Great Falls daily tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1895-1921, 1919-09-20
y0TEST0A[TER
TREATY CLAIMED
BY REPUBLICANS
First Change on Giving
u. S. and Britain an
Equality Of Power.
DEMOCRATS sANCU|NE
ASSAULTS WILL FAIL

Washington, Sept. 19.-After the
covenant Of the league Of nations, a part
of the German peace treaty, had been
read late today in the senate, republi-
can leaders claimed votes enough to pass,
probably next week, an amendment
which would give the United States equal
voting power with Great Britain in the
league assembly.
While confident the amendment will
be adopted the republicans hold that 1t
will not reopen the whole question of
the league and of peace and force the
return Of the pact to the peace confer
ence at Paris as President Wilson and
democratic leaders have predicted.
Johnson Paired.
aa There will be no session Of the senate
tomorrow, but the fight will open Mon
day in earnest, with prospect Of vote
on the British American amendment
proposed by Senator johnson, republi-
can, of California, by the end Of the
wek Telegrams were sent Thursday
to Senator johnson by Senator Borah,
of Idaho, after conference with Sena-
tor Lodge, urging his immediate return
here, but today Senator Lodge, chair
man of the foreign relations committee,
in charge Of the treaty on the floor, and
Senator krox. republican, of Pennsvf4
vana, telegraphed him that he might
proceed with his western trip and keep
on raking the league fore and aft as he
has been doing for the last ten days.
1t was assumed by republicans, to-
night, that Senator johnson would con-
tinue his speaking trip. AS he is paired
with Senator Martin, democrat, of Nir-
ginia, on all treaty votes except final
passage, he would not be able TO vote
for his amendment, although his friends
said he would be prepared to make a
hard fight for its adoption.
Both Sides Confident.
Senator Hitchcock, of Nebraska, lead
er Of the administration fight for rati-
fication, was as steadfast as heretofore,
however, in the belief that all amend
ments will be rejected. Democrats made
no attempt to disguise the feeling Of
elation that their cause was in good
shape, seeing in the hurry call sent TO
Senator johnson an evidence of doubt
in the opposition camp. 1t was while
they were still discussing this phase Of
of the Lodge and Knox message to
johnson to stay on the trail Of the
president in the West.
Nelson Differs With Colleagues.
For three hours, today. the treaty had
the right of way, starting with bitter
denuneation of its league covenant by
Senator Wadsworth, republican. of New
York. which was vigorously applauded
by crowded galleries Senator Nelson.
republican. Of Minnesota. belonging to
the mild reservation camp, attacked
the reservation reported out by the for
eign relations committee relating to the
refusal Of this nation to assume for
eign territorial guarantees without sane
ton Of congress under article ten. Sena-
tor Nelson upheld the right of the gov
eminent to send and keep American
soldiers in Russia, thus taking sharp is
sue with Senators johnson, Borah and
other republicans who have been fight
ing to get them home.
Last Articles Finally Read.
Although he had expected to speak.
today, Senator Reed, democrat, of Mis-
souri,, an opponent Of the league, told
the senate he was not prepared and
would speak Monday
With the formal addresses out Of the
way, Senator Hitchcock called for the
formal reading of the pact. and when the
senate quit work it had heard the last
article of the league covenant. with less
than score of senators in the cham
Der.
When article 16 was reached with its
committee amendment relating to dis
putes in the league assembly and their
handling, Senator Lodge asked that it be
passed over temporarily. There was no
objection, but Senator Hitchcock first
obtained from Senator Lodge assurances
that it could be taken up next week at
any time either side desired exactly as
is the case with the johnson amendment.
Action Depends on Votes.
There was no intimation as to when
the call would come. ANY time advo-
Gates or opponents of the league think
they have the votes in the hail." seemed
to be the general view, as expressed in
cloakroom discussion.
Republican leaders refused. today. to
consider shifting the British American
voting amendment under the head of
reservations. Senator Lodge announced
that they would stand out flatly for
amendments and reservations precisely
as written in the majority report Again
there was more or less informal discus
sion among senators in the hope of
reaching compromise. but as word
passed back and forth that the first ac-
tual test Of strength would come. pos
sibly within a week, leaders on both sides
held back to await developments.