Evening star., 1919-05-01
''QU|ET ON LEAGUE"
SENATORS AGREE
Follow Wired Request to
Refrain From Comment
Until Conference.
POLL SHOWS 64. AYES


Several republican senator. of
the group known as progressive
let 1t be known today that they
opposed having the league of ma
tfons covenant considered at a re-
publican conference with a view to
determining the attitude of the
party toward the document.
Senators johnson of California,
Jones OF Washington, McNary of
oregon and Borah Of Idaho made
statements declaring the league
could not be made a party ques-
tion.
Senators are manifesting DISPOSE
ton to follow Senator Lodges sug-
gestion to refrain from committing
themselves on the league of nations
covenant until the republicans have
had opportunity for conference on
the subject. Senator Curtis is re-
ceiving responses to kilograms sent
in Senator Lodges name and his.
recommending such a policy, and the
writer's agree to it.
Unquestionably, however, republican
senator's are deeply interested in the
vised form Of the covenant and are
giving it great study. 1t is not likely
that a general conference can be held
until shortly before the assembling
of Congress. The senators are widely
scattered on various missions Of busi-
ness and recreation. There is no foun-
dation for the report of a coming con-
ference between Senate leaders and
republican party managers in New
York. Chairman Hays of the republi-
today and Senator Lodge is in Wash
tngton.
p. An informal poll of the Senate has
been taken by the league to enforce
peace, which sets forth the claim that
sixty-four senators favor the league
of nations covenant, twelve are op-
posed to it and twenty are classed as
doubtful.
Mr.. Lodge Listed as Opposed.
In the list Of those opposed to it
appear the names Of Senator New of
Indiana Senator Lodge and Senator
Knox. Senator New has not declared
outright opposition to the covenant,
and it is thought that Senator Lodge
and Senator Knox cannot be classed
as absolutely hostile to the league in
any form. The other opponents are
alleged to be Senators Borah, Sher-
man, Reed, Moses, Hall. Frelinghuy-
sen, Wadsworth, Penrose and Poin-
dexter.
Senators classed as doubtful are said
to be johnson Of California, Phipps,
Brandegee, Mclean, Ball, Mccormick,
Watson, Fernald, Hale, France, Walsh,
Mont; Newberry, Calder. Harding, Colt,
Page. Dillingham;. Lenroot. La Toilette
and Warren.
1t is admitted that many of the sena-
tors in the doubtful list will support the
league of nations as soon as they sat
!sfy themselves that the amended cove
Eant removes the objections which they
urged against the plan.
Others will vote for the league If it is
declared further amendments can be
made, and the supporters Of the league
Of nations are confident that they have
at this. time more than the necessary
two thirds required to ratify They
expect that when the President returns
bringing the treaty OF peace with the
league Of nations tied up in 1t the coun-
try will Immediately set up a clamor
for ratification Of the treaty. They ex-
pect efforts to be made to amend the
but they believe that whether
it is amended or not the treaty will be
ratified and the league Of nations put
into effect.