Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-07-28
Former Candidate For Pres
ident Fav0rs Nations
League Principle.
SUGGESTS CHANGES
IN LEAGUE COVENANT
Would Make Withdrawal OF Nations
Easier and Leave Domestic Questions
Like Tariff and immigration to Ma
tions lnvoIved-Plan Would Place
Responsibility Of Ratification Up to
President Wilson. Aim

Washington. July 2s.--A number Of
reservations to the league covenant
have been suggested by Charles E.
Hughes under an opinion delivered
July "a to Senator Hale. Of New
Hampshire. The senator wrote to Mr..
Hughes that he felt certain that con-
siderably more than one-third Of the
senate would refuse to ratify the peace
treaty as it now stands, but that he
personally did not want to sec that
happen.
There Is plain need for a league Of
nations" Mr.. Hughes wrote in reply.
''in order to provide for an adequate
substitute for international law, and
for giving effect to measures of inter-
national cooperation which from time
to time may be agreed upon"
II perceive no reason why the OBJ
Jects can not be obtained without sac
rifcing the interests Of the United
States.
Reservations Held Essential.
II think the prudent course Is to en-
ter the league of nations with reserva-
tions Of a reasonable character and
adequate to our security which should
lead to ready assent and thus lead to
a condition Of amity at the earliest
moment. II the senate should concur
to reservations feel that these will be
made part Of the treaty and the
question is whether the senate will as
sent to these or not.
.'If the proposed reservations are
reasonable the responsibility for the
defeat cf the treaty viii lie with those
who sreftsse to assent to them. II the
senate gives its assent to the treaty
with reservations the concurrence Of
the president win still be necessary.
and the responsibility Of the rejection
or acceptance would thus lie with the
president"
Suggested Reservations.
After outlining his opinions on vari-
Gus parts of the covenant Mr.. Hughes
wrote on reservations as follows:
"The senate Of the United States ad-
vises and consents to the ratification
OF said treaty with the following res
ervations as to its Interpretation and
effects, to be made part Of ratif1ca-
tion:
"First-That whenever notice Of
withdrawal from the league shall have
been given as provided In Article Of
the covenant, the power giving the
notice shall cease to be a member Of
the league at the time specified In the
notice. notwithstanding any claim or
charge Of the nonfulflllment OF any
obligation under the covenant: provid-
ed that such withdrawal shall not re-
lease such nation from financial obli-
cations incurred.
"second-That questions relating to
immigration or the imposition of dut-
les on imports where such questions
are ones Of domestic policy, these or
any others Of sole domestic jurlsdic-
ton are not to be submitted to the
league OF nations.
Would Safeguard Monroe Doctrine.
"Third-That the meaning Of article
XXI Of the covenant Of the league Of
nations Is that the United States Of
America does not relinquish its ira
ditional attitude toward purely Amer
ican questions, and Is not required by
said covenant to, submit it's policies re-
garding questions which 1t deems to
be purely American questions to the
league OF nations or any Of its agen-
cies. and that the United States Of
America may oppose and prevent any
acquisition by any non-American
power by conquest. purchase or con-
troll or in any other manner Of any ter
ritory possession or control In tho
western hemisphere.
Congress Should Have Final Say.
Fourth the meaning Of ar
ticle x Of the covenant Of the league
Of nations - that the members Of the
league are not under any obligation to
act In pursuance Of such article as
they may decide 10 act upon on the
advice OF the council Of the league Of
nations. to undertake any military ex-
pedition, or to employ it's armed forces
on land or sea unless such action is
authorized by the congress Of the
exclusive authority to declare war or
to determine for the United States Of
America whether there Is any obliga-
ton on it's part under said article. and
the means or action by which any
such obligation shall be fulfilled"
In his detailed explanation Of reser-
vations he Thought necessary, Mr..
Hughes said that different construc-
tions had been placed upon Article l.
or the covenant regarding the right OF
withdrawal from the league. and ne
thought some clarifying statement
necessary.
Article XIV. Ambiguous.
IN Article XIV he said the clausc as
20 domestic matters, such as immi-