The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-08-25
MAY REFUSE TO
ACCEPT CHANGE
President Wilson Likely to
Turn Down Any Amend
ments to Peace
Treaty.
TREATY TO GO THROUGH
Wfison Has Full Power to Take
Course and Has Precedent
in Action by
Taft.
IBy L. C. Martin, United Press Stan
Correspondence

WASHINGTON, Aug. 25.-Intima-
ton that President Wilson may re-
fuse to accept as ratification OF
the peace treaty any senate action
which provides either for amend
ment or reservations was conveyed
to senators today
The president might refuse to de-
post notice of ratification at Paris
on behalf Of the United States II
textual amendments or reservations
as part of the resolution of ratifica-
ton are made, it was limited.
The general opinion among those
who discussed the possibility today
was that such action by the presi-
dent would throw the treaty back
into the senate. The senate could
then ratify unqualifedly or refuse to
take any further action, causing a
deadlock.
Republican senators said if such a
thing occurred, they would immedi-
ately propose a resolution declaring
the war with Germany at an end and
ldireoting the president to reestahlish
the consular service throughout Ger
many.
Later commercial treaties could be
made, they said.
Democratic senators, however, de-
clared this course would never be
sanctioned either by majority of
the senate or by the country and
expressed the belief that in event of
such a contingency, the reservation.
ist groups would be forced to back
down and allow the treaty to go
through. Otherwise, the democrats
declared, the United States would be
left out, while other nations enjoyed
the commercial benefits the treaty
would give them.
Senators recognize that President
Wilson has full power to take this
course and precedent to support him.
President Taft refused to accept sen
ate action on an arbitration treaty
with Great Britain which the gov
ernment had accepted and as re-
suit the treaty failed and has never
been revived.
Senatorial discussion of the treaty
probably will not reopen this week
until the pending oil leasing bill is
disposed Of The foreign relations
committee today Is to hear the plea
of Egypt for self determination. 1t
will be voiced at pubifc session by
! former Governor Jos. W. Folk of
Missouri, who has been retained as
the representative in this country Of
Egyptian naticnalists.
Evidence of Good viii.
LONDON, Aug. 25-The Shantung
amendment to the peace treaty pro-
posed by the foreign relations com.
mittee of the United States senate IS
I ,,yiln-no nf will fhon pnnI
sense. the Daily News declared today
IF the amendment is adopted" the
paper said, "it will mean a new treaty
between Germany and America. Ger
many has already ratified the treaty
awarding Shantung to Japan. Her
only course. therefore, would be to re
fuse the American proposal, meanin 8
that the two nations would remain IN
state Of war"
Vote Against Ratification.
rUnited Press Leased Wire Service
i ROME, Aug. 23- The Catholic
group in parliament passed a resolu
ton today against the ratification ot
the peace treaty.
Withdraw in TWO Years.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 25.-With
drawal of the United States from the
league of nations two years after rati
: lfication of the peace treaty, unless al
, nations abolish conscription within
that time, was provided for in bill
i introduced today by Senator Jones
; Washington, republican.
The bill directs the secretary O
state to give immediate notice t
ilearue members Of the United States
intention TO withdraw because twt
years notice is required by th'
league covenant.
The bill also calls for election o
American representatives to th'
council and assembly directly ny al
the people OF the United States, SS'
provides that three members Of tn
assembly, elected for four years
t must be native-born Americans an'
J ct least thirty-five years old.
! Their election is provided at III
: same time and through the san