New-York tribune., 1919-08-25
Wilson 8 League
Strategy Secret
Course if Amendments
Go Into Treaty Causes
Speculation at Capital

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24-How far
President Wilson may go in his fight
for unqualified Senate acceptance of
the peace treaty is subject of in
creasing speculation in official and
diplomatic circles.
There has been no authoritative ex-
preston of the Presidents probable
course should the treaty be returned
to him with textual amendments or
reservations written into the ratitica-
ton. He told the Foreign Relations
Committee Tuesday, however, that he
would consider either method of quail
fication as tantamount to reopening
the negotiations with Germany.
Should such amendments or reserva-
tions be inserted, therefore, the next
move would be up to the President.
What he would do is a question on
which those who have talked with him
disagree, but discussion of what he
would be authorized to do under the
law and precedents reveals a general
agreement that several courses would
be open.
Courses Of Action Omen
Summed un, these discussions con
template that he might take up the
question of changes in the treaty by
diplomatic correspondence; return to
Paris and ask that the peace confer
ence be reasscmbled for negotiation Of
new treaty; send new delegation to
reopen negotiations; or pocket tfre
treaty and refuse to proceed further
unless the Senate receded from its
position.
1t is known that the alternative of
an exchange of diplomatic notes with
the principal powers has been sug-
gested to the President by Republican
Senator's. Assent of the smaller ma
tons, these Senators asserted, would
be obtained easily once the other mem
oers OF the five principal powers had
acqulesced. 1t is pointed out that
the question of a reservation to the
Colon bian treaty now is under me-
gotlatlon BY that method.
The possibility of Mr.. Wilson's re-
turn to Paris is one which some Sen
ators say would be entirely in line
with his course thus far.
10 send an entirely new set of peace
delegates also would be admittedly
within the Presidents power. and in
that connection Republican Senators
have mentioned Senator Hitchcock 3
statement that the President laugh
ingly suggested Senators Lodge and
Knox as possible selections to nego-
tate new treaty should the present
one be amended.
Deadlock a Possibility
That the President might permit the
negotiations to stand in deadlock by
declining to take up with other gov
ernments eL any changes suggested by
the Senate involves perhaps the most
interesting possibilities of all.
Administration lea ders repeatedly
have declared the President alone was
charged with the negotiation of trea
tles, and the whole history Of treaty
making showed he could halt any such
negotiation at any step he desired
PRIOR to the exchange of ratifcations.
Inc Senate, these leaders have assert
eo, would be absolutely powerless to
interfere W
Should President Wilson adopt that
eourSe ana then appeal to the coun-
IIy' Republican Senators say the SEN
ate s, would adopt a resolution declaring
the war at an end and proceed to enact
such legislation as seemed necessary
TO y, restore a complete peace basis.
Inc problem Of the Presidents
course also involves question Of how
great an influence he will exercise
whiie the treaty still is before the Sem
a.e 10 prevent reservations from beinp
Incorporated in the ratification. All.
though the Republican reservationistc
say they have 'assurances that their
programme will be acceptable to most
bl the Senate Democrats, there has
zen no evidence that Mr.. Wilson has
gwen MS assent to any such com