The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1919-06-16
RATIFY 1T WITH RESERVATIONS.


and the league of nations are mere proposals
so far as the United States is concerned, unless
ratified by the senate. Therefore there is no
possibility of "affronting" friendly governments
by scrutinizing and revising the proposals.
The senate, however, may just as well exer-
else it's authority in the manner best calculated
to reassure allied peoples and to facilitate early
peace. The treaty may be amended or it may
be ratified with reservations. Either method is
effective in preserving the rights of the United
States The first, however, is cumbersome and
tedious as it would necessitate the action of
other governments on the American amend
ments unless those governments were content
to leave the United States out of their reckoning
with Germany. The second method is just as
effective and does not interfere with the imme-
date execution of the treaty and the operation
of the league of nations so far as Europe is
concerned.
President Wilson said the league of nations
and the peace terms would be so interviewer
mat they could not be separated without de.
stroying the whole structure of peace. Evidently
he had in mind the amendment of the treaty
and not ratification with reservations If he had
paused to consider the history of treaties in the
senate, he would not have been so sure that the
Interviewing process in Paris would present
difficulties to the senate in considering separ-
ately the peace terms and the league of nations
The senate in the ratification process can do a
little Interviewing of its own, which will be be-
yond the power of the President or the peace
conference to change.
The senate can consent to the ratification of
the treaty, with specific reservations which
would prevent the application of portions of the
treaty to the United States. The league of ma
tons covenant for example, can be barred by
the senate in consenting to the ratification of
the treaty, and if this reservation is embodied
in the resolution of approval, it attaches to the
treaty and must always be considered in rela-
ton with it. No part of the government of the
United States could go beyond or around the
specific reservations of the senate. The treaty
would be binding upon the United States only
in the manner prescribed in the reservations.
The United States is party to The Hague
convention, but under reservation. At tina
time the President and the senate were in &C.
cord, and President Mckinley consulted the
senate from time to time concerning the pro
ceedings at The Hague. Without waiting for
The senate to attach a reservation to its resolu-
ion advising ratification, President Mckinley
directed the American delegates to make dec
laration of American policy, as follows:
Nothing contained in this convention shall be
tn tha limit ~
America to depart from its traditional policy of
of not intrudng upon, interfering with or en-
tangling itself in the political questions or policy
internal administration of any foreign state;
nor shall anything contained in the said conven-
ton be construed to imply a REIMBURSEMENT by
the United States of America of its traditional at
tude toward purely American questions
1t was under this reserve that the American
delegates signed the convention on July 20,
1899. The senate approved the convention
subject to this reservation. The nations accept
ed the reservation, and no one has ever ques-
Toned the extent of American adherence to the
convention for the peaceful adjustment of in
ernational differences" If the American dele
rates had not made the reservation, the senate
would have made it.
There are cases on record in which the Presi-
lent has refused to exchange notifications of
reaties amended by the senate in manner
lispleasing to him. Whether President Wilson
would refuse to go forward with the peace por-
ion of the pending treaty, if the league cove
ant should be reserved is a question that need
lot be asked. 1t is so important that the Presi-
ent and the senate should work together in this
reat business that they may find means of
their differences and thus make r
he foregoing question superhuous. Years of
Experience and precedent ought to show all par a
es concerned that neither the President nor il
ne senate can take away the powers of the tt
Post. tt