The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-11-06
Lodge Challenges Administra-
ton To Vote on Peace Treaty.
Hitchcock Accepted Defy and
Proposed the Action.
THEN CAME THE FIREWORKS
But Body Soon Went Back to
Regular Order Again.
Gore Amendment Rejected
Knox Makes Reservations.

Washington, Nov 6.-After a sharp !
and fruitless preliminary skirmish |
the peace treaty with reservations for |
a time seemed imminent, the senate |
late today went back to the regular or |
der of business and began formal con- /
sideration of the reservations recon- |
mended by the foreign relations COM |
mittee.
An immediate vote on the ratifica- |
ton of the treaty of Versailles with |
out reservation was proposed by Sem |
ator Underwood, Democrat, of Ala
had challenged the administration to
make such move. Senator Hitch |
cock of Nebraska, the administration |
leader, interviewed before the question
was put and a long argument enSued- |
Senator Underwood's proposal fol- |
lowed discussion of parliamentary pro-
cedure which was attended by great
confusion. Half a Dozen senators fire.
time and Vice President Marshall was
kept busy b-nging his gavel for order.
Senator Hitchcock accepted the chal-
lenge of Senator Lodge and made a
motion that the senate ratify the
treaty without reservation. He then
demanded roll call.
~ Instead of proceeding to vote on
Senator Hitchcock's motion for unre
served ratification, the senate revived
discussion on another proposal by
Senator Hitchcock, to report the
treaty imm ediately from the commit
tee of the whole in order to consider
resolution of ratification.
The Delay of Death.
There was a wide difference of opin-
ion to what would be the status of
the treaty should the resolution of
notifications with reservations attached
be defeated. Senator Underwood said
he would vote against the resolution
containing reservations and Senator
Lodge warned that if the treaty were
rejected with reservations attached.
the delay that would follow would "be
the delay of DEATH
Vice President Marshall dictated to
the stenoSrapher a. statement adding
to Hitchcok's proposal for a vote as
follows:
IF the treaty is rejected. the sem
ate will take up its consideration again
as thofa vote had not been taken at
all"
FAN declared that the rules require
the senate to vote on the action of the
foreign relations committee This
construction would make Hitchcock's
motion out of order.
"Such q motion is entirely out of
ORDER Fall said.
Fall then offered formal objection
to HitchcoclS's motion.
TT is ridiculous" Fall declared.
1--WE are playing with the entire sub
ing all the rules of the senate
Was Dramatic Moment.
Tt was the most dramatic moment
of the entire treaty fight. Senators
rushed in from cloakroon1s. Caller
les filled quickly and house members
rushed over to the senate side.
Gore Amendment Defeated.
! Washington, Nov. 6.-The peace
treaty amendment presented by Sena-
tor Gore, Democrat. Oklahoma, TO
make an advisory popular vote man
datory before a declaration of war
under the league of nations was re-
| jected today by the senate. The vote
! was 81 to G. Republican Leader Lodge
and other leading Republicans voting
against the amendment
i When the treaty was taken up in the
senate today Senator Knox introduced
a blanket reservation to release the
United States from any obligation to
be bound by decisions or recommend
tons of the League of Nations. Sen
ator Knox said the purpose was to
make this country "a consulting mem
ber'' OF the league The reservation
would give the u S. the fullest and
most complete liberty of action" in
rega I'd to league affairs with the sole
right to determine its own relations
and duties and course of action" 1t
also would claim an unconditional
right of withdrawal and would make
! affirmative acceptance of the reserva-
! ton by the other powers within sixty
DAYS
= Denying repor,s that he would sup
port the Gore amendment for a refer
endum before any declaration of war.
Senator Myers, Democrat. Montana
told the senate that when he said he
would vote for the pending amend
ment" yesterday, he referred to the
La Toilette labor amendment. altho
that m easure was not formally under
consideration at the time. Senator
La Toilette resumed the attack begun
yesterday on President Wilson's course
in negotiating the treaty.
/ President Views Soon.
Washington, Nov. president Will
sons views on reservations to the
treaty of Versailles will be given to
Senator Hitchcock of Nebraska the
administration leader at a White House
conference within the next day or two.
Secretary Tumuliy said today he was
arranging with Rear Admiral Grayson
1.-THE presidents physician, for Hitch
cocks visit.
! The Nebraska senator plans to lay
/ the entire treaty situation before the
president and give him his opinions
as to what reservations are likely TO
receive the support of a majority in
the senate. THE president in turn will
say what reservations will be accepta
i BILE to him Mr.. Wilson has repeatedly
said that no change in the treaty
which would require its re-nego tiation.
would be acceptable
| Plan Caucus Tonight.
! Democratic leaders in the senate are
planning a caucus tonight to deter
| mine upon their final attitude on the
| treaty, ii was learned today.
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