New-York tribune., 1919-10-13
Hitchcock's Threat to Force
Deadlock Unless Reserva-
tions Are Diluted Puts
Situation Up in the Air
S'Bitter Enders'' Gaining
Eighteen Senators Said To
Be Committed Against
the Treaty in Any Form
By Carter Field
Ne1r York 1r1Dure
WQshinOt0n Bureau

Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Oct. 12.-The SEN
ate tomorrow enters it's second month
of debate on the peace treaty and the
fourth month Of it's consideration,
counting the time the treaty was be-
fore the Foreign Relations Committee
No one can tell, however, when the
final vote will come nor what the
form of final ratification will be.
There would not be so much doubt
as to the date of the final vote were
it not for the plan of Senator Hitch
cock and other Administration leaders
to force deadlock if they cannot OBJ
tain a modification of the reservations
satisfactory TO them. If this attempt
| is swept aside as promptly as the
Republican leaders expect, tho treaty
will be ratified with from five to ten
reservations, and probably at least one
textual amendment, by the middle of
November at the latest.
1t this attempt of Mr.. Hitchcock
succeeds in holding the treaty before
the Senate after the normal par
lamentary steps have been completed
desperate battle will ensue, the
irreconcilables doing their utmost to
defeat the whole treaty. Senator
Borah has served notice that when all
the amendments and reservations have
been disposed Of he and the other
"bitter- -endcrs" want about ten days
in which to attack the treaty.
"Bitter-Enders' Ranks Grow
There are now at least eighteen
irreconcilables, as compared with two,
Reed and Borah, when the fight opened.
Some of them claim as many as
twenty-eight, but there are eighteen
who virtually are committed, no matter
what amendments or reservations may
be adopted, who will vote against
ratification.
The irreconcilables believe the longer
the fight is kept up the better tho
chances will be for defeating the
whole treaty. For these reasons they
frankly welcome the move of Senator
Hitchcock to force deadlock. They
think it will give them the very delay
which they believe will aid their
cause.
One very important vote is expected
at the end Of this week-that on the
Shantung amendment. This will be
voted down, it is admitted as for
several reasons it is not as strong il
votes as the Johnson amendment Civ
ing the United States an equal vote
with the British Empire in the league
assembly.
Resubmission Objected To
Some Senators who sYmpathize with
the idea of the Shantung amendment,
but who will vote against it because
. they disapprove Of textual amendments
as requiring resubmission of the treaty,
nevertheless will vote for the Johnson
amendment. Senator Lenroot voiced
this viewpoint in declaring the john
son amendment does not require re-
submission. The covenant itself pro-
vides for it's amendment, he contended,
and the principal powers can accept
t;ris amendment if they desire to dc
so without rcsubmitting it.
Sc the gain OF so much strength by
the Johnson amendment that its adop-
ton is now possible does not indicate
tina. this viii remove the objection of
some Senator's to textua amendments
to other parts Of the treaty. It's pas
sage would not add materially to the
strength of other textual amendments
save the Moses amendment, which is
also to the league covenant. Adoption
! Of the johnson amendment, i. is
! thought, would assure adoption of the
Moses amendment which merely car
ries further protection against the
votes Of the British Dor,inions.