The sun., 1919-08-21
WILSON TRIES
PRESENTATIONS
Senator Pittman asSpokesman
Offers Declaration of League
Interpretation.
WAS TO PRECEDE ACTION
Republicans Regard Move as
Show of Weakness-In No
Mood for Compromise.
WAS TO PRECEDE ACTION
Special De.patcn to TIE Sun.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 20.-A tactical
blunder marked the first move of the
Administration forces in the Senate
following yesterdays conference be-
tween the President and the members
Of the Foreign Relations Committee
at the White House. Senator Pitt
man New, a Democratic member Of
the committee, introduced in the Sem
ate to-day a resolution setting forth
four declarations of the American
understanding of the League of Ma
tions covenant in respect to with
drawal from the league. Article Y.
questions OF domestic policies and the
Monroe Doctrine. The resolution dis
pleased even the least ardent expo
nents of reservations among the Re-
publicans and served to solidify rather
than diffuse opposition TO the pact
and the covenant as a whole.
The Pittman resolution was in
tended to have been adopted in ad-
vance of ratification as a notice to the
member nations of the league and to
Americas associates In the war that
America interpreted certain limita-
tions and adhered to certain tenets Of
national policy which we're inconsirt-
ent with the phraseology OF the cove
nant itself and overrode any provisions
Of that instrument But according to
the Administration plan as disclosed
in Senator Pittman's proposal this
proposal would be all the reservations
America might make. II was to pre-
cede the adoption OF a resolution Of
ratification of the treaty and the
league covenant at q single eulp and
right there the Republicans choked.
Seen ms Bid for Farley.
Senator McCumber IN. d., leader
OF the so-called mild reservatonists,
choked harder than any Of the other
seven of his particular faction. He
was mad at the precipitate action Of
Senator Pittman, and he said so In
distinct terms. Other members OF
the mild reservationist" group an
nounced similar views to those enter
tanned by Senator McCumber on this
newest Administration move to befog
the issue before the Senate and the
American people. Their opinions ap-
pear later.
But the rank and fle of the Republi-
cans, including the leaders of the party
in the Senate. accepted the Pittman res
olution as marking the first busle note
in the Administrations call for parley
to precede a proposal OF further conces-
s,ons from the White House. Senator
Pittman had offered the shadow OF
solution, but no substance, and just now
the leaders of the anti-league forces are
In no conciliatory mood. They hold the
whip hand and they know It. They know
that they have the votes necessary 10
defeat the peace treaty, covenant and all,
II the Administration view should by
any means prevail and hold that in the
writing of the resolution of ratification
vital reservations, virtual amendments
which will set forth Americas position
with equivocstion and speciousness.
should not be included. and as last re-
sort they will not hesitate to use their
full power.
A considerable part OF to-day was de-
voted to discussion of the resolutions,
both on the floor and in conferences OF
Senators. The private discussions and
interviews issued made 1t plain that the
resolution cannot be adopted for the
reason that not one of the Republican
group of so-called reservation Sena-
tors" will accept the programme.
Described ms Meaningless.
1t Is declared to he futile and mean
ingless, because unless written into the
ratification resolution the statements OF
the American attitude would be without
force or effect. The unanimity of this
view was such that before the days
close it was accepted that the Pittman
resolution was shorn already OF al
chance OF adoption, though 1t doubtless
will be the subject of considerable de-
bate Indications tonight are that II
never will be reported from the Foreign
Relations Committee.
The Pittman resolution follows:
That when the Senate of the United
States shall advise and consent TO
the ratification Of the treaty of peace
with Germany. signed at Paris on
the 2sth day OF June. 1919, now pend
ing in the Senate. that It be done
with and In consideration OF the fol-
lowing understanding as TO the pres
ent and future construction and in
depreciation to be given 10 the treaty:
l. That whenever the two years
notice of withdrawal from the League
OF Nations shall have been given by
any member of the league, as pro-
vided in Article l., the Government
giving such notice shall be the sole
judge whether all its International
obligations and all its obligations un-
der the covenant shall have been full
filled at the time Of withdrawal.
9. That the suggestions OF the
council OF the League OF Nations as
to the means of carrying into effect
the obligations OF Article X, the exc
cution of which may require the use
of military or naval forces or eco
Continued on Second Pa0s.