Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-06-22
ROOT OFFERS PLAN
FOR ACCEPTING OF
TREATY BY SENATE
Borah and Hitchcock En-
gage in Debate on League
Covenant.
KNOX DECIDES TO CALL UP
RESOLUTION ON MON DAY
Solution Of Former Secretary of
State Expected to Be Center
of Contest.
sTRaUS Is BITTERLY ASSAILED
Idaho Senator Says lie Will Leave
Republican Party Should 1t APP
prove Paris Terms.
sTRAus is BITTERLY AssAILED
Inv Associated Prcss1

WASHlNGTON. Juno 2l.-The league
OF nations controversy in the Senate
was cnlivcncd today by series of de-
rclopments accepted as foreshado wing
the lines into which the final ratinca-
ton fight may fall.
Elihu Root. Secretary OF State under
President Roosevelt. laid before the
Foreign Relations Committee a pro-
gram for acceptance of the league with
certain reservations.
senator Borah. Republican. of Idaho.
he could not remain in the Republican
party IL II failed to take "A more
definite stand against tn. league.
Senator Hitchcock. Democrat of
Nebraska. replied that no party dared
stand against the league proposal and
declared tho covenant was assured of
ratihcation by Republican votes.
May Cnll Up RcsoIutIon.
Senator Knox. Republican. of Penn
savanna; decided 10 call for show
down of Senate opinion Monday bv
bringing In his resolution declaring the
league covenant attached
or these develo pments the recon-
mendation of former Secrctar* Root
presented after Two days of conferences
hero with league opponents attracted
widest discussion tonight because II
was regarded as cmhodying "A plan on
which an appeal is likely to be made
~
do not fully approve the Paris covenant.
The reservations which Mr.. Root
suggested should be written into the
Senate's ratification resolution would
be designed to soften the nations OBJ
lsatons for guaranteeing the integrity
OF foreign countries. and 10 further
right OF withdrawal from the league
and the determination Of purely do
mesttc problems. These reservations
could he made the former secretary
declared In perfect harmony with the
traditions Of diplomacy and without
endanger;ng other league provisions.
May Reverse Decision.
The decision to bring up the Knox
ference Of leaders had agreed that
some vote revealing the exact state OF
Senate opinion would clarity the air
and strcngthn the position of league
opponents. There were rumors tonight
that This decision might be reversed.
however. and a substitute for the
Knox measure brought in later in the
week Bgt ii seemed certain the OPP
position Was determined to show It's
strength in some concrete manner be-
fore the treaty is submitted for ra,if-
cation.
Senator Borah made his threat OF
withdrawing from his party during a
sharp debate. started when the Idaho
Senator read into the Record a petit
ton signed by twenty-eight prominent
New York Republicans. asking that the
peace treaty be ratified without delay.
Wickersham. former Attorney General
and Oscar S. Stratus, former ambassador
TO Turkey. who were bitterly assailed
by Mr.. Rorah. Mr.. Strauss was talking
10 several Senators just outside the
Senate.
The speaker also quoted an appeal
OF former President Taft against the
Knox resolution. in which Mr.. Taft
urged that politics should stop at the
waters edge.
Bornh Mikes Speech.
'T agree with that perfectly" con-
tinued Mr. Borah. Does politics stop
Monroe Doctrine? Yes, but this
side of the water And so with a null
titude of other things in this covenant.
II is inconceivablc that this can be
kept out Of politics. for the people
have no way to express themselves ex-
cent through political parties"
Senator Pomerenc. Democrat. of Ohio
II can only assume to speak for
never was an instant when would not
have denounced my party as cowardly
II it had taken stand for this league.
chairman), says this is an American
question. 1t is. but it has two sides.
and on which side does he stand?
II have been Republican all my
publican. But ] would trample any
platform that Endorsed this treacherous
scheme. and l would spit upon any
platform that was silent on the sub
ject The International bankers may
monopolize everything else in tho
United States but they can't monopo-
lie the right to organize q new politi-
cal party.
Takes Rap mt Hays.
"M.. Hays cannot commit the Re-
publican party to neutrality Certain
Republicans don't want the party to
take "A definite position. because they
know the Democratic party is thor
ouGhly organized and that in every
precinct in the United States it is fight
ing for the league of nations.
'Mr Strads is around the corridors
of the Capitol now exerting his in
fucnce as a Republican to get the party
not to take a stand against the league
why is he here? Whom does he repre-
sent? So far as I'm concerned. 1t
doesn't make any difference what the
Republ' can party does. know there'n
be 'i,7=.s.rty that Will stand for Ameri-
can rights"
In his reply Senator Hitchcock de-
clared it was plain why the Eepubli-
againse the league. because every test
of public sentiment made heretofore
has shown an overwhelming sentiment
Republicans as we'll as Democrats, for
the league"
Tho Nebrc ska Senator gave the re-
suits OF number of newspapers and
magazine polls. all showing majorities
for the league. and read long list of
Republican papers which he said were
supporting 1t.
treaty" Mr. Hitchcock continued. they
will find out what the sentiment of the
country is."
Assured OF Enough Votes.
Asked by Senator Borah If he would
join In preparing measure for a