The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1919-08-26
He May Go Back to Versailles
and Ask Powers to Negoti-
ate New Treaty.
HOW FAR WILL HE COZ
No EpreSsiOn From White House
on Likely Course If Senate
Finally Amends the Treaty.

Washington, Aug. 25.-How far
President Wilson may go in his fight
for unqualified senate acceptance of
the peace treaty is a subject of in
creasing speculation in official ana
diplomatic circles
With the group of reservation Re-
publicans apparently determined to-
write their qualification of the league
of nations covenant into the ratifica-
uon itself, and with Republican lead
ers predicting that the senate wiz
amend outright the Shantung pro-
visions and perhaps other sections OF
the treaty, an interesting set of possi-
bilities present themselves.
There has been no authoritative ex-
preston of the presidents probable,
course should the treaty be returned
to him with teXtual amendments ot.
reservations written into the ratifica-
ton. He told the foreign relations
committee Tuesday, however, that he,
would consider either method of oual-
lhcatlon as tantamount to reopenine
the negotiations with Germany.
Should such amendments or reser-
Nations be inserted, therefore-an
eVentuality which Democratic senate,
leaders deny is likely but which the
Republicans say is certain-the next
move would be up to the president
What he would do is a question or
which those who have talked with
him disagree; but a discussion OF
what he would be authorized to dc.
under the law and precedents reveals
a general agreement that several
courses would be OPEN.
Might Return to Paris.
Summed up, these discussions con-
template that he might take up the
question Of changes in the treaty of
diplomatic correspondence; return to-
Paris and ask that the peace confer
ence be reassembled for negotiation
of new treaty; send a new delega-
tion to reopen negotiations, or pocket.
the treaty and refuse to proceed
further unless the senate receded
from us position.
1t is known that the alternative or
an exchange OF diplomatic notes with,
the principal powers has been sug-
gested to the president as the most
feasible by Republican senators whc.
have told him that the treaty never,
could be ratified as it stands. The
assent of the smaller nations. these
senators asserted, would be obtained
easily once the other members of the
hve principal powers have acquiesced
IL is pointed out that the question OF
a reservation to the Colombian treaty
new is under negotiation by that
method
The possibility of Mr. Wilson's re-
turn to Paris to straighten out the
points raised by any senate quaIifica-
tions is one which some senator's ssev-
would be entirely in line with his
course thus far in the peace settle
ment.
To send an entirely new set or
peace delegates also would be admit
'N'iH "iIhli Iut president s power
and in that connection Republican
senators frequently have mentioned
Senator HitChcock's statement thar
the president laughingly suggested
Senators Lodge and Knox as possible
selections TO negotiate a new treaty
should the present one be amended.
That the president might permit
the negotiations to stand in a dead
lock by declining to take up with 9th
er governments any changes suggest
ed by the senate involves perhaps the
most interesting possibilities of all.
The Presidents Power.
Administration leaders repeatedIy-
have declared that the president alone,
was charged with the negotiation OF
treaties and that the whole history
OF treaty making showed he couIoF
halt any such negotiation at any stet,
he desired prior to the exchange or
ratifications. The senate. these lead
ers have asserted, would be absolute
ly powerless to interfere its authority
under the constitution being limited
TO giving advice and consent to the
acts nf tho