South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-10-15
OtherEditOrS Than Ours
PUBLISHED CORRESPONDENCE PROVES
TAFT ADVISOR OF PRESIDENT IN
WORLD LEAGUE NEGOTIATIONS.


american PressD
Republican claims that Prest Wilson has been
cbdurate. never consulting any one. and following
no advice is proven another campaign prevarica-
ZION by facts given out from the white house.
Gable correspondence between Pres't Wilson and
former Pr-st Taft 1919 during the draft of the
League OF Nations covenant in Paris. plainly SHOW
communication between the president and his re-
publican predecessor and that Pres't Wilson invited
suggestions and submitted practically all that
were offered changing the tentative League draft
in numerous particulars. The president even follow
ed The advice Of Mr. Taft In the of the pre-
sentatlou Of the covenant to the senate.
The white house memorandum containing some
OF the cables exchanged by Pres't Wilson and Mr.
Taft prove that in every instance" the president
followed Mr. Taft's suggestions
The CORES onGence indicates that Mr.. Tafts sug-
sestions dealt principally with protecting the Mon
roe Doctrine and dealing with American domestic
questions withdrawal from the League, unanimous
League decisions and disarmament.
The white house memorandum quoted at length
League amendments to show adoption OF Mr. Tafts
suggestions. The final cabegram from Mr.. Taft
sent secy Tumulty and forwarded to the presi-
dent given in published correspondence, was
dated June 2S 1919. just before the president pre-
scented the treaty TO the senate. It read:
II would Ike TO send a return message and
that is that the president argue to the League
and its necessity: the impossbuity to secure
peace without IT, the dreadful unrest in Eu-
rope. the pressure of allies TO ratify and
secure peace az once. the need Of the League
with the United states 20 stabilize and 20 re-
ss- boshevisu, the necessity for renewal Of ne
r0tations If an important amendment like
striking out Article Y is made, the absurdity
Of a congressional declaration Of reace
side the giving up OF all objects O.! the war in
such peace if Germany TO make SINH
lar declaration. I hope sincerely he will not at
tack the republican senator's His appeal will
be much influential If pleads his
cause and does not attack the opposition"
ON March TO- 1919. the correspondence showed.
Secy TumuIty sent the president message stating
that Mr. Taft desired cable the president direct
with suggestions not looking to change.
COT the structure Of the League. the plan OF
action or its real character but simply removing
objections i'm the minds OF conscientious Ameri-
cans which it's language does not justify
and whose fears could be removed without any
considerable change of language"
The reply given by Prest Wilson said he would
appreciate Mr. Tafts offer of suggestions and well
come them"
'The sooner they are sent the better" the
presidents reply added you need give yourself
uneasincss about my yielding anything with
regard to the embodiment of the proposed con
vention in the treaty
1Ir Tafrs detailed suggestions were:
II YOU bring back the treaty with the League
Of Nations it make more specific
tons Of the Monroe Doctrine, fix a term for
duration of the League and the limit arma-
ment. require expressly unanimity Of action
executive council and body of delegates and
add Article XIV provision thS where the
executive council Of The body of delegates finds
the difference 10 grow out Of exclusively
domestic policy il shall recommend settle
ment. the ground will be completely cut out
from under the opponents of the League in
the senate"
The latter. Mr. Taft said. would cover tariff
Japanese immigration and similar domestic ques-
tons
Regarding the Monroe Doctrines production Mr..
Taft quoted follows
"Ny impression is that # the one article al
ready sent the Monroe Doctrine be inserted
in the treaty sufficient republicans who signed
tho round robin would probably retreat from
their position and for ratification so that
IL would carry. II the other suggestions
adopted I feel confident that all but a who
oppose any league all would be driven TO
accept them and to stand for the League"
Another message April Is signed by Mr.. Taft
and =. Lawrence Lowell read.
Friends OF the covenant are seriously alarm
ed over report that amendment will be made
more specifically safeguarding Monroe Doctrine
At "A full meeting of the executive committee
of the League 60 Enforce Peace with 80 mem
bers from is states present unanimous opinion
that without such amendment republican SEN
aJors VIII certainly defeat ratification OF treaty
because public opinion will sustain them. With
such amendment treaty viii be promptly rati-
fed"
The white house memorandum said that the
Leagues reservation of domestic question was
made ''as suggested by Mr. Taft and almost in his
own words" All Of the other suggestions from NJ.
Tart. il stated, were followed shown by quota
tons from the League covenant
Citing suggestions by Elihu Root Charles E.
Hughes and others reference is made 70 the
white house dinner I'm February 1919. at which
Pres't Wilson conferred upon the League covenant
with the foreign relations committee and the
house foreign affairs committee. The memorandum
adds
"But before this meeting Henry Cabot Lodge
as the arcn-consI traitor OF the ages had uttered
his defiance and issued the mandate that
peace should be ii came as the result
OF effort IN which the president had the direct
ing hand. A partisan victory born in hatred
discomfort his goal. the cost 10
civilization be what IL might In sequence few
DAYS after the conference Sen. Lodge produced
his infamous round robin, signed by 81 republ-
senators who declared that the League was
not acceptable I'm the form presented but who
under partisan leadership made suggestions
OF any kind for its Improvement as a means Of
preserving the peace of the world.
I'm this connection let II be emphasized that
not one single suggested amendment received
from any responsible source went unheeded; in