U.S.A.'S OBLIGATIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 198, 21 August 1919, Page 5

U.S.A.'S OBLIGATIONS.

LEAGUE OF NATIONS COVENANT AID FOR THREATENED COUNTRIES MORAL, NOT LEGAL. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) WASHINGTON, August 20. During the course of his speech at the Senate Conference to-day, President Wilson said that the United States could interpret the treaty in any way it thought fit, provided that such interpretation was not inconsistent with the general tenor of the treaty. The United States had complete freedom of choice as to tho application of force under Article 10 of the League of Nations Covenant. The obligation to go to the assistance of a country whose territorial integrity was threatened was purely a moral and not a legal obligation.

Mr. Wilson added that the plan of a League of Nations ultimately adopted was that drafted by General Smuts, with minor modifications. ilr. Wilson had not pressed for the adoption of his own draft. The League of Nations would prevent Japan assuming sovereignty over Shantung if Japan attempted it. He entirely disagreed with the opinion given by Mr. Lansing to the Senate Committee, to the effect that Japan would have signed the peace treaty irrespective of whether it contained the provision regarding. Shantung. The United States did not participate in the German indemnity because of the moral advantage that non-participation gave the country. Claims such as those in regard to the Lusitania, however, stood. Mr. Wilson, in the interests of good feeling between nations, refused to state how the American delegates had voted on the Japanese amendment regarding racial equality. The provision regarding Shantung, he said, had been inserted in view of the engagements of Britain and France towards Japan. It ivna the best that could be done in view of the circircumstances.

' The Judiciary Sub-Committee of the United States Senate has reported that the Franco-American treaty, whereby j the I'nited States agrees to protect France against Germany, does not conflict with the Constitution of the United .States.—(A. and X.Z. Cable.) RESERVING FOUR POINTS. (Received 12.20 p.m.) WASHINGTON, August 20. Senator Pittman prepared a resolution for introduction into the Senate reserving four points of the Peace Treaty, but not embodying them in the ratillcation of the treaty resolution, in line with President Wilson's suggestion for the avoidance of re-submission of the Peace Treaty for signature again by the Powers.—(A. and X.Z. Cable)