Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-11-23

g ENAToR LODGES statement that there
~ will be no compromise in the Senate in
the effort to revive the treaty and secure
ratification with reservations less sweeping
than those adopted in committee Of the whole
ana subsequently rejected by the votes OF
twenty-eight Democrats and thirteen irrecon-
cllable Republicans seems to be well sup
ported by the actual lineup OH the several
votes taken. eliminating in the final one set
ing the treaty aside for new business. On
none OF these votes was sufficient strength
IN evidence under any combination possible
10 be effected among the friends of the treaty
TO secure its ratification. either with or with
out reservations. Assuming that there is
considerable body of Republicans who would
be willing to join tho Democrats in support
ing compromise resolution mildcr than the
Lodge resolution. this would mean nothing
more than change in the personnel of/thc
lineup, as on the vote on such compromise
resolution enough irreconcilablc Democrats
and Republicans would likely switch TO the
other side to Offset this gain thus leaving
The situation rs DefOrc-withn the power OF
LodGc ana his following To defeat ratification
unless permitted to dictate the terms.
Hence, the statement OF Lodge that there
was no room FOR further compromise" is
significant Of set determination to defeat any
and all moves looking to displacement from
the favorable position he thinks he has won
LOT his party in carrying the issue before
tue voters OIL the country in the next election.
AS The Times-D Dispatch has heretofore
stated, the Republicans outmaneuvcrcd the
Democrats in the parliamentary proceedings
leading up to the disposition of the treaty
forcing tho latter to vol" against it with such
reservations as a mGiofity OF the Senate had
decided wore necessary to Americanize it
and make il safe TO- the United States to
operate under. III meeting the issue in
volvoa in this contention, the Democrats will
iind themselves at disadvantage to justify
their conduct in rejecting these alleged safe
guards. thereby defeating ratification and
nostponing indefinitely settlement OF the is
sues arising out OF the war, with the very
serious consequences that must inevitably
cnsuc to America and the world at large
The American people very sensitive
regarding the assumption OF any treaty OBJ
legations which smack in the least particular
OF abandonment OF the traditional policy of
This country TO steer clear OF alliances which
involve intcrmcddlng in the affairs OF
interpreting in the concerns OF the Western
Hemisphere, and Republican leadership can
be depended on TO play upon this sentiment
FOR all that it is worth with consummate
skill in the proposed appeal to the country
TO sustain tho partys attitude toward the
treaty as recorded in the Senate. The Demo-
cratic party Will be compelled to fight on
the defensive throughout the campaign and
unless it is able to conduct ii along true
educational lines, in which the interest of
every voter can be aroused and preconceived
raise impressions rcmOved--a difficult I'M
dcrtaking, at best--thcrc is no assure
from the present outlook that the Republi-
cans will not win tho fight