The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-14
DEMOCRATS FOR
PACT CHANGE IF
TERMS ARE MET
Senate Group to Support
Republicans if Twenty
Will Give Word.
LODGE MAY LEND AID
Both Sides Keen to Meet
Public Demand for
Quick Action.
WILSON STAND PUZZLES
No IntimatiOn That He Favors
Anything But Unqualified
Acceptance.
WILSON STAND PUZZLES

WASHINGTON, Aug. IS. - The trend
toward agreement on reservations in
tho peace treaty reached the stage to-
day where the group of Republican
Senators advocating reservations re-
ceived assurances which they accepted
as guaranteeing Democratic assent to
their programme.
Word reached members Of the
group. It was said, that as soon as they
could pledge a score Of Republican
votes for reservations to the League OF
Nations covenant along the line re-
Gently agreed on by seven Republican
Senators the Administration forces in
the Senate would be willing to line up
on that basis for ratification OF the
treaty.
There was an intimation also that
the reservationists had reason to be-
lievc their ranks eventually would in
clude Senator Lodge (Mass.). chairman
Of the Foreign Relations Committee
and Republican leader Of the Senate.
Twenty Republicans, 1t was declared.
would be enough. with the Administra-
ton Democrats, to make up the two
thirds necessary for ratification.
The programme on which II is sought
to unite these elements contemplates
reservations further to protect the Mon
roe Doctrine. to insure domestic control
over domestic questions, to amplify the
right Of withdrawal and to fortify the
OF peace or war under Article X
Democrats Receptive.
1t was declared the information that
Democrats were in a receptive mood to-
ward such a proposal did not come from
Senator Hitchcock tNeb.). the Admins
tration leader, but from a source con-
sidered entirely authoritative. The Ne
braska Senator himself denied that he
and said his advocacy of unreserved rat
ifcation remained unaltered. Mr.. Lodge
also denied that he had given assent to
the proposed reservations.
It was asserted there had been sew
eral additions to the group, but no Sem
ator has publicly announced his adher-
ence to the plan since It was agreed
on by the original seven Senator's These
seven are Senators McCumber (North
Dakota). McNary (Oregon), Kellogg
(Minnesota), Colt (Rhode Island). Cum
minis (Iowa), Lenroot (Wisconsin) and
Spencer (Missouri).
The exact basis for their hope that
Senator Lodge will Join in the movement
was not revealed by the reservation
leaders 1t was pointed out. however.
that in his address to the Senate yes
terday he did not plead for rejection Of
the league entirely, but outlined objec-
tons to the covenant provisions dealt
with by the proposed reservations. In
one instance he spoke of Changing one
OF these provisions.
Friends of the foreign relations chair
man have declared that he would insist
at least on reservations or amendments
with teeth in them." and Republican
members Of the committee who want to
defeat the league covenant entirely de-
Lodge would vote with them in that pro-
posal
To Fight over shantung.
Although discussions about reserva-
tions have centered on the league cove
nant. the Shantung provision has not
been lost sight OF by opposition Sena-
tors, and 1t was said to-day that an
amendment covering II would be urged
both in the Committee and In the Sem
ate. 1t is expected that Senator Fall
also will urge an amendment striking
out all reference to American represen-
tation on the various commissions to
be set up TO supervise reconstru stion
in Europe
What amendments or reservations
will be attached to the treaty in COM
mittee Is said by members to depend
largely on Chairman Lodge. The Re
publicans have a majority of three, but
one Of them. Senator McCumber is ex-
pected to vote with the Democrats
against any radical amendment. Should
the chairman also accept a reservation
programme similar to the McCumber-
McNary plan. the anti-amendnent group
would be in the majority.
Estimates OF members as to how long
the committee would require to consider
amendments and reservations differed
widely. Some thought a report might be
possible within two weeks Sections
other than the league covenant are TO be
taken up tomorrow under present plans.
the members having many proposals for
change in the economic and political pro-
visions.
What may have been the part played
by the White House in the negotiations
between Democratic Senators and the
reservation Republicans has not been
revealed. Members OF the latter group
who have talked with President Wilson