The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-03
LEADERS FEAR FOR
FATE OF ALLIANCE
Would Be Better for France,
He Says, Than Anything
in League Of Nations.
NORRIS IS MAKING FIGHT
Plans to Substitute "China"
for Japan" in Treaty's
Gift to Mikado.
sn.cin, pekpatch TO THr suN.

wAsH1SaroN, Aug. Amy reserva-
pon to the peace treaty that amounts to
damn will compel 1t to go back to the
mace congress-" declared Senator Norris
fNeb) to-day, land any reservation
that doesn't compel the treaty to go
hack to the peace congress doesn't
amount to DAMN
The Senator. following this penum-
bral outlining of his position. declared
that he intended to give the senate
ample chance to adopt or squarely reject
plenty of amendments that. In his view.
would be worth making.
"For example," he said, "a change OF
,ust one word in Article 1853 will raise
the whole issue of Shantung and the
East The first paragraph of that arti-
cle provides that all the German rights
there, shall be renounced in favor OF
japan. At the proper time an amend
ment will be moved to change Japan
10 China"
"That single change of a word in this
and the succeeding paragraphs dealing
with Shantung will bring the question of
Chinas betrayal squarely before the
Senate for its decision and the decision
will have to be made. Studying tho
treaty in detail, I judge that there are
about 100 places in It where similarly
simple and direct amendments should
be made, and am going to see that they
are offered"
Eastern question and Is getting ready
for further discussion Of Il in the near
future. His plan for turning over en-
bloc to China everything in Shantung
that the Versailles Congress earmarked
for Japan with an amendment so simple
that there can be no lodging the direct
issue will force matters to q square
showdown.
Believes Rejection Is Favored.
Senator Norris Is convinced that II
politics be left out of the consideration
the Senate is overwhelmingly in favor
Of sending the treaty back to its trainers
with the declaration that the United
States will not stand for the robbery
Of China, and demands that the wrong
b. rlghted. He does not believe that any
Interpretation or reservation or decla-
ration OF American misg wings or under
standings as to this vital question will
serve the purpose. He wants the
treaty amended and, IL not amended,
wants II defeated.
Article 10 in the League of Nations
covenant" Mr.. Norris said, should be
stricken out. That is the only proper
method OF dealing with 1t. If it means
what 1t says, as among the other ma
tons in the league, the United States
should not be In the league, no matter
what It is construed by us to mean as
TO the United States. 1t should be
stricken out before we ratify 1t. To
do that Is an amendment. which would
send the treaty back. Well. It should be
amended and sent back
Mr.. Norris's announcement that he
was determined to force the issue as to
Shantung was not the only development
of Importance to-day in connection with
treaty consideration. 1t was learned
that some Republican leaders who be-
lieve the treaty of alliance with France
should be ratified have become very
fearful that 1t confronts defeat There
are Republicans who not only are will
ing to support this alliance, but who re-
gard II as representing exactly the
measure Of international guarantee to
which the United States should be COM
mltted They do not want the League
Of Nations, but would be glad to give
France the specific assurance she asks OF
American help against possible German
aggression.
Those who take this view have beer
loath to believe there was serious dan.
ger that the alliance treaty would bt
defeated. They consider that it mean,
vastly more to France than does tn,
League OF Nations, and that 1t and no
the league is the real guarantee of Eu
ropes peace for the next generation
Believing this. they are anxious for tn,
alliances ratification and have genuinel,
regretted In the last few days to realize
that there Is great danger of its failur'
to muster ratifying support
Alliance Lacks I'm Cham pions.
To say there are Republican leader!
Who favor the alliance treaty does no
imply that all the Republicans or thei
leadership as whole favor this pact
On that point there is wide divergence
OF view and nothing like an authorita
tive poll of Senate opinion has beef
made. But it is growing inci easingl!
apparent that opposition to the leagu
covenant is concentrating attention OIL
the league to such an extent that IN
alliance is in danger of lacking cham
pions in the very quarters where other
wise 1t would find them. The whole sit
uation Is complicated by reason of tn
resentment against the President 70
continuing 20 ignore the Senate's re
quests for documents and Information
that are needed.
The draft OF a proposed resolution o
ratification with reservations which ha
been tentatively put out by the Republi
can group OF mild reservationists," ha
not at all pleased the group OF "har,
boiled" naturalization SITS.
There is only one way to deal wit
Article X" said Senator Borah (Idaho)
and that is TO take II out OF the treat,
altogether The effort to modify o
mollify 1t by construction or interpreta
ton will prove wholly Ineffective. A
the people who are attempting this wi
finally conclude, the only honest way
10 eliminate II, and it is pretty safe I
say there will be no compromise on it.
THE published proposal for reserva
ton proved that we cannot effcctivel
deal with 1t otherwise. This reserva
ton II adopted would not have tn