New-York tribune., 1918-12-17
Report That Lodge
Backs Wilson Plan
Stirs Senators
Creel's Hand Is Seen Behind
Dispatch Stating America
Solidly Supports Presi-
dents Peace Doctrine
Ne4D York Tribune
Washington BureGu

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16.-Press
dispatches from abroad intimating
that the American public was solidly
behind President Wilson in his ad-
vocacy of the now famous fourteen
points" created mild sensation at
the capital to-day. These cablegrams
arc believed in some quarters to have
had their origin with George Creel's
corps of feature writer's attending
the peace conference.
A passage in one of the dispatches
which attracted special attention read
as follows:
Senator Lodges Endorsement of the
league Of nations, apparently showing
the entire country is behind Mr.. Will
son on this fundamental principle, is
having dampening effect on certain
european circles which were nourish-
ing the belief that this was not the
case"
Lodges Approval Denied
The statement that Senator Lodge,
minority leader and ranking Republi-
can on the Foreign Relations Commit
tee, had indorsed the Presidents pro-
gramme in his "twenty-one points" met
general denial from friends of the
MASSACHUSETTS Senator, who could not be
reached to-day for comment. 1t was
stated that the "twenty-one points
credited to Senator Lodge were not
grated by him, but by the National
Committee of Patriotic Societies.
Senator Lodge did not introduce the
Patrlotic Societies peace programme
IN the form of bill or resolution, but
merely introduced the programme as
a statement in the "The Congressional
Record" without Endorsement or com
ment. Hundreds of petitions drawn by
organizations Of all kinds are inserted
In "The Record" every week in this
way.
While Senator Lodge, it is known,
favors in general way the "twenty-
one points" referred to, he does not
believe they should be considered a
part of the major peace discussion,
Rather does the Massachusetts SEN
ator share the opinions of his col
leagues Of both parties that the league
OF nations proposal, freedom of the
seas. open diplomacy and disarmament
should be the subject matter of dis
cussons to follow the consummation of
a peace with Germany.
Statement Is Expected
Senator Lodge is expected to set
lOrtn Iurther his position on the
league of nations, freedom of the seas
and other points advanced by the Pres
ldent which have provoked general dis
cussion within the next week. 1t is
understood that Senator Lodge will
frankly express his opposition to the
league of nations. pointing out that
while from the idealistic Viewpoint it
has much to commend it, there are in
surmountable difficulties in the wav of
It's practical adoption.
The Massachusetts Senator will fur.
ther urge, it is anticipated, that the
league Of nations and other contro-
versial points advocated by President
Wilson be postponed for discussions to
follow the consummation Of the Ger
man peace. 1t is known that a num-
Der Of leading Senators Of both parties
fear that if the President insists on a
general acceptance of his programme
as preliminary of the peace confer
ences he will precipitate a distraction
which would tend to becloud the sitea-
tlon and might result in more favor
able terms for Germany than would
be the case if all controversial matter
were excluded until the German terms
had been imposed and accepted.