New-York tribune., 1919-12-17
Open Compromise Move
Likely to Result if He
Defeats Hitchcock for
the Minority Leadership
famous This Week
May Settle Issue
Alabama Senator Would
Accept Knox Peace Plan
if Other Efforts Fail
By Carter Field
Nr'c York T ribune
~ cShirOfor Ruyrnu

" AZ III W. w. w. tV.---O Oitt vi
NE big obstacles to progress toward
compromise on ,he peace treaty
,hs Democratic leadership fight be
tween Senator'S Hitchcock and I'm
Ssrwood-nlay be put out of the way
before the end of the week. Senator
/ Hitchcock, as acting leader, an
nounced to-day he probably would
| call a caucus Of Democratic Sena-
tors to decide which man is to be
| leader.
The TWO rivals for the leadership
appeared at the Capitol to-day for
the first time since Saturday, and
both talked on the treaty situation.
I There is an impression that Senator
Hitchcock is trying hard to follow
he President as closely as possible,
while Senator Underwood is appeal
ing to the element which believes the
treaty situation should be disposed
Of promptly, no matter what conces-
SONS have to be made to the Repub-
leans on reservations. Mr. Under
wood is even willing to go to the
length Of accepting the Knox resolu-
lion declaring peace. postpOning the
league Of nations aght until some
0ther time. f the treaty cannot be
carried through now on some com
promise.
"know When Am Beaten"
Il have sense enough TO know when
am hoaten," lie commented, after
saying that If the President really
santed the treaty ratified without
changes I'VE know that is impossible" :"
Friends Of both leaders insist that
lhere IS 10 doubt about their man
Winning Both sides say they have
lists Of "pledged' Senators constitut-
ne more than q majority OF the Dem
oeratic Senator'S 1t had been intended
TO postpone Inc Democratic caucus un-
IL after Christmas. but as it obviously
is standing II the way OF any progress
toward disposing Of the peace treaty,
and as many absent Democrats are re-
turning fol The expected vote on the
railroad BIZ IT now is possible to
have meeting with nearly all the
Democrats present.
At this caucus-"confere renee" is the
term Democrats prefer-it is expected
there will be some frank talk about
the Presidents statement A bolt
against the no concession, no com
promise plank is believed possible
There was grave doubt on November r
~, when the Presidents letter calling
the Democratic Senator'S TO vote to re
!ect the treaty rather than ratify Il
with the Lodge reservations was re
aelved, that enough Democratic Sena-
tors would bolt to ratify the treaty
although this bolt did not materlalize.
The sentiment against following the
President implicitly on the treaty has
been growing since that time, how
ever, and il is expected to boil over at
the caucus.
Underwood Issues Statement
Senator Underwood is a fighter, and
although he says he knows when he
Is beaten he has not been beaten in
political fights often enough to have
had much experience in that line. lie
still has many friends who think that
ne withdrew from the race n the Bal
,more convention before he was
nd h.44 10 !
the Democratic nominee had he not
Withdrawn so soon
Mr.. CnderWood's statement to-dav
which created considerable intere st
among Republican a. vel AS Demo
cratic Senators, follows:
i have analyzed the Presidents
statement and do not believe there is
anything IN II which would indicate
mat ne Is opposed to conciliation.
! neneve II We can get proposition on
winch siNty-four Senator'S can agree
and then submit it to the Rresiden he
N wiling to consider it. Ii the Presi-
oeht wants a treaty without the cross
ing o. . or the dotting Of an H.
,,hen we know that is impossible.
nave tried il and failed, and | have
sense enough to know when am
beaten
Inc reaction to the Senate's failure
20 20 do anything on the treaty is now
oeihg seen clearly throughout the
country. The people want peace, and
'heFe must be peace
Senate's Duty to Act
My first position was one of sup
porihg unreserved ratification As we
sannot have that, it is the Senate s
uuty to get together and try to ratify
win mild reservations If agreement
On the basis OF mild reservations is
impossible, then am in favor OF the
Ahox proposal-to ratify the treaty
and leave the league of nations to be
aecided on By the people. If we get
Hsaee' am not afraid TO leave the
league to another occasion.
=, lhe Senate should not recess for
nv me holidays until it finally disposes
VI W tne treaty and the railroad bill.
Inc point has been reached where the
business interests of the country are
IA u. grave danger. There is from fifteen
20, % twenty majority for the Cummins
''!i, according to the best estimates "
e is there a considerable number Of
tehators on the Democratic side who
-svor the Knox proposal to make peace