New-York tribune., 1919-11-07
Unanimous Consent for
Ballot on Ratification
Without Reservations
Is Blocked by Zones
Democrats Decide
To Invoke Cloture
Republicans Will Not Be
Gagged ON Proposed
Changes, Says Marshall
BY Carter Field
Near York Tribunc
W1shtrufOn B1lrenu

Neao York Tribune
WASHINGTON Bureau
WASHINGTON, Nov 6.-The Senate
to-day barely escaped being called
upon to decide whether TO vote to rat
ify the treaty with Germany without
reservations. The crisis was precipi-
tated by Senator Underwood, Demo-
crat, Of Alabama, who accepted Sen
ator Lodges challenge to demand
unanimous consent for the vote The
motion was put by Administration
Leader Hitchcock, but consent was re-
fused by Senator Jones, Republican, Of
Washington.
Of no less dramatic interest was a
ruling made by Vice. President Mar
shall, clearing the way for the Repub-
lican majority to frame its ratiiica-
ton resolution as it pleases. The rul-
ing came after the last of the pro
posed amendments to the treaty had
been voted down and the program of
reservations had been taken up.
1t is now expected that vote on the
s0-called preamble to the reservations,
which requires the assent Of three of
the entry Of the United States into
the league Of nations with reservations,
will probably be reached tomorrow.
Democratic Senators in caucus to-
night decided to invoke the cloture
rule, with q view to nurryine the final
vote on the treaty. This will be she
first time the cloture rule, adopted
after the armed neutrality bill was
talked to death has been resorted to-
Favors Wide Debate
Mr.. Marshall, in his ruling. decided
frankly in opposition to technical rules,
but with a view to giving the Senate
ample opportunity to discuss all of the
reservations, and particularly to permit
Senators who had voted against amend
ments, thinking they could be pro-
tected by reservations, an opportunity
to propose amendments again if the
reservations adopted did not meet
their OBJ jectlons.
Some of the Republican leaders fear
this ruling may rise to plague them
later, when they are trying to force a
final vote on the treaty. They think
that then, if the Vice President should
pursue the same idea further Of al
lowing unlimited opportunity for re-
cording OF views, It would aid Senator
Hltchcock's plan for stalemating the
treaty.
The ruling followed one of the most
exciting scenes which the peace treaty
fight has provoked. Senator Under
wood was warmly denouncing the Re
publicans for delaying the treaty and
!
which would not give the Senate a
chance to vote directly on the question
of ratifying the treaty without amend
mentS or reservations.
Underwood Accepts Challenge
"Why does not the Senator ask unani-
nous consent for q vote right now
on the ratification of the treaty with
out reservations - demanded Mr.
Lodge.
The air became electric with excite
ment. Not q Senator on either side
had anticipated such proposal.
II will replied Senator Underwood
At once there was dismay apparent
all over the Democratic side, and on
not few Republican faces as well.
Don't do that" shouted Senator
Williams Administration Leader Hitch
cock was obviously fused and for sew
eral minutes played for delay, while
hurried conferences were held in plain
view of the enemy" and the galleries.
Finally the Democrats agreed to ac-
ccept the proposition, after Mr.. Lenroot
had obtained an agreement that the
vote would have no effect on the par.
liamentary standing Of the treat, if the
treaty failed to obtain q two-thirds
vote.
Vigorous protests by few Senator's
including Mr.. Fail, of New Mexico
We're smoothed out but just as the
decks Of both sides were cleared for
action Senator Jones, of Washington
objected
Had the vote beer held, it was frank
ly admitted by the Democrats after
ward, at least forty votes would have
been cast against ratification.
Senator Lodge thought there would
not have been less than 55 votes against
the treat without change 50 tha,
the Senate came within an ace Of send
ing out word to the world that it hac
cast ajority vote against the peace
treaty, although two-thirds are neces.
sAry for ratification.
Jones Feared Defeat
why did you object" NJ. Jones
was asked afterwarc
Il realize that the treaty would be
defeated" SAID M Jones, land, a.
though there was a unanimous consent
agreement which would have made the
vote meaningless in q parliamentary
sense, 1t would practically have worked
out IL the death Of the treaty In my
opinion had we voted just now the
treaty would never have been revived
Win the press of other legislation and
Continued ON pnoe ainht