Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-08-19

Interpretation, but in the very phrase
ology OF the Interpretation. because il
would form a part Of the contract. "
SENATOR KNOX-"It might with
us, because we have so much machinery
for dealing with treaties. but in other
countries where it is much more simple
| should think II would not be.
Discuss European Methods
A more or less general discussion ot
the method of dealing with treaties
abroad followed at that point. after
which Senator Fall suggested that vs
crvations to the league covenant coulC
be met. so far as Germany was con
cernCd, by her decision later on as tc
whether she would join the league.
THE PRESIDENT-"I differ with
you there. senator. One of the reasons
for putting the league In the treaty was
that Germany was not going to he ad
mittcd to the league Immediately. anC
we felt that il was very necessary that
We should get her acknowledgements
ceptanCe Of the league as an intcrna
tional authority. partly because we were
excluding her. so that she would there
after have no ground for questioning
such authority as tn" league might oxer
else under its covenants.
Germany Outside League
! SENATOR FALI-"Gcrmany is Ou
of the league. Any amendment pro
posed by the other members of fh'
| league prior to her coming into th'
league would not be submitted to her
would it, she not being a member"
THE PRESIDENT-"I will admi
that that point had not occurred t.
me. No, she would not
SENATOR FALL-''Then so Ear a
We are concerned we could make
recommendation in the nature of Al
amendment.
SENATOR HITCHCOCK-"Did
understand your first reply to Senate
Fall to be that Germany under thi
treaty already had relationship to tn
league by reason Of its intcrnationa
character. and its participation in
number Of questions that Germany wa
intcrested?'
THE PRESIDENT-'Yes.'
SENATOR HITCHCOCK-''It ha
n relationship to the league Of nation
even before the time that II may anpl
for membership"
THE PRESIDENT-''Yes.'
Senator Borah quoted Article Eleve
declaring ANY war or threat Of war.
n matter of concern to the league an
directing that "the league shnll TAX
any action that may be deemed wis
and offcctual to safeguard the peace {
l nations" He asked whether the Presi
dent applied the Interpretation of
: moral obligation also to that article
He replied his construction of Articl
: Eleven was the same as for Article Tel
SENATOR HARDING-"If there
nothing more than a moral obligatio
on the part Of any member of the league
: what availssArneles Ten and Eleven? ?
Round il Solemn Way
TIE pRESIDENT-"W'hy. senato
= it is surprising that that question shoul
be asked. IfJwf undertake an obliga
| tion we areyboV ind in the most socm
way to carry out
SENATOR HARDING-"Is 1t
, tmoral Obligation? The point 7 am try
ling u. get aH, is. suppose somethin
l tarises affecting the peace of the worlt
and the councn takes steps as provide
here to conserve or preserve. and an
I nounces it's deeision. and every nation
the league takes advantage Of the con
struction that you place, upon thos
articles Gnd says we'll this is only
, moral obligation. and we assume ths
the nation involved does not deserve OIL
particinatien or protection. and Il
o whole fling amounts to nothing but a
exprrsson Of the league council.
~ THE PRESIDENT" There is
, national good conscience in such "A ma
ter. I should think that was one
\ the most serious things that could pos
= sibly happen. My understanding. whe
7 speak Of q legal obligation. I mou
one that specifically binds YOU to (
n particular thing under certain sane
tons. That is a legal obligation.
"Now a moral obligation is. of rours
superior to n legal obligation. and. if
may say so, has n greater binding fore
g In every moral obligation there Is n
element of judgment in legal oblgc
t tion there is no element Of Judgment
= Moral Obligation Stronger
8 SENATOR JOHNSON-"But. NJ
: President, when the moral obligatir
is undoubted it will mpPl rction mo-
readily than a legal obligation"
THE PRESIDENT-"If it is ur
: doubted. yes but that involves the Gil
e cumstances of the particular case.
The President thought a moral OF
9 legation, because of the element of judf
G meut. less likely to involve the cour
try in armed participation in triflir
. matters.
SENATOR HARDING - "Suppo,
' the allotted territory which comes III
= der the control of Italy should in son
u way be assailed from the Balkan stat
and the council of the league shou
y Immediately look upon that as threi
- of war involving other nations ar
- should say that the nations of the leagl
,,