Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-12-02
Press of Many Inpor-.
tant Measures Nav
Force Delay Several
Weeks I'm Action on
Treaty Republican
Leader Lodge Firm
Against Further
Compromise Efforts

Washington. Dec. 1-Negoriations
for a compromise ratification Of the
peace treaty w2re renewed today
with the -eassembIing Of Congress.
but the general feeling Of senators
ON both sides WIS that il might be
some weeks before the movement
reached the stage of formal action
Republican and Democratic leaders
found themselves in agreement that
the legislative program should not
be longer delayed, and that the
treaty should not be brought again
before the Senate formally until a
way 10 dispose of il finally had been
opened by private discussion. There
were Indications that the resolution
TO declare a state Of peace also might
be delayed until important legisia-
ton had been cleared away.
The disposition TO leave the treaty
side tracked for the present was ex-
fiected ID the message which Pl'esi-
dent Wilson will send to Congress to-
MORROW. None professed To have any
definite knowledge of the President S
Intentions. however. and White
House officials were silent tonight re-
garding the probable cUnrenls II the
message.
In the short session today neither
the treaty or the peace resolution was
mentioned. bur there was much pri-
waite talk which developed some dis
position to compromise on both sides.
Democratic senators who approached
Republicans ON the subject were told
to nut their PROPOSALS into concrete
form. They promised To do SO within
dry or two.
To these discussions. however.
Senator Lodge. the Republican lend
er. WIS not party. He has an
nounced his opposition to any further
compromise and is understood To
have cpunseied his colleagues To
stand suuarely behind the reserva-
lions accepted by the majority II
the last session,
leader. predicted that the compromise
efforts would succeed and that within q
few weeks il would be possible TO bring
II. the treaty and ratify il quickly 7e
expects 10 see President Wilson sor-l
and is expected 10 ascertain Just what
reservations the President would acceDt
rHther than see the treaty die.
During the day Senator Hitchcock
was in communication with White
have told them there would be no urg-
cnt necessity for him to see the Pres
ident for further aiy-ices. A conference
may be held late this week.
Although Senator Lodge is understood
TO be anxious TO bring up as soon as
possible his resolution declaring a state
Of peace. other prominent Republicans
predicted that action on II in the tmms-
diate future would be irnpussii,ie.
Action On the resolution nv the House
will be sought at once however, the
Republican leaders making plans toda
to have il presented there within a Ciav
or SO. So far II has been introduced
only IN the Senate. where il now rests
N the foreign relations committee No
meeting of the committee has been cali
ed TO consider It.
One element which Is expected 70 fig
ure for delay in the compromise efforts
is the absence of nHny senators from
Washington. Barely more than half
the SENATE membership answered the
quorum can today and number expecr
To stay away until after the HOLIDAYS.