Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-12-18
SENATE QUESTION
IS TREATY DEAD?"
Senators Lodge and Lenroot
Say Pact Is Surely Defunct
Unless It Is Again Submitted
BY President Wilson
NO, SAYS UNDERWOOD
Declares IL Can he Called Up Any Time
lily Majority Ncte-BOrah Says T'reR-
~ HIS Expired and He For One Is
Glad of That Fact

Washington, Dec 1.-THE first open
discussion OF the peace treaty in tht
Senate at this session of Congress came
to-day during the debate on the railroad
bill.
Senator Lodge, the republican leader,
and S.Gt.tor Lenroct. of Wisconsin. lead
of the mild reservation" group of
republican senators, declared the treaty
was dead until again submitted by the
President and charged the democrats
responsibility for the failure to rat!-
fy 1t at the special session.
Senator Underwood, democrat, Ala
bama. said the treaty could be called up
at any time by a majority vote and in
turn charged the republicans with re-
sponsibility for the failure of the Sem
ate to act
The treaty debate lasted about an hour
but without result so far as future plans
for its disposition are concerned and
ended with statement by Senator
Thomas. democrat. Colorado, that both
eidea having passed and re-rassed the
buck. it was time for the Senate TO turn
to rea! business
The treaty was brought to the fore
when Senator Underwood in demanding
prompt passage of the railroad bill
charged the republicans with failure to
enact any substantial legislation and
cited defeat of the treaty a republi-
can dereliction. Senators Lodge and
Lenroot promptly challenged the Alabama
senator, asserting the democrats are re-
Sponsible for present inIction on the
treaty.
The blame lies on the democratic side
and on the President" said Senator Len
root. reviewing the Senatc's procedure on
November 10 and charging that "propa-
ganda' exists to hold the republicans re-
sponsible for the present status. Before
the vote on the Lodge resolution. Sena-
tor Lenroot said the republicans repeat
edly' asked Senator Hitchcock, who was
not present during to-day's discussion, to
suggest some counter proposition, but
that none came nor yet has been pre-
sented
Until he does there is no way by
which the treaty can be ratified" the Wis
consin senator added.
THE senator has been trying to nut
the blame for the whole treaty situation
on this side" Senator Underwood replied
HE can't do that. The country will never
receive the argument. The treaty is lying
on the Independents table and ma
Jority of the Senate can take it up at
any time"
! lie treaty IS nor before us, senator
Lodge interjected 1T can't be taken UP.
The Senate has overruled three times the
proposition the senator from Alabama
puts forth. II contravenes every precedent
and every principle of parliamentary
procedure. -
Denying Mr.. Lodges assertions, Senator
Underwood said tao only thing disposed
of was the proposed resolution of ratfca-
teraty we could do it,
still is pending.
81 know" Senator Underwood con-
tinued that as long as the ma toritv on
that republican, side say the treaty. is
dead, 1t is dead temporarily because
nobody can do anything with it, because
a majority won't vote to take it up But
If the majority desired to resurrect the
ton and contended that the treaty itself
The President can withdraw and re-
submit it the same day" Senator Lodge
interjected.
And the Senate also can tell the Pres
ident that the treaty is dead" Mr.. In
derwood countered. Il think it is prop
er for the majority to notify the Presi-
dent. which has not been done"
Senator Borah, declaring he viewed the
treaty's death" with extreme satisfac-
ton. entered into the debate, to say:
II trust sincerely that it is dead and
that it will stay dead. Its about the best
thing the Senate has done in twenty
years and If It had done nothing else but
kill that treaty II would be entitled to
qualification of the American people for
all time to come
THE treaty has passed from consider
alton of the Senate" Mr. Borah contin-
ued. ito the people. Politicians who gath
err here may debate behind closed doors
on whether it is to be an issue in the
campaign but they will have no effect
The question has gone to the Jurisdiction
of the American people and it will be
finally and everlastngly settled in the
elections of 1920. You can't eliminate it
and neither the pussyfooting of members
OF my party nor that of the same class
in your party will have the slightest eff
feet in taking it away from the people"