El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-03-10
RATTFY THE TREATY AS AMENDED
AND PUT AN END TO THE WAR

president WILSON'S final refusal TO accept reservs-
tons to article 10 Of the league Of nations covenant
has placed Democrats in the senate in embarrassing
position These senators, convinced that he people back
home find objections to the Lodge reservations, are
anxious get treaty out Of the way before the cam
pzgu and they stand ready to 60 to almost any length
to obtain ratification But they fear the administration
dspleasure hesitate to break with the president which
IS what voting fer the Lodge reservations would mean
They have reached point where they must choose
their paths and their decision depends the fate Of the
treaty.
The presidents decision clarifies the political atmosphere
and permits the American people to place the responsibility
for ratification failure Of the treaty where It belongs
M Wilson wholly willing to accept all response
bty for his party in standing Tor unreseryed rataton
Apparently his wish that his peace plan has been
rejected that shall be fought out at the polls It
IS altogether ugnt that expression OF pubo sentiment
should obtained before final disposition Is made Of a
question Of such far reaching importance Before the
United States abaudons its traditional policy of isolation
from European affairs the people certainly should be con
suited But IN the meantime should be devised
bring end the state Of which exists between
the American government and the central powers
The Lodge reservations TO the treaty provide that the
United States may withdraw from the League Of Nations
whenever It so desires Ratification Of the treaty. with the
Lodge reservations would not therefore, commit the coun-
try permanently to league membership. It would be
temporary arrangement which might, might not, be
permanent congress- after ssceraning the viii OF
the people should decide.
The restrictions placed BY the reservations cOuld
seriously impair operation Of the league plan. In the
MAN, they confined simply to the obligations Of the
United States TO the league Ihey propose among other
things that decision to the use Of the armed forces Of
the country shall rest With congress and that the United
States VIII to guarantee the territorial nteg
ry the member powers Equal representation between
United States and Great Britain in the league council
TIE only issue which at all likely to cause frc
ton with other powers and semoffa information has
been received that England IS wiling to yield this
point
So it would that the president has foundation
which TO stand in blocking ratification Of the treaty
with the Lodge reservations attached, pending the verdict
Of the people Democratic senators, who in better
position than the president to feel the public pulse
realize that the responsibility clearly placed, and
naturally they are bewildered Left to their Judg
ton at least enough Of them make the necessary two
thirds But president Wilson IS still, by virtue Of his Of
ce the recognized leader Of his party and all Democrats
realize that the only remaining chances Of victory vii
vanished the party is unable TO present united
front IN the coming campaign
The senate faces three alternatives II reject the
treaty and permit the state OF with the central powes
continue until president and new senate can
deal with the situation; It rsy the treaty with the
Lodge reservations thereby giving membership the
United States N the League Of Nations pass
resolution, the house concurng, declaring peace with the
nations with which war, leaving It to the next
administration to negotiate treaty accept the old
one It's present form amended the people may dc
tate at the polls.
The first alternative IS undesirable from every view
point Conditions cannot become wholly normal until the
the state Of Tor another year would prove huru to
America and Europe alike Congress should, without fur
theT delay either Iy the treaty with the Lodge reserva
tons attached which is the only way It be ratified,
or by resolution, declare the at end Either Of
these two would be acceptable to the majority
OF the American people.