New-York tribune., 1919-12-02
Pact Unlikely To Be Act
ed On Before February,
Meanwhile Lodge Press
cs for Separate Peace
Five Billion Asked
For 1921 Expenses
" ilson's Message To-day;
Rail Return Measure
Is Given Right of Way
Ncw 1orh Tribun.
va shn1Oton Eur>nu

WASHINGTON. Dec. 1.-The Sixty
sixth Congress convened in its first
regular session at noon to-day and
prepared for the immediate considera-
tlon of pressing international and do
mostic problems.
Outstanding among questions before
that body was the conclusion of peace
with Germany. There does not seem
to be the slightest possibility tonight
that the Versailles treaty viii be rati-
fed before the Christmas holidays. and
the probability is that it will not be
acted on until late in january or early
IN February. Republican Lcadcr Lodge
Will attempt to force an end to the
present technical state of war by
pressing his resolution declaring peace
With Germany as soon as he can ar
range meeting of tie Foreign Rela-
tions Committee to consider it.
Rail Bill First Business
Among domestic problems before
Congress the Cummins railroad bill,
providing for the return Of the car
Tlors to private ownership and opera
ton under Federal supervision, will
receive first attention.
The annual estimates Of the Treasury
submitted by Secretary Class will re
QNlle carly consideration. Mr. Glass
estimated that s. 600, 600 600 would be
needed TO run the government during
the fiscal year 1871. tho largest sum
:
Apathy toward the treaty character.
ized the Democratic side Of the Senate
administration Leader Hitchcock has
10 seen the Pres idCnt, does not have
the slightest idea when he win see
him. and says he VIII not go to the
White House until he is invited.
Meanwhile, the Republicans, appar-
entity more determined than ever that
The Lodge reservations. exclusive of
he preamble requirement that three
"f the -four principal powers must as
sent in writing TO the reservations
shall be the minimum, are jubilant ove~
the situation
Senator Lodge was much encouraged
over reports made to HIM by Repub'-
IAN Senators as TO the scntimen they
discovered in thoir states dur nr the
recess about the treaty and the reser-
VatiOns proposed to "AmericaniZc" i
The people. Senators told Mr. Lodge,
are omphatically in favor OF the Lodge
reservations NJ odgo reiterated
that tho reservations are the "irredu-
chile minimum with which the treaty
can BE- ratified
Several Delay Return
Senator McCumhcr. Of Moth Dakota.
and Lerroot. Of Wisconsin. leaders of
the group of so-called "mild reserva-
tionists" among the Republicans. have
notified Senator Ledge thai they do not
expect to rcturN to Washington until
after the Christmas recess In thoir
absence nothing viii he done by any
Of the Republican friends of the treaty
toward eNectlng a compromise
The Foreign Relations Committee
viii meet either tomorrow or on
Wednesday to consider the resolution
declaring peace The absence of sen
ators Harding Of Ohio, and New, of In
diana, both of whose votes are needed
to report the peace resolution to the
Senate. may force postponement, but
Senator Lodge expects them to return
tomorrow.
Senator Hitchcock conferred to-day
with other Administration Senators
who went to their homes during the
recess regarding sentiment through
out the country on the Lodge roser-
vations.
Senator Hitchcock. in a conference
with Senator Lodge informed the Re-
publican loaGeG that The Administra
lion forces have done nothing 1T FL
about the treaty. He also told Senator
Lodge that he had been informed tnat
the President would not touch upon
me treaty IN his message 10 Congress
tomorrow.
Willing to Put 1t to Vote
Senator Lodge spoke for all of me
Republicans, he said when he declared
Immediately after the defeat of the
treaty, and again yesterday, that If
President Wilson wanted to carry he
would welcome il on the issue Of the
chairman OF the Republican National
Committee. is H. full accord with Sen
ator Lodges statements, the Senator
SAID
"Mr Hays vas witch me in .his otficr
on he nirht OF November 49, said AIr.
Lodge. The Senator's nrsr statement
announcing hat the que .ion of re1er-
vationS would be carried INTO the ap-
preaching Presidential campaign was
made fo owing that conferslce al
though Chairman Hsys did not see the
statement before it was made public.
But don't think there is any SPLIT
in the Republican party over it, Mr.
Lodge added
Senator Moses, OF New Hampshire,
Continued on page three