Norwich bulletin., 1919-08-25

FORECAST OF ACTION
 ON THE PEACE TREATY

Washington, Aug 24-How far President Wilson may go in. his fight for unqualified senate acceptance of the peace treaty is a subject of in creasing speculation in official and diplomatic circles.
 With the group of reservation re- publicans apparently determined to
 write their qualifications of the league
 of nations covenant into the ratifica-
 ton itself, and with republican leaders
 predicting that the senate will amend
 outright the Shantung provision and
 an interesting set of possibilities pre-
 sent themselves.
 There has been no authoritative ex-
 pression of the presidents probable
 course should the treaty be returned
 reservations written into the ratifica-
 ton. He told the foreign relations
 committee Tuesday, however that he would consider either method of quail
 if1cation as tantamount to reopening
 negotiations with Germany.
 Should such amendments or reserva- tions be inserted. therefore. an event uality which democratic senate leaders deny is likely but which the republi- cans say is certain-the next move would be up to the president. What he would do is a question on which those who have talked with him dis agree; but a discussion of what he would be authorized to do under the law and precedents reveals, a general agreement that several courses would be opend.
 Summed up. these discussions con template that he might take up the question of changes in the treaty by diplomatic. correspondence:. return to Paris and ask that the peace confer a new treaty: send new delegation to reopen negotiations. or pocket the treaty and refuse to proceed further unless the senate receded from it's po- sitfon.
 It is known that the alterna tive of an exchange of diplomatic notes with the principal powers has been sug- gesfed to the president as the most have told him that the treaty never could be ratified as it stands. The as- sent of the smaller nations, these sen- ators asserted, would be obtained easi- l ly once the other members of the five | principal powers have acquiesced. It | Is pointed out that the question of a | to the Colom bian treaty | now is under negotiation by that | method.
 The possibility of MT. Wilson's re- turn to Paris to straighten out the points raised by any senate uualin- | cations is one which some senators say | would be entirely in line with shisi ,ourse tbus far in the peace settle t nent.
 To send an entirely new set of peace | delegates also would be admittedly l within the presidents power. and in | that connection republican senators | have mentioned Senator statement that the pres 1 dent laughingly suggested Senators | Lodge and Knox as possible selec- | ions to negotiate new treaty should | he present one be amended
 That the president might permit | the negotiations to stand in dead | ock by declining to take up with oth- | .r governments any changes suggested | oy the senate involves perhaps the | interesting possibilities of all.
 Administration leaders repeatedly | nave declared that the president alone | vas charged with the negotiation of reaties and that the whole history | ,f treaty making showed that he | ,ouud halt any such negotiation at | my step he desired prior to the ex- change of notifications. The senate hese leaders have asserted, would be | absolutely powerless to interfere, it's authority under the constitution being | imited to giving advice and consent | Q the acts of the executive