Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-12-18
Note of Hope Is Sounded in the
Generally Expressed Senti-
ment That Politics Ought to
Be Forgotten
TALK OF COMPROMISE
Leaders Of Both Parties Seem to Be-
lieve That Treaty Has Been Political
Football Long Enough md Peace II
Most Desirable Thing Now

Washington, Dec. r7.-Expressions that
seemed to point toward reopening OF
the peace treaty fight within a few weeks
were voiced on the Senate floor to-day
when the subject bobbed up in the midst
Of consideration of the railroad bill
The symposium Of views that went into
the record during the brief debate in
cluded opinions from virtually all fac
tions of the divided Senate membership,
but they all struck note of concilia-
ton. Differing widely in their sugges-
tions for solution, they stood together
on the general proposition that politics
ought to be forgotten and that the Senate.
acting independent of executive opinion.
ought to do something promptly to end
suspense and establish a state of peace.
The discussion reflected the trend of
negotiations which have been in prog
ress privately among senators for an
agreement that would get the question
finally out of the way. There was in
creased activity in that direction during
the day. and some Of the leaders pre-
dicted some formal action early in the
new year.
Senator Knox Of Pennsylvania, a leader
in the irreconcilable republican group of
treaty opponents and a member of the
foreign relations committee, brought the
subject to the floor by another attempt
to get before the Senate his two resolu-
tions to establish a state of peace. The
effort was blocked. but he obtained unani-
nous consent to send the measures to
the committee, where he expects to re-
new his request for action.
In the compromise negotiations proceed
ing at private conferences among sena-
tors the principal activity seemed to be
among the democrats. the republican
reservauonists indicating that they
awaited some concrete proposal from the
other side Of the aisle. The democratic
managers are hopeful that such an agree
ment soon would be reported
Among the democrats there was much
discussion of the possible effect of the
compromise negotiations on the contest
between Senator Hitchcock of Nebraska
and Senator Underwood of Alabama for
election as democratic leader of the Sem
ate. The negotiations started yesterday
with the mild reservation republicans
conducted by Senator Cnderwood's sup
porters, but he declared tonight that
while he stood for some sort Of COM
promise he was not in revolt against
President Wilson nor leading any sort OF
opposition to the treaty.
Consideration of the first of Senator
Knoxs resolutions which would ratify
the treaty insofar as establishment of
state of peace is concerned. was
blocked by Senator McKeler, democrat,
Tennessee. while Senator Nelson stopped
the second one. proposing merely to de-
clare that a state OF peace exists.
In view of the attitude of President
Wilson Senator Knox declared the
Senate should proceed in its own way
to secure a formal peace status. working
out the best solution it could at once.
clared by Senator Smith to be about
50-5O' between the two parties.
I'VE will make no progress by crimina-
ton and recrmination." said Senator
Smith. Let us cease trying to find out
who is to blame for the delay and bring
the delay to an end
Senator Myers said both parties had
been making a political football of the
treaty"
THE Senate on its own initiative should
end this confusion and ratify the treaty.
said Senator Myers
Senator Nelson said he would favor
the Knox plan if it were made more
definite so as to declare specifically that
the League of Nations provisions are ex-
pected from approval.
I'm heartily for the treaty with the
Lodge reservations" he said, "but IL we
can't have that will vote for the reso-
luton of SenatoX Knox if 1t clearly ex-
presses that all OF the terms except the
League OF Nations are approved"