The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1919-11-19
Debate Begins on Resolution
Of Ratification, Which Will
son Says viii NuIIify the
Peace Treaty. i
fBy the Associated Press.)

WASHlNbION, Nov. l9.-Defeat
OF the Lodge resolution of ra,ifica-
ton 10 the peace treaty was urged
by President Wilson in a letter 10
Democratic Leader Hitchcock. whleh
was laid today before a conference of
democratic senators. The president
said the resolution did not provide
Tor ratification. but rather for tho
nulliilca'ion Of the treaty"
Immediately the presidents let
ter became public. Republicaa
Leader Lodge declared he did no, be.
lleve the senate would "obey the or.
ders' OF the president, who under.
takes to command the senate 10 ra,ifv
the treaty without the reservations
which Amerlcani,e il and made il
safe for the United States"
Hitchcock says Il win Fan.
Inc decision Of the democratic
friends Of the treaty 10 vote Against 4
tat.flcation resolution containing the
Louse reservations was affirmed az.
,ne conference OF democrats Sena or
hitchcock said enough demoor.ts IN
against the Ludbe resolution.
NO compromise dplan was draf fted M
ule democrats. but II was suggested
.nat after the prospective defeat of tho
ip1gc reservation cummlttee Of
democrats would be appointed u con.
ier win the republicans to that end.
democrats who attended the confer-
ence were not bound by any CONFER nee
agreement ana said they were willing
t.,ut
er'auons. but could not accent tho
preamble or those dealing with Article
~. shantunE. equality Of voting and
one or Two others II possible a mo-
ION TO strike out the objectiona lie
ones VIII be made II the majorit =
declined TO compromise, Il was said.
responsibility for failure OF the trsaty
bsr. N''
Various compromise measurss vsrs
considered at the conference. Some of
those present predicted q working
| agreement based on Q continuation ~
| the Hitchcock and McCuruber promo.
-as. modifying the committee reserya /.
tons. could he reached
Senator Hitchcock said that the
democrats were Of the belief that the
vote on unqualified ratification should
,e taken a'tcr. and not before the
Lodge resolution was disposed Of.
a number Of senators are commit.
ted to the Lodge reservation" he sniA
and II would not be Kind 10 propose
now. when senators are bound by
rnt'fication ''~
Senator Hitchcock added that after n
vote on the Lodge resolution he would
be glad 10 get un nirnous consent 10
oiicr resolution Of unqualified ratifi-
cation.
Senator Lodge said N the drmocrats
| qualified ratification, he Would With,
| drnw his request
There have been no p,ehess br
senators" Senator Lodge added. Tho
| reservs tions werc adopted by free. an.
dictated votes OF senators and, n, ms
opinion, they viii not be modified hj
any talk Of Withdrawal"
Georgia ssnAtor Opens Debate
senator Smith. democrat. Georgia
opening the debate, said he declined tc
slow ne views to be controlled bI
n shall vote for the resolution an
the reservations that have been ore.
sented. though ! would bs Gratif,e& II
he enid.
Senator Knox. republican, Pepnsyi.
vhfhn. Of the lrreconriiable group, said
complete defeat OF tho treaty could
not be accomplished. hc desired TO make
u MS acceptable NJ possible to Senator
| Lodge. and added.
H. II think comment Is superfluous on
tho letter ~ the president"
Thomas Opposes Resolution.
senator Thomas nf Colorado. sad ne
would vote AGAINST tho resolution, not
because Of the presidents letter, but
because of The labor provisions
Scnator Robinson democrat. Arknn.
sss. s1id enemies OF the treaty had sue.
ceeded, Temporarily. at least. in ac-
complishlng Indirectly what they couid
not do openly." and have planned "a
ALLEVIATE the nations who were our al
lie. in the war
Yet senators who ssy they want ,hG
treaty" he said, are aiding In tbis
plnn which gives only comfort 10 thoee
who want 10 zee the treaty killed"
Lodge Presents ResoiutIer.
Immediately the senate met Senator
| Lodge formally presented the resolution
Of ratification. containing tho fifteen
resertstlons adopted by the majority Of
Al tho Ss,set SENATOR Lods. assss
unanimous consent for al mined nts
vote on unqualified ratification. hd-
| minlstrp ton Leader Hitchcock said 'ha
! democrats preferred TO wait until The
/ l.odGc resolution hnd been voted on.
Senator Lodge then withdrew his RS
| queat and the debate on the Lodge
res solution began.
Preamble MAY es Modified.
ALTHOUGH the democratic stand WA
declared In rcpublican quarters 10 have
diminished tho CHANCES OF 4 compyo,
mise, II was learned that q pfoposai ID
| modify thb Drsan,bls reeeyx AL inn NJ M