The New York herald., 1920-01-19

OF the League of Nations President Wilson
will accept is by immediate ratification
of the treaty by the United States Senate,
because then and then only will the Presi-
dent be able to say what he will accept.
That was the assertion made last even
ing by William j. Bryan in a speech at a
dinner of the Society of Arts and Sciences
at the Hotel Astor Mr.. Bryan declared
that President Wilson, having helped to
draw the treaty. was bound in good faith
to endeavor to obtain the ratification Of
the treaty as written. The President. ac-
cording to Mr.. Bryan's view has not and
could not specify the reservations he might
be willing to accept
Mr. Bryan became sarcastic at the delay
of the United States in declaring peace
The only country in the world that can't
stop war is democracy" he said, 'and
they can't get together. It's shame;
it's a disgrace; it's an outrage
Maze. Difference Clear.
Mr.. Bryan made even more clear than
he did in his Jackson Day speeches at
Washington, the differences between the
President and himself over the question
of making the treaty and League OF Ma
tions the main issue in the Presidential
although he disclamcd any
anita conism toward the President.
Mr.. Bryan said that at the time he had
made his first speech at Washington. he
had not known what was contained in
the letter of the President and that the
President, at the time he had written the
letter had not known what was in Mr..
Bryan's speech
II don't think that the President would
have changed his letter If he had known
what I was going to say" said Mr.. Bryan.
II know / would not have changed my
speech if had known what the, Presi-
dent had written. I wouldn't belong toI
party in which an individual member
could not express his opinion on a great
public question. but those who talk about
split with the President on question
of method are more interested in par
tisanship than in a discussion OF theI
question.
"Nowhere in his letter did the President
state just what reservations he would ac-
ccpt l knew of no way Of finding out ex-
Cept to Scnd the ratIleU treaty 10 the TeS-
dent and then see whether he will accept
il or not.
HE is in no position to state what con-
cessions he will make. He helped to draw
the treaty and is bound to stand by his
associates. How in good faith could he
come back to the United States and sayl
that he could make concessions?
BETTER Than Expected.
II believe the President got a better
treaty than anybody had a right to expect
he could get. He only did his duty to the
other nations over there when he tried to
secure it's ratification without reservs-
tions t.F
, Il think | can do what the President
cannot do, even IL he wanted to, and VIC
can't tell what he wants to do. I'm more
free even than some of the Senators. be-
cause so many people have differed with
me that it doesn't hurt me. I've been in
the minority so long that hardly know
how I should act il ! should be on the
side of the majority"
Mr.. Bryan reiterated his belief that the
Democratic party could not afford to de-
lay peace fourteen months by making rati-
cation of the treaty An issue of the cleo
ton. He declared that the Democrats
party could not afford to take advantage
even of tho technical provision of the con-
stitution requiring a vote OF two-thirds of
the Senate for ratification and which. he
said, gives us an opportunity to fill
buster for fourteen months while the
world waits"
"1he foundation of democratic govern
ment rests upon the rule OF the majority
Mr.. Bryan continued. 1--WE had TO yield
to majority several times. and as soon as
found out what the majority was | was
willing it should assume the responsibility
God forbid that il should be harder for us
tn eyato M ~ tx,a hor w m n In
Mr.. Bryan said he believed both the Re-
publican and the Democratic Senators
must make concessions. The Republicans,
he said. must consent to the withdrawal
OF the preamble. which makes the formal
acceptance of any American reservations
essential to the valid ratification OF the
treaty by the United States.
why Make IL Difficult.
why make II more difficult for the
other nations to accept American reserva-
tions when aoquiescence would do as well
as formal acceptance?" he asked "Don'tl
YOU think in that case that the other coun-
tries would have a few reservations or
their own for which they would ask our
formal consent and we would have the
whole debate over again?"
Mr.. Bryan said that the Democrats had
been equally to blame in exaggerating the
fnnportance OF certain sections. and again
son is understood to have written himself
and has frequently declared to be the
heart of the covenant.
"Some Of our people talk as though II
we did not get Article X the treaty would
he DESTROYED" said Mr.. Bryan. Not at
all The proposed reservation merely az
firms the constitutional right OF Congress
TO declare war. How can there be the
moral obligation. that has been spoken Of
resting upon Congress to declare war to
heIp another member OF the league when
II would destroy the constitutional right
OF Congress to declare war at that timer
II is a mockery to say. Congress has the
right TO declare war and to add in an
undertone that IL has not a right to de-
clare war.
"one side says, We will 20 to the coun-
try on the issue The other side SAYS.
AN right, we will 60 to the country on the
issue.
THAT'S fine attitude with the world
on fire and a nation awaiting the settle
mont OF domestic problems"
MIR Bryan then put forward an addi-
tional argument why ratification OF the
peace treaty should not be T. campaign is
sue. because( as he stated. the election
could not settle IL.
"Neithcr side can possibly have two
thirds OF the next Senate" he said. Il,
Ali the Senators went out, VI might be
possible. but only one-thrd go out. Some
OF the States the Democrats cannot carry
ID \ H.. 4. ~, v.AA