New-York tribune., 1919-10-05
administration leaders To
Nj k G last Ditch"
Fight Against Requiring
Approval by the Allies
RepublicansO Oppose Plans
Presidents : Illness tops
Criticism; Conferences
Are Continued by Taft
By Garter Field

WASHINGTON. Oct. 4-Administra-
ton leaders in the peace treaty fight.
It was learned to-day, have decided
'pon last line of defence to which
hey VIII retire aajer the preliminary
klrmlsh against reservations is over.
hey virtually admit they viii lose the
hlrmish
This last ditch is that there must
be no requirements that the reser,a-
lions adopted must be submitted to the
Ashes and approved hy them before
American ratification o the treaty be
comes effective
This proposed submission Of the res.
elyations to the principal Allies, in tho
view Of the Administration leaders,
makes the reservations practically
amendments, and would, in their opin-
en- have tendency to encourage other
nations to make reservations. The mere
fact that other powers had their at
'ention called so Gorcibly to the Amer
can reservations, it was declared,
would set them TO thinkin. rs TO
whether there were any points in the
treaty on which they would like to
make reservations.
This "last ditch will be vigorously
attacked by the Republicans, it was
declared. such Senator'S as Knox, OF
Pennsylvania, and others thinking that
the reservations should certainly be
safeguarded in this particular Sena-
tor Borah does not believe roserva-
tions would be worth anything without
such submission and assent to them by
the principal powers.
Illness TO Stop Criticism
Aside from forcing the Administra-
tion leaders to proceed on their own
initiative and Judgment instead of un-
der the direction o. the President, Mr..
Wilson'S illness apparently viii have
only one effect on the treaty fight. 1t
viii put the brake on criticism OF the
President 1t was said tonight that
his phase OF the situation was embar-
Tassing several Senators who had pre-
pared speeches on Shantung and other
phases Of the treaty, attempting TO
show that the Presidents speeches to
the country We're on important points
at variance with the facts. At least
one speech Is being rewritten because
Of the unwl.iingness Of its author
despite his personal opinions, to attack
Mr. Wilson whlle he is so i'll.
Opponents of the treaty We're much
pleased to-day at a telegram from Ala
bama announcing that the Republican
nominee in the Burnett district, which
Judge Burnett carried last election by
5000 majority, had been beaten by
only 45 votes according to the official
count. The Republican nominee ran
on q straight ant-league eli nations
platform, denouacing the league in
virtually every speech This, it was
pointed out, is the second test of the
popularity OF the league ia Congress
sional district since the treaty fight
started, aud each time backing the
league and the President seemed a
handicap on the Democratic nominee.
Taft Continues Conference
Former President Taft today con-
snued his confereu with Republican
senators Of the "mild reservationist"
group. He had second conference
With Senator McCumber, and talked
With Senator MeNary, who, next to
Mr. McCumber. Is the "mlldesc' Of the
reservation group.
Mr.. Taft IS hopeful Of working out
N even mllder reservation on, Article
\ than the enc proposed Dy Senator
dcCumber. Some irritation is being
caused among the majority Republicans
over the Taft conferences, but so far
as reservations are. concerned they are
quite satisfied tnai Mr.. Taft Viii not
cause any change III the situations
Senator Boraa announced tonight
nat any reports tAat Senator Hiram
". johnson was being called in from
ms trip were absolutely erroneous.
lhere was an agreement before Mr..
Johnson LETT said Mr. Borah, that
ne would be given four dass notice
before his amendment would be voted
on. It was turther agreed that If hc
were needed here, or if this notice
vas to be sent. should send it,
aaye rot sent him any telegram TO
come back, and do not believe that
any one else has lie viii probably
start back TO Washington after his
speech 1T Sat Lake City next Satur-
day night, which was as far as his
.'ineraly had been planned anyway.
That vii bring him here some time
before his amendment is voted on"
johnson Sends Telegram
Senator Borah gave oat the follow
'ng TELEGRAM received to-day from Sen
ator ojnnsou:
After the greatest demonstration I
nave ever seen i'm Los Angeles am