The sun., 1919-07-31
FERNALD STAND
SHOCKS WILSON
President Resents Maine Sem
at0r's Declaration Covenant
Lacks Americanism.
CUTS WHITE HOUSE VISIT
First Open Clash Since Talks
Began-Dillingham Quizzes
Executive.
CUTS WHITE HOUSE VISIT
Special DesputcA to The Sun.

the series Of White House interviews
with Republican Senators was reached
to-day when Senator Fernald frankly
told the President that the League of
Nations covenant was lacking in
Americanism, and that this particular
shortcoming in the product of the
Paris conference was the real reason
behind all the Republican opposition.
The conversation with the Maine
Senator marked the first actual clash
between the President and the opposi-
tion. Heretofore all the amenities have
been preserved, and while in no case
productive of a conversion or even the
shadow Of a turning on the part of
members of the G.. o. p. the calls at
the White House have proceeded along
lines OF tolerance. 1t remained for the
Down Easter to break the rule and
speak his mind with perhaps more fer
vor than kindness.
The greeting between the President
and Senator Fernald was of the most
cordial character. Both gentlemen
were delighted at the opportunity for
an Interchange Of views, they said
But Senator Fernald plunged right
into the interview with statement to
the President that although he was
honored at the opportunity for a chat
and would be glad to talk with the
President as to the experience Of him.
self and his encourage at Paris and in
Europe generally. and would be
pleased to hear the Presidents views,
he was not In an attitude of mind to
he convinced Of the falsity of his posi-
tion as to the necessity for vital reser-
vations tantamount to amendments to
tn, league covenant.
AZ Others Behind Him.
"And furthermore, Mr.. President" "
continued Senator Fernald. this posi-
ton OF mine is that of no less than
forty-two other members OF the Senate"
The President looked bit shocked
at the frankness Of Mr. Fernald. but
said he had hoped to be able to convey
some information to him which might
make clearer the situation and moro un-
ministration had taken with regard to
amendatory action.
Mr.. Fernald said that that would be
useless. He said he appreciated the
Presidents desire for the clarihcation
of councils. but that he had been apply
ing himself assiduously to the closest
sort Of study OF the situation for
months. He had perused with the great
est care every document and speech in
and out OF the Senate dealing with the
situation. He had studied the peace pact
and the league covenant and had neg
lected nothing dn the matter Of scruti-
MIXING every word the President him
self had written or uttered on tho sub
tect. He went on to say that II at any
time doubts arose in his mind or that
he came to feel that information from
the President was essential TO him he
would not hesitate to seek an engage
ment at the White House for a further
interview.
Seemingly the President was dis
pleased at the apparent fixed attitude
Of Senator Fernald. He told him that
he had assumed there we're at least
sixty men in the Senate who took a
world view OF the present crisis in af-
fairs.
That is exactly what at least sixty
men in the Senate do take,' replied Sem
ator Fernald, "but their world view In
cludes in it's scope the United States OF
America"
The President terminated the inter-
view almost Immediately.
President Wilson's Senatorial callers,
invited to discuss the treaty with him.
In addition to Senator Fernald included
Senators Dillingham; Vt). Harding
(Ohio) and Lenroot (Wis). To-mor-
row he has appointments with Sena-
tors New and Watson (Ind.) and
Keyes IN. HI.
Senator Dillingham;, after an hour
with the President, said the President
regarded the French treaty as merely
a supplement to the League OF Nations,
but desired that 1t should be ratified,
although he believed personally that tho
guarantees pf the league would bo
ample for Frances protection. He
pointed out that the French people in
sisted that their security required tho
pledges contained in the special alliances
with the United States and Great
Britain, ana tne PRESIDENT ConSluerou
that TO grant the pledges would be q
harmless and graceful act, further pro-
motive of long friendship between the
nations. He was positive the arrange
ment would not abrogate in any way
the right OF Congress to declare war.
Calls Amendments Vital.
Senator Dillingham; told the President
with a good deal of conviction that the
League OF Nations covenant never could
be ratified without amendments outlln-
ing In substance those that had been
most discussed. The President i'm
pressed the Senator that personally he
considered mona of these amendments
really Objectionable. but insisted II would
be embarrassing and humiliating to have
to resubmit the treaty to Germany for
its consideration OF changes. More
over, the President reiterated what he
Continued on Second Page.