The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-11-19


Following the convenng OF todRy's
session, Senator Lodge formally pre-
sented his resolution Of ratification con-
taining the Is reservations adopted by
a majority OF the senate. At the out
set Senator Lodge asked unanimous
consent for. an immediate vote upon
unqualified ratification. Senator Hitch
cock said the Democrats preferred to
walt until the Lodge resolution had
withdrew his request for ballot on un-
reserved ratification and debate upon
the Lodge resolution began.
Senator Hitchcock said the Democrats
were OF the belief that the vote on un-
qualified ratification should be taken
after, and not before. the Lodge reso-
luton was disposed Of
"A number OF senators are commit
ted to the Lodge reservations" he said,
and 1t would not be kindly to propose
now, when senator's are bound ny
pledges, a resolution of unreserved rat
ification."
Senator Hitchcock added that after
a vote on the Lodge resolution he would
be glad to get unanimous consent to
offer resolution of unqualified ratifi-
cation.
Senator Lodge said II the Democrats
did not desire to vote at once on un-
his request,
There have been no pledges by sem
atorH," Senator Lodge added. The res
cryations were adopted by free, un~
dictated votes OF senators, and. In my
opinion they will not be modified By
any talk OF withdrawal"
Smith First Out.
Debate was opened by Senator Smith.
Democrat, Georgia, who announced that
while he did not approve OF all the res
erVations and the resolution was ''un-
fortunate In It's language he consid-
cred them an Improvement over the
treaty and added that he would support
them, He said he declined to allow
his Views to be controlled by anyone
else, but the treaty with these reser-
without them" for the reservations "frec
the. treaty from language Of uncertain
ty."
The reservation for article 10, he said,
Is not as strong as he desired. Il shall
vote for the resolution and the reserva-
tons that have been presented though
| would be gratified In many respects
to see them changed" Senator Smith
declared
Senator Knox, Republican, Pennysl-
vania, Of the irreconcilable group, said
II complete defeat OF the treaty could
not, be accomplished he desired to make
IT as acceptable as possible,
Senator Lodge asked that President
Wilson'S letter advising administration
Democrats to vote against the Lodge
ratification program be printed In the
Record, adding:
II think comment Is superfluous.
senator Thomas, Democrat. Colorado,
said he would vote against the resolu-
ton, not because of the presidents let
ter, but because Of the labor provisions.
Robinson Speaks.
Senator Robinson, Democrat, Arkan-
sas. said enemies OF the treaty had
succeeded Temporarily at least" in
accomplishing indirectly what they
could not do openly and have plan
ned to ALLEVIATE the nations who were
our allies In the war"
"Yet senators who say thnV went tho
treaty he said, "are aiding In this
plan which gives only coGno.l tv ia yse
who want to see the treaty killed"
Four prime objections 70 the Lodge
resolution were raised by Senator Rob-
insnn--the preamble, the Shantung pro-
visions, that regarding article 10 u the
league covenant and for withdrawal
from the league.
THE friends and not the enemies Of
the treaty said the sepator, Should
II the Lodge reservations were adopt
ed Senator Robinson said the pr ST.
dent probably" would refuse to negl-
tlate II.
III he should make the attempt" he
added, ut Is plain our self-respecting
allies would not accept"
Sherman Won Over.
Senator Sherman. Republican, Illinois
announced he would have to part
company" with some Of his Republican
associates and vote against the ratifl-
cation resolution.
The treaty and the reservations pro-
posed, Senator Sherman said, form a
"charter for an international homici lie
club" that will convert Europe into a
"legalized cockpit and provide no
maximum OF Justice and write no cole
Of law for the nations.
Immediately the presidents letter be-
came public, Republican Leader Lodge
declared he did not believe the senate
would obey the orders" q the 2resi-
dent, who undertakes to command the
senate to ratify the treaty without the
reservations which Americanize 1t and
made Il safe for the United States"
The decision OF Democratic friends OF
the treaty TO vote against a ratifica-
tion resolution containing the Lodga
reservations was affirmed at the coli
ItTtHCt VI lJttnbtIdlH. to6Hdlui
cock said enough Democrats TO insure
its defeat had agreed to vote against
the Lodge resolution,
Although the Democrat stand was
declared In Republican quarters to have
diminished the chances Of compro-
mise. It was learned that a proposal to
modify the preamble reservation Of the
committee so that the reservation would
not have TO have affirmative accept
ance by the other powers had been un-
der serious consideration by the Re-
publican leaders.
II was understood that the Republi-
cans had manifested willingness TO
insert q provlso BY which the res .rva-
tlons could be accepted by the other
powers by their merely mot objecting
to" them.
No Compromise.
No compromise plan was drafted by
the Democrats. but II was sugg sted
that after the prospective def a. Of the
Lodge reservation, committee of
Democrats would be appointed to con-
fer with the Republicans to that end.
Az the beginning Of todavs session
the clerks record OF the cloture ruiz
operations showed 13 hours and 81
minutes total time consumed, alt opgl
as senators had used none of the -four
allotted to each Of them. With one SEN
swunauunwuns -