Omaha daily bee., 1920-03-12
with Thy Getting Get Understanding.

WIW Any 0ctuH& 6Cg OuoCISVAuou&.
The multiplication of interpretations of
league reservations goes merrily on, with Arti-
Gle x the storm center. In an effort to simplify
the issue we reprint Article X, as follows:
The members Of the league undertake to
respect and preserve as against external ag
gression the territorial integrity and existing
political independence of all members of the
league. In case of any such aggression or in
case of any threat or danger OF such aggres-
sion the council shall advise upon the means
by which this obligation shall be fulfilled.
What does it meanl Simply this: That the
United States if member of the league, with
out reservation, puts its fighting force at the
disposal of the council Of the league to assist
in quelng wars that may break out in any part
of the world against nations in the league
or between nations Of the league That is
plain.
The Lodge compromise reservation pro-
vided as follows:
The United States assumes no obligation
to employ its military or naval forces or the
economic boycott to preserve the territorial
integrity or political independence of any
other country under the provisions of Arti-
Gle x, or to employ the military or naval
forces of the United States under any article
of the treaty for any purpose. unless in any
particular case the congress, which, under the
constitution, has the sole power to declare
war or authorize the employment of the
military or naval forces of the United States,
shall by act or joint resolution so provide.
Nothing herein shall be deemed to impair the
obligation in Article XVI concerning the
economic boycott
What does that mean? Simply this: That
the senate purposes by this reservation to pro-
tect the United States from penalties or dis
cipline which without the reservation might be
imposed upon US by the council of the league if
in any instance congress should refuse to vote
Our army and navy into war after the council
had directed us to enter it. In other words, it
is reservation to protect our national inde-
pendence and constitution. That is plain, and
openly avowed
What effect would this reservation have on
the League of Nations? We know that Eng
land France and Italy will gladly accept it.
The best brief statement of its effect is by
David Jayne Hill, and is as follows
These reservations do not nullify the
treaty. do not in any respect prevent
the United States from doing every just Or
generous act which is contemplated by the
treaty. Their effect is simply to preserve its
independence, in conformity with the Con-
stitution of the United States. Reservation
is the preservation of our American institu-
tions.
What does that mean7 Exactly what it says
in language so plain anyone can understand
Now we come to the latest statement of
President Wilson on the proposed reservations,
including the one above on Article X, with
which he is familiar. He says:
l am sorry to say reservations that have
come under my notice are almost without ex
ception, not interpretations of the articles to
which it is proposed to attach them, but in
effect virtual notifications of those articles.
Any reservation which seeks to deprive
the League of Nations of the force of Article
X, cuts al. the very heart and life Of the
covenant itself The reservation
proposed would perpetuate the old order.
What does that meani We can see In
it only desire to have the United States yield
its independence and abandone its constitutional
authority and control over its military and naval
forces to an international supreme power set
up by the League of Nations. And the pres:-
dent of the United States is the man who wrote
Article X, which If accepted by US without
reservations would leave us under the domina-
ton of an international council controlled by
foreignersl
Wisdom j, the principal thing; therefore
get wisdom: and with all thy getting get un-
derstanding." The wisest of men had no de-
lusions about human nature or nations.
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