The sun., 1919-05-12
Wilson's Proposed Agreement
With France Makes Cross
ing Act of War.
HE TAKES UP DRAFT TASK
Senator Harris Believes Both
Houses of Congress Should
Pass on Plan.
ny LAURENCE HILLS.
Sto6 Correspondent Of TIE sry.

Copyright, 1913; all rights reserped.
PARIS. May 11.-President Wilson
has taken up with Secretary Lansing
the draft of the proposed engagement
with France. 1t fairly bristles with
difficulties-a fact which no one real
ICES more clearly than the Secretary
OF State. The proposed agreement
forms the principal topic OF interest in
American circles here.
1t now appears that the Presidents
letter to Premier Clemenceau did not
undertake to give the exact text which
he would submit, but did say that the
terms would involve the use Of the
American Army and Navy. The
French Interpretation, based on tina
Clemenceau letter, which has been
much discussed in official circles, un-
doubtedly is to this effect. If the en-
gagement is ratified the United States
will regard the Rhine in the light Of
an American frontier; in other words,
an invasion Of France will be equiva-
lent to an invasion of American terri
tory and require an instant declaration
Of war by the United States against
the invading Power.
Question of submission.
without precedent OF any kind to
guide them, the President and Secretary
Lansing are discussing the question as
to whether the proposed treaty must be
submitted to the House in addition to
the Senate, on the ground that it in
wolves the war making powers of the
Government. Senator Harris (Georgs)
who saw the President on Friday, be-
lieves that 1t should be submitted to
both houses. and feels sure that the
President will address a joint session Of
Congress for the purpose.
Experts on constitutional law here
admit that the plan again brings up the
question as to how one Congress can
bind future Congresses to take actual
military measures and provide the nee
essary funds. The same question has
been raised with regard to many clauses
In the League Of Nations covenant AS
viewed here. the whole matter is a new
constitutional question. about which
there will be much debate. though there
may be strong sentiment in the United
States on the side OF France
The Presidents friends here expressed
satisfaction at the reception it appears
to have obtained in America but un-
questionably the greatest doubt exists in
the Presidents immediate circle over the
success OF the plan in Congress. How
ever. the fact Is not overlooked that
simply by making fight for the treaty
the President will have fulfilled his
promise TO Premier Clemenceau-a
promise by which he was able to secure
a peace treaty with his league inter-
woven and thus fulfil his great object
here
French Press Enthusiastic.
Meanwhile, the French press Is natu-
rally wildly enthusia site over the pact,
La Figaro describing II as the verita BILE
capstone of the peace treaty Itself. The
paper refers to the criticism that the
proposal treaty must be ratified by Con-
gress. and that II IL is not so ratified
France will have only scrap OF paper.
but adds "In the first place the heads
OF the two Governments had no power
to promise more. but can any one sup
pose for a single instant that these
elected representatives of their nations
Will hesitate to validate a public promise
made to France?
I'm this engagement simultaneously
entered into by our allies we nave the
greatest confidence. 1t gives to the
peace treaty its greatest Significance,
for by II the conquerors reveal to Ger
many the firm resolution that she shall
not further disturb the world"
1t was intimated in American circles
that President Wilson at the proper