New-York tribune., 1919-08-01
Z Republicans
Seek Treaty
Compromise
Continued from page 1

lined his reservations. Nor does the
programme differ in essential features
from the reservations proposed by
Charles E. Hughes.
or the group of seven Lenroot Kel-
logg and Spencer agree on a modified
form of the Root reservation. The only
important difference is that, whereas
Mr.. Root would have eliminated Arti-
Gle X, the Senators would merely re-
serve the right Of the United States to
decide at the time whether it should
take action at the suggestion of the
league council. Actually none of the
group wants to go further in making a
McNary went in defining his under
standing Of Article x in his recent
speech.
Colt Is Non-Committal
Senator Colt is not concerned about
the withdrawal reservation, but he has
no objection to the ideas of the others
1t is not question in any one of
these cases of overcoming opposition
1t is a question of stating what they
all want, even in cases where one or
two may think it unnecessary repeti
tion in language they can all agree on.
CcidCOI N1COUHlUeI, INC DcldLOI MI
Nary does not think any reservations
are virtually essential. What these
two Senators want is the ratification
of the league, but they have no funda-
mental objection to the ideas proposed
in any Of the modified Root rescrva-
tions.
The fact that Senators McCumbcr
and McNary have virtually agreed in
the GROUP of seven" meetings on the
ideas underlying the Root reservations
is regarded by Senators urging reser-
vations as a tremendous gain in the
fight to force the President to accept
the reservation programme.
The GROUP of seven" thus is elmi-
mating the chief element of weakness
in the reservationist camp-the fact
that although more than majority of
the Senate favored reservations, it was
not at all sure that majority could
be mustered on any particular reser-
vation. The compromise now virtually
reached carries with it the understand
ing that all of the Republicans will
vote for all of the reservations agreed
upon. The group of seven" contains
all those who were doubtful on the
individual reservations.
Reed Still Irrcconcilable
The votes of Senators Reed and Gore,
on the Democratic side, arc assured on
reservations. Mr.. Reed returned to- day
from a speaking tour, still member o'
the "Borah irrcconcilablcs." He said
he would vote for all reservations
which might reduce the harm the
league could do. but he would vote
against the league at the end, no
matter how many reservations might
be adopted.
While the GROUP of seven" were
smoothing out language which would
protect American interests and yet not
be too strong for the President to accept
Mr. Wilson at the other end of the ave
nue., was learning of opposition to the
league as it stands from Senators New
of Indiana, and Reyes. of New Hamp-
shire.
Senator New told the President he
was an American first and not an in
ternationalist. He brushed aside the
Presidents point that other nations
would follow our example of adopting
reservations by saying that America
could not sacrifice her rights merely
because of such fear,
Senator keyes commented that his
back was sitter than ever.
Evidences that the President was
much worried over the failure of
Japan to make any statement or
Shantung, which began to develop
yesterday. were increasingly apparent
to-day. The President intimated agair
to visitors that if Japan did not
shortly make a declaration of her in.
tcntlons as to Shantung, he woulo
make statement to the public or te
the Senate as to the understandings
at Paris
Curious aS tO Wilson Wow
In the Senate, among opponents OF
the Shantung provision, there is only
CURIOSITY as to any statement the
President may make. There is no evi
dence that he could change any votes
Unless there is statement from
Japan, according tc those who have
canvassed the situation, the Senate j.
expected to take cognizance in some
way of the Shantung provision
Whether it will be stricken out by
direct amendment will be determined
only by a rollcall. Certainly, it j:
declared, unless there is a statement
from Japan there will e rcserva
tlon in the ratification resolution with
regard to Shantung.
1T IS pointed out that no statemen
by the President would have any bind
ing effect in the future. 1t would no
PleuSc Japan. Win the treaty ratl
fed, the Presidential statement woult
be merely, Senators declare, an inter
esting bit of cOntemporaneous history
At some time in the future. when
test arose over this section, it is said,
nothing would be simpler than fol
Japan to say that Mr.. Wilson's state
mcnt showed he had misunderstood
the meaning of her peace commits
sioners
Although Shantung is mentioned il
the draft of reservations of Senator
Spencer, which he submitted to II,
President the other day, the group O
seven has not been discussing Shan
tung. 1t has confined itself to reserva
tions on the league of nations cove
nant.
The entire Senate, as result o