The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1920-02-13
Wilson Against Anything Other
Than interpretations
TROUBLESOME AR TlCL E 10
Outlines Position To Senator Hitch
cock - President Accepts Five
Suggestions Presented BY
Nebraskan.

Wilson has taken MS SUdHu against
the adoption by the Senate Of any
reservations to the peace treaty which
do more than interpret the obvious
meaning of the League of Nations
covenant. He took this position in
communication addressed to Senator
Hitchcock, of Nebraska, which the
latter read to the caucus of Demo
cratic. Senators.
President Wilson's letter to Senator
Hitchcock in regard to the reserva-
lions to the covenant of the League OF
Nations follows:
January 26, 1920.
MY Dear Senator Hitchcock have
greatly appreciated. your thoughtful
kindness in keeping me informed con-
corning the conferences you and some
of your colleagues have had with
spokesman of the Republican party
concerning the possibility of ratifica-
ton of the treaty of peace and send
this line in special appreciative &C
acknowledgement Of your letter OF the
22nd. / return the clipping you were
kind enough to inclose.
To the substance of it !, of course,
adhere l am bound to. Like your
self, / am solemnly sworn to obey
and maintain the Constitution of the
United States. But think the form
Of it very unfortunate. Any reserva-
ton or resolution stating that the
United States assumes no obligation
under such and such an article unless
or except" would, l am sure, chill our
relationship with the nations with
which we expect to be associated in
the great enterprise of maintaining
the worlds peace.
That association must in any case,
my dear Senator involve very serious
and far-reaching implications of honor
and duty which l am sure we shall
never in fact be DESTROYS OF ignoring.
1t is the more important not to create
the impression that we are trying to
escape obligations.
But realize that negative criticism
is not all that is called for in so seri-
Gus a matter. l am happy to be able
to add, therefore, that | have once
more gone over the reservations pro
posed by yourself. the copy of which l
return herewith, and am glad to say
that l can accept them as they stand.
/ have never seen the slightest rea-
son to doubt the good faith of our as
sociates in the war. nor ever had the
slightest reason to fear that any ma
tion would seek to enlarge our obliga-
tions under the covenant of the
League of Nations or seek to commit
us to lines of action which, under our
Constitution, only the Congress of the
United States can in the last analysis
decide.
May suggest that with regard to
the possible withdrawal of the United
States II would be wise to give to the
President the right to act upon our
resolution OF Congress in the matter
OF withdrawal? In other words. it
would seem to be permissible and ad-
visable that any resolution giving no
tice OF withdrawal should be a joint,
rather than a concurrent resolution.
doubt whether the President can be
deprived of his veto power under the
Constitution. even with his own con-
sent The use OF a joint resolution
would permit the President, who is,
Of course. charged by the Constitution
with the conduct Of foreign policy, to
merely exercise a voice in whether so
important a step as withdrawal from
the League OF Nations should be ac-
complished by a majority or by two
thirds vote. The Constitution itself
providing that the legislative body
was TO be consulted in treaty-making.
and having prescribed a twothirds
vote In such cases. II seems to me
that there should be no unnecessary
departure from the method there in
dieated
see 40 objection to frank state
meat that the United States can ac-
espt a mandate with regard to any
territory under Article XIII. part /. or
any other provision Of the treaty OF
peace. only BY the direct authority
and action Of the Congress OF the
United states.
hope. my dear Senator. that you
uin never hesitate to call upon me for
any assistance that I can render in
this o. any other public matter.
Cordially and sincerely yours.