Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-05-01
HOPE TO MODIFY COVENANT.
Republican Ssnstors Plan United Ac.
ton on World lssous.


Washington. May t.-Republican
leaders In the senate propose TO con-
centrate their efforts from now until
tho special session OF congress Is
called upon program of action which
viii lead to amendment OF the revised
league OF nations covenant.
Following the telegram sent yes
terday by Senator Lodge. TO republican
senators. ASKING them not To express
their views on The subject until con-
ference can DE held. II was agreed to
day that the republican conference
should be held Immediately after the
call for the special session comes from
the president.
Although the senator's here had no
authoritative information on the sub
ject. there wers indications that the
president would call congress in
extraordinary session some time be-
tween May Is and 80 and that he
would issue the call from Paris. The
republican conference will he held at
least a week before, and members have
been notified 70 be in readiness Tor
special summons,
II will be the purpose OF the repupii-
can leaders, who are not satisfied with
the league covenant in its revised
form to seek to amend II without un-
duly delaying peace. but in view OF the
fact that the discussion undoubtedly
must be considerably prolonged, some
of the senators believe that the con-
gress should frst insist upon seeing
to il that American troops are brought
home from Europe.
Senator Johnson of California Is ear
nestly in favor of a troop recall reso-
luton. and this matter will be submit
ted to the republican conference.
Two plans Of action relating 10 the
league covenant are under considera-
lion. One Is to dissociate the cove
nant from the treaty OF peace IL pos
sible. Whether this can be accom-
plIshed cannot be known deriniteIy UNI
til the treaty is at hand
The alternative suggestion Is TO
adopt a qualifying resolution or reso'
Iutiops making absolutely clear. by re-
moving apy possible ambiguity. the de-
termination of this country To stand
5y the Monroe doctrine and never 10
hermit it or immigration questions to
he subject to foreign Interpretation,
ClualitN1nS feSOIullOhS '''''
be resorted to in dealing with Ar'icle
10 OF the covenant. which commits 'ht
limited States to the preservation VI
territorial integrity Of European ma
lions. lust how this shall be done .'as
not been determined. The virtue OF
qualifying resolutions is that 'heS
would if adopted. permit the treaty
and covenant to he ratified Withou'
the necessity of their being returheu
TO the peace conference for recons!d-
Grafton. The amendments adoptd NJ
tn senate would merely qualify the
position of the United States with re-
ference to the treaty. There are sew
eral precedents for such action.
80 Against Treaty.
Some of the republican sena tors
here today canvassed the list OF ma
jorty senator's with respect to their
attitude toward the-leag que covenant IN
its revised form as reported. In the
opinion of these senators thirty three
or one more than enough to defeat the
covenant. are against it. They are the
following: Lodge. Curtis. Frelinghuy
sen, Fernald, Brandcgee Knox, Dill
ingham. Penrose. Harding, Cumnins.
Watson New. l.enroot Borah. Moses,
keyes. Johnson. Fall. PondeXter, Sher-
man. Mccormick, France. E.lkins. Hale.
Mclean. Sutherland, Newberry, Page,
Edge, Ball. GrOnna, Calder. Wads
worth.
In the opinion of the same leaders
the following ten republican senators
are doubtful: kellogg L.aF'ollette,
Smoot. Kenyon, Spencer, Capper.
Jones, Of Washington, Townsend,
Sterling and PhippS.