The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-01
LEADERS OF SENATE
ALARMED AT APATHY
Are Apprehensive That Public
Indifference VIII Ram League
Covenant Through. ~
WILL ROUSE THE PEOPLE
Dangers That Lurk in Article
10 to Be Emphasized as
Reasons for Rejection.
Special Despatch TO The Sex.

WASHINGTON. April s0.--A Democratic
effort, to jam the League Of Nations cove
hant through the Senate In hurry is ex-
pected by its opponents. who believe that
President Wilson and 4,Administra alton
Senators will attempt to make the coun-
try believe that II 10 more important
for the Senate to swallow the league
and the peace treaty than II il to en-
deavor to safeguard American interests.
Although opposition Senators realize
what tremendous sentiment may be
created by the President being back Of
such an effort there was no disposition
to-day to retreat in the slightest from
the determination TO fight the covenant
to the end and to make every possible
legitimate EFFORT to amend 1t so that
some adequate protection may be given
20 American interests. b
Senators who have watched public
sentiment throughout the country realize
that the great advantage possessed by
the Democrats who would force the
treaty through IL in the indifference. ,of
thousands to the possibilities they think
Il carries for harm to this nation, In. the
future and what they feel Is an almost
typical attitude In the, United States
that "the President and the Senate
might as well get together and pat the
covenant through"
VIII Emphasize Article x.
How strong this feeling may be no.
body here feels qualified to say, but
It is known that 1t Is manifest in many
places and that the idea that the league
may prevent wars in the, future has
taken hold on the imagination 'of people
who have suffered in this war. RI.
To Offset this tendency several OF the
strenuous opponents OF the pact intend
In their speeches against X to lay par
ticular stress on Article X, which guar
antees the status quo OF the world and
which means that members OF the leagie
to preserve the status quo might in the
future have to go to war to do so.
Senator Johnson tCal.) is expected to
be the leader In a fight as soon as Con-
gress meets to have the American SOL
diers brought home; defetrinE the league
covenant debate until that has been ac-
accomplished. The Californian is one Of
the best fighters In the Senate and is not
1fkely to be frightened by any attempts
10 assert that he is delaying peace and
encouraging further unrest in Europe by
This attitude.
Chamberlain Changes Stand.
An indication of, how the Democrats
lmay back up the President came rather
Unexpectedly to-day from Senator Cham
Eberlain (Ore.), who announced his sup
port Of the covenant. Mr.. Chamberlain
bias consistently declared himself IN
flavor OF league. but previously has ex-
pressed doubt as to the suffSciency OF
protection on the immigration question
Here IL his statement. ,
81 favor the League of Nations AS
lnow reported. There were certain fun
damentals which + thought ought to be
ileft out and others. (which. !. thqpsht
fought to be includsd land which were
mot SO included. As Slla ,cesssitstion Of
Hhe league now stands these StndA1RNu.
PALS have been excluded or fh0taas1 10
inject the objections which 1 had. and II
seems to me that II would be unfortu-
inato for tho world that the league
ssho uld be held up or defeated by. the
Senate except on account OF an over
.wheiming emergency.
Ours Is the only country where there
lb q Senate or other legislative body
% Nations when II Is finally agreed
Supor. II all the nations. therefore; are
agreed upon the present league and the
Peace Treaty, which I assume will be
presented In connection with II, the
United States Senate Is the only body
IT. the world that can defeat or postpone
this pact: and the defeat OF II, in my
tp!rion. means the prolongation OF the
present war, which Is resting only be-
cause of the armistIce.
at seems to me that II the League
Of Nations and the Peace Treaty have
been signed and agreed 20 Il Is better
for world peace that America do not
assume the responsibility Of delaying
II for any slight reason. am express
Ing this opinion on the assumption that
the league ard the Peace Treaty are In
the form that appears TO be official and
therefore shall reserve the right to re-
view the whole question when the matter
comes before the Senate
There is a strong feeling among Sena
tors here. apparently without any tangi-
bic basis. that the extra session will be
called for some date between May 10 and
May 81. I',.- {