Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1920-05-31
Taft Holds Delay
# Treaty Due to
Action Of Senate

Action Of Senate
ars difference of words" In
= inner William Howard Taft,
iAs nrssident of the United States
isins, ,.rtured at the Salem armory'
.s.v sac night. characterized the
s1u.Ssa .s,s DELAY Of over year in adopt
knass ~ league of nations program.
- Extolls League
sx.president had much to say
ia. ~ league and proved point by
81 =. mat il was the most efficient
lein' .,hstantial covenant ever franz
W. the prevention of war. He re-
9 ~ ~ often to the stubborn resist
FL ,s that the plan has encountered
.hss small coterie in the senate and
pVa. ..ad that this coterie of sixteen
nave succeeded in thwarting the
r - of the major portion of con-
U.s. @ and popular sentiment favor
ipg the league. -. :,
as.ation in the tremendous plan
stated that he saw no objection
~ ~ adoption as it would only obii-
W. y tbe United States to do what
sA~ tban forty other nations save
as.soa ~. TO. and that is "bear our
.s.rs .s in the operation of the league"
sD reservations Halt Plan
NJ Taft also took the stand that
N. reservations to the league, as
.-..ndsd ~ by the various reservations
-onld never be adopted until a new
ss..,aent assumed the duties of Of
~ This left the audience in the
All as 10 the speakers intent; as he
mod TO outline any qualification
.,hsr than intimating that the pros
sao,ive president should be a man
mo would stand for any manner OF
,scaryations to the league. Better
an amended league than none," said
lhe speaker
On the subject of the reservations,
N, Taft ELECTED much laughter and
,nn,ause when he stated that there
seems to be a slight amount OF cold
,sss between the president and the
senate" This state of affairs arises
,rom action of the senate in adopt
iny the wording concurrent" rather
,han the original phraseology of
saint act" of the executive powers
# the United States in acting upon
uuestons that might arise after AM
erica became a member of the league
.Ths change in the intent of the
eovenant pertaining to national func-
tionng of the plan, robs the chief ex-
eeutiye Of any vote in subsequent act
ion," declared Mr.. Taft.
League is Weakened
In outlining the reservations, Mr..
Taft showed that these detracted from
The power of the covenant, especially
in the clause whereby the United
States reserves the right to arm in
case Of war and to act independent of
any action of the supreme council.
Another stand taken by the reserva-
iionists is termed as "cheap" by the
former president This is the para
graph where the United States is ask
cd to be excused from paying its
share Of administrative expenses of
The league.
Article X Acceptable
Y Referring again to article x, Mr.
TAFT stated that it was only "a mu-
iual guaranty by the nations in the
league to stand by and to protect
each other against predatory nations
Or violators of the agreement. This
was provided for by mutual police
force that would only require a small
percentage Of the armament now main
iained by the leading powers. The
purpose of the league is dependent
upon this functioning, stated the ex-
president.
Mr. Taft extolled the league as the
answer to the prayer of all nations
Tor cessation Of the eternal race for
armament which, he stated, led to
a. wars Oh aggression. he reierreo 70
osiiilans 5 military preparations ~
Me sfea' war as an eAaihpie oi wna'
ouis "heh tnere Is not a s.a
~ ~ neuluiil @ such as that aiiorueu ~
'n' 'easue.
noScott is weapon
~ ne stated mat article AsA seryeu
~ purpose OIL article X even II tne
lasser was rendered inoperative ~
!. ,e'.can reservations. Article AEi
Z 49, : .eltioie weapon placed IN .hN
Vsan, rsaus oi members or the league
s,O sDouia y any nation in the league vlo-
~ ~ agreements ana start an ul-
= .s'o'eu ~ war; the compineo strehs.h
sa.iae. :, iae o.ner nations is directeo
a.'''' t's,.H .he ottehaer. a poycott Oh n !
.a.''s .a scope IS put into operation ana
.sVn q me offender finds itself isoiat-
- .ss,a, any weakened by q weapon more more
,..ent ,h,s 'nan any death aeaiine ma
l,.s ~ eou,o BE- stated MT. TAFT.
,,oa. - ,lialiy stating that the reserva-
sh,. a' ~ere 70 De FOUND more accept
NJ NJ y man . no agreement Of any KIND,
.an ~, iala sr, stated that action is needed