Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-09-10
THE TREATY DISCUSSION.


Much as we admire his brilliant
oratory it cannot be said that the
presidents speeches have thrown any
new light on the peace treaty prob
lens that confront the senate and
the country.
He has urged the need for a league
of nations in order to minimize the
danger of recurring wars. but he has
not shown why the interests of the
United States should not be guarded
by interpretative reservations adopted
as part of the ratification. AT Colum-
bus-at other places he has used
almost Identical language-he said
II have not come to debate the
treaty. 1t speaks for itself if you Will
only let It. The arguments directed
against it are directed against it with
a radical misunderstanding of the in
strument itself. Therefore, / am not
going anywhere to debate the treaty,
] am going to eXpound it,"
Now this is an implied admission
that the treaty is gravely misunder-
stood by senator's who have studied It,,
In every speech the president has
credited at least some of the senators
who demand reservations with abso-
lutte honesty of purpose. He has as
serted over and over again that certain
of the senator's have met him face to
face and talked over their differences
earnestly and honestly. He can't
understand why they do not see the
whole matter as he sees it. But he
admits that they do not,
If these admittedly honest senators
misunderstood it, what warrant is
there that others. whose misunder-
standing may some day be of grave
import to the United States, may not
also differ from the president in their
Interpretation?
The reservations adopted by the
senate committee on foreign relations
are intended to clear away these rate-
full antiquities. If they do not change
the meaning of the treaty as the
president understands it-he under
be sure it means-why not consult
our future safety by adopting them?
The logic of this argument appeals
to a majority of the senate, which is
charged with the constitutional re-
sponsibility in the matter of ratifying
treaties. 1t appeals to Senator Shields
of Tennessee, to Hoke Smith of Geor-
gia, to Chamberlain of Oregon. and to
other democratic senators who can see
no harm, but much good in caution in
the commitments of the nation.
Shields is a member of the foreign re-
lations committee and has always been
what is known as an administration
senator. Yet he voted for three of the
four reservations proposed by Senator
Lodge.
The south is disturbed over the
dangers of entering the league without
reserving American principles and
rights. In two South Carolina districts
the other day candidates running on
single plank, for the congressional
nomination, support the president,
We're badly defeated in the primaries
Senator Simmons says the treaty
cannot be ratified without resarva.
tions, and Will II. Hays. republican
national chairman, says the same
thing, therefore, it is of no value to,
the treaty, whatever political capital
he may be able to make for his party,
for the president to go over the coun-
try making speeches in favor of the
ratification of the league without the
dotting OF an or the crossing of t.
But as mere pieces of oratory the
president has excelled anything he has
ever done before. even in his mastery
addresses during the progress of the
war.