The American Senate debated the League of Nations through- out
the week. Senator Knox's proposal to ratify the Peace Treaty without the Covenant had a mixed reception. Some influential Republicans protested against it. Mr. Root has advised his party to ratify the Treaty, subject to the omission of Clause X. in the Covenant, by which members of the League guarantee "against external aggression the territorial integrity and existing political independence of all members," and subject also to the condition that the Monroe Doctrine shall not be infringed by the League. It may be remarked that a League deprived of the American guarantee for Clause X. would lose much of its value for France, Bohemia, Poland, and other States bordering on Germany. On Monday Senator Fall, of New Mexico, introduced a resolution declaring peace with Germany and Austria,and demanding the immediate return of the American Armies in Europe. We must not interpret such resolutions too literally. American politicians are manceuvring for position in view of the Presidential campaign of next year. The attitude of the American people towards the Peace Treaty and the Covenant is at present undefined. They are awaiting President Wilson's explanation of the compact for whioh he is largely responsible.
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