Monroe Doctrine. He declared that
while IL was agreed by majority Of
the members Of the committee that the
original preamble OF the League OF
Nations constitution exempted the
Monroe Doctrine, public sentiment in
the United States was insistent that
the time honored Doctrine be com
pleteIy protected from any possible
Misunderstanding. Following his
gpeech the committee at once took the
natter up in general debate and the
unanimous agreement resulted.
Early Evening Wasted.
Despite the fact that the President
had been up since before o o'clock
yesterday morning. he devoted the
whole Of last evening to hghting
fer the exemption Of the Monroe Doc
trine. The early part Of the evening
was wasted debating unimportant
questions, the French delegates lead
ing In the discussions. They de-
Tnanded that the text be printed In
French alone. Other delegates in
sisted that the text be printed in both
French and English.
Women delegates also spent much
time in arguing for complete repre-
sentation and equal rights.
When the League of Nations COM
= d
morning eleven articles had been
.emption clause was added as q sepa-
rate article, which also included fec-
oEnition Of all specific agreements
making for the peace Of the world.
Although plainly fatigued, the
President Was very happy when he
was leaving the committee meeting.
Asked whether he could make any
statement for publication. he said:
I'VE are making good progress"
Specifically Exempted.
The President then explained that
TIE Monroe doctrine had been spe-
eihcaliy exempted Officials generally
accepted his announcement as mean
Ing that the greatest obstacle to the
ratification Of the peace treaty in the
United States had been removed.
The Japanese equality amendment
was not reached during the nights
discussion The japanese delegates,
when asked about il, said they had
not yet made up their minds whether
TO press their amendment before the
league Of nations committee or wait
md bring it before a meeting OF the
plenary council
It Is understood that while the de-
hates on the various questions waxed
warm at times, there was no bitter
Eess at all 1t was apparent that the
delegates only desired 10 secure alb
Rolute agreement whereby all nations
win be in accord when the treaty Is
finally completed.
Especial SignIfieanee.
Today's meeting OF the pIenary
council, which is being held to take
up the labor covenant. is the first
session Of that body since President
Wilson's return from America The