The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-27


DAY n the matter Of the Taft-Iays cor.
rcrpon6ence rtgarding treaty amendment
land ratification. 1t is known that, in ad-
dition to the two letters Of the former
Proficient to the Republican national
chairman, there are at least three other
letters dealing with the same matter In
possession Of Senator's
IN one OF these, II IL stated, the ex.
President expressed the confident opln-
ion that the Franco-American alliance
treaty could not be ratified because tho
necessary two-thirds vote could not be
mustered for IL; and therefore Mr.. Tart
suggested that II was the more impera-
tive that the treaty Of peace be ratified
and the League Of Nations put IN work.
Ing order just as soon as possible.
In this connection a Republican Sen
ate leader observed that he believed the
Prssident's attitude about the two-thirds
vote In the Senate has not been corr
rectly interpreted. There have been
repeated suggestions that the Demo.
Gratis might take the position that a
two-thirds vote IL necessary to adopt
amendments to the treaty.
Rule IL n Dead Letter.
1T IL hardly possible that they viii
attempt TO insist on such a rule, which
has never been followed" this Senator
eaid Even II It were possible to get
the Vice-President 20 make such ruling
II would be overturned by majority OF
the Senate.
But don't think this Is the real
point TO the discussion OF a two-thirds
vote. believe the Presidents position
fs. not that two-th.rds are necessary to
amend, but that II the treaty IL amended
by q resolution separate from that Of
ratification, the President could veto this
separate amendment and then II would
. require two-thirds vote TO pass II over
the veto. in that case there would be
Q deadlock. the President unwilling TO
approve the resolution of ratification and
the Senate unwilling to ratify unless the
amendment were approved"
This Senator declared his belief, on
Information, that there were forty Sem
ators ready TO reject the treaty II 1t was
not amended. He added
1.-THE President will not change a Sem
atorial vote during his tour OF tie coun-
try unless he makes more effective
speech than his address to the Senate
mas proved. That speech In the Senate
has been the subject OF many letters from
the country now coming 70 Senators and
u has rather weakened than strength
ened the Presidents case with the coun-
try, judging by these letters.
something much more specific In favor
OF this alliance with Europe that has
yet been advanced by the President. The
TAFT proposal will Of course incline some
Republicans who have been accepting Mr.,
Tafts leadership. to assent 70 amend.
fnents."
Long Road Ahead for Treaty.
How long the treaty will be In the
Foreign Relations Committee is again
under discussion, and opinion Ia moi
optimistic. Members OF the COMMITTEES
guess all tho way from two to six weeks
How long the discussion will thereafter
keep II in the Senate IL equally un'
certain.
Some Senators think Il can be dis.
posed OF by October 1. Others doubt
n II will be out OF the way by the END
OF the year. Aside from amendments
that will be proposed by the committee
II 10 known that many others will be
offered from the ssnate floor, and there
win be much discu ssion Of every pro.
posal to amend.
That the question will be alive fol
many months was indicated by Senator
Borhh (Idaho) when he observed
There will be nopossible way to pre-.
vent this question OF alliance Will
Europe from being pressed in the Re.
publican National Convention. Thai
cannot be prevented. whether meanwhile
We shall have Joined the league or de-
cided to stay out
IF we have decided TO stay out thu
Democrats will make the issue on theil
demand that we shall 20 In. II we hav,
decided to 60 in there will be a demand
IN the convention that the platform com
NIT the party to giving notice Of with
drawal under the two years clause 81
the question will be before the con
vention any way events may turn"