TREATY CANNOT BE RATIFIED IN ITS PRESENT FORM--LODGE

The following statement by Senator Lodge for the Intercollegiate Treaty Referendum outlines the attitude of the Senate and the motives for the adoption of reservations.

The question of the League of Nations attached to the Peace with Germany is too large a one, as you will readily understand, for thorough and detailed discussion in a brief letter, but I think I can state to you in broad terms the attitude which the Senate has taken in regard to the treaty.

In the making of treaties the responsibility of the Senate is equal to that of the President and it was with the fullest sense of that responsibility in the consideration of the treaty with Germany that a majority of the Senate voted for the reservations which they believe vital to the peace, sovereignty and independence of the United States. Their object is to reserve to our people the right to withdraw from the League of Nations. If they so desire, without the consent of other Powers; to leave to us alone the decision whether we shall send our soldiers and sailors to protect the territorial integrity or political independence of other and distant lands; to prevent interference by other nations in questions solely within the jurisdiction of the United States and to reserve to us alone the continued interpretation and application of our Monroe Doctrine.

Other and important reservations were adopted by the Senate, all considered necessary to safeguard and protect American rights. The United States has asked nothing in the peace settlement and has received and desires nothing except the security and peace of the world. That peace, a majority of the Senate believes, cannot be achieved through the League of Nations as agreed to at Versailles. We cannot amend the League as it applies to other nations but we are determined that it shall be made safe for the United States