New-York tribune., 1919-08-23
Text1lal Change in Treaty
Said To Be Favored bv
9 of IL Members Of
the Senate Committee
McCumber to Side
With Democrats
Labor Provisions of Pact
Attacked by Senator
Thomas, of Colorado
By Carter Field
Nev York Tribune

NeW York Tribune
Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Aug. GA test
vote on the first textual amendment to
the peace treaty-that on the Shan
tung section-will be had by the For
eign Relations Committee tomorrow,
it was announced tonight. The vote
is expected to be nine to eight In favor
of a textual change, either striking
out the entire section. or else sub
stituting "China" for Japan" so that
the German rights in that province
will be restored to its original owner,
instead of handed over to Japan.
All of the Republican Senators, ex-
cept McCumber, of North Dakota,
will vote for the direct amendment
Mr.. McCumber will vote, it is expected
with the Democrats.
The decision to 60 ahead with the
consideration Of amendments and rcser-
vations was reached by the Republican
members of the committee IN a con-
ference late to-day.
Other features of the day in connec-
tion with the peace treaty situation
were vigorous attack on the labor
provisions of the treaty by Senator
Charles S. Thomas, of Colorado, whose
vote on the final ratification of the
treaty itself, as we'll as reservations
or amendments, is in doubt, and re-
ply to the Presidents answers to his
questions bye Senator Fall. of New
Mexico.
Fall Submits Trade Figures
Mr.. Fall in commenting on the Presi-
dents reference to his question about
whether trade with Germany had been
resumed, put into the record figures
showing that the trade between the
United States and Germany since the
armistice exceeded that with Spain or
with all Latin-America.
After the committee decided to get
down to business at once the "irre-
concilables" held conference in the
Office of Senator Knox, Of Pennsyl-
vania, to formulate plan of proce-
dure that would hasten action on the
amendments. Scores of amendments
have been proposed and so far as it is
possible it is the intention Of the "bit-
enders" to have these considered
in groups.
All sides are anxious now to get the
treaty out of committee. Administers
ton Senators have been urging speed
from the start, knowing that the sooner
the treaty gets to the Senators the
better bargain the President can strike
IN his effort to prevent effective reser-
vations. The "bitter-enders," who all
along have been opposing action, have
changed their tactics. They want the
treaty out. Their orators are going
to the country in opposition to the
league. They can't go as long as the
treaty is in committee, for half a
dozen of them are members of the
committee. Even the reservationists
are anxious to get the treaty to
vote.
To Meet Again To-day
Their meeting was to portion out the
work of handling the amendments on
the different sections of the treaty, so
there will be as few repetitons as pos
sible; They will get together again at
10 O'Clock tomorrow morning to COM
plete their plans.
Friends Of the league are predicting
tonight that the treaty will be report
ed to the Senate by the end Of next
week. Senator Hitchcock, of Nebraska,
the Administration leader, is confident
that the committee will complete it's
work by week from to-day
III the expected vote on Shantung
is reached tomorrow the country will
have an inkling Of the kind of report
the Foreign Relations Committee will
make. Two proposals probably will be
acted upon. One will be to strike out
the sections of the treaty on this sub
ject and the other to substitute China"
for Japan" wherever the latter ap-
pears in regard to Shantung.
Johnson to Press Amendment
Senator Johnson intends to press his
amendment to give the United States
six votes in the league of nations, the
same number that Great Britain and
self governing colonies have. While
there is much sentiment against the
representation given the British EN-
pire in the league, it is not believed
there are enough votes to attempt a
change.
The committee, 1t is believed, will re-
port out the treaty for ratification with
strong reservations in the ratifying
act. Such Senator'S as Borah and John
son have indicated their willingness
to vote for reservations if their amend
ments fail. They desire to limit the
league as far as possible and then on
final rollcall in the Senate vote to re-
ject the treaty.
[Other developments in the SEN
ote's consideration yesterday of the
peace treaty aUiI be found on page