New-York tribune., 1919-07-25
New Hampshire Senator
Charges President Aims
to Compel Paris to Ac.
cept Pact as 1t Stands
Hitchcock Assails
Chief Treaty Foes
Are Trying to ''Hamstring
Wilson and Stab Him
in Back,'' He Declares
By Carter Field
NeW York 1r.ow,ss
Washington Buredv

Wdshinot Bureav
WASHINGTON, July 24.~-President
! Wilson is holding back the protective
treaty with France as a club over the
French Chamber of Deputies, to pre-
vent the Chamber adopting radical
amendments to the league of nations,
covenant now under consideration.
Senator George Fl. Moses, member Of
the Foreign Relations Committee.
charged to-day.
Mr.. Moses's assertion followed sew.
eral hours of debate in the Senate, in
which the President was sharply at
tackled by Republican Senator's for fail
| ing to submit the French treaty 10 the
Senate at the same time he submitted
the German peace treaty, although
Section of the French treaty. which
President Wilson signed. stipulatcs
that the two treaties shall be submitted
to the American Senate simultaneously.
Resolution Asks for Treaty
In the course of the debate Senator
Lodge offered resolution requesting
the President to send the French
treaty to the Senate in accordance
with the treaty clause regarding sub
mission. Unanimous consent for the
immediate consideration of the resolu-
tom was refused by Senator Robinson.
Democrat, of Arkansas. The resolu-
ton probably will be called up to-
morrow
in defending the President on tho
floor of the Senate, Senators Hitchcock
and Williams declared this was mere
nagging of the President, and that
actually the two treaties would be con-
sldered together, as the President
would presently" submit the French
treaty.
The reservations to the league Of
nations covenant proposed by former
President Taft and described in letters
from Mr.. Taft to Will H. Hays. chair
man of the Republican National Com
mlttee, were discussed informally a.
great length by Senators on both sides
OF the chamber, but they were not men
toned on the floor of the Senate.
Viewed as an Amendment
Senator Lodge. Senator Moses and
others were of the opinion that the
reservations proposed by Mr. Taft. de-
nying Canada and other British do
mlnlons a seat at the league council
during consideration of questions
which affected them, unless Britain
should relinquish her seat. actually
would be a direct amendment to the
covenant and therefore would reouira
ratification by the other powers.
Administration Leader Hitchcock op-
! posed this view, saying that actually
the Taft reservation on this point added
nothing to the present language Of the
covenant, and, being innocuous, would
not require ratification by the other
powers for the reason that It in no de-
gree changed the meaning.
Reports from Canada, however. to-
day indicated that there was grea. re-
sentiment over this particular ore Of
the proposed Taft reservations. espe-
clally as the ex-President is the first
person to make that point, and IS the
reservations he suggests presumably
were Tor the purpose of getting dis
cordant elements together rather than
TO raise new questions for dispute.
Canadians Indignant
IN Canada, it is declared, there has
been interest in this phase Of the
covenant, and there was some indirna-
ton because Mr.. Taft has stirred what
apparently is going TO be new inc OF
attack on the covenant.
Senator Borah said he believed Mr..
Iafts changed attitude might stimulate
sentiment in favor of changes in the
covenant, as the former Presidents conu
version would affect his followers mora
than it would members of the Senate
"Whea analyzed.' said Sena .or Borah
Mr. iaft's letter says three things-aiu
terpretations are not necessary. evenslf
made they would be ineffective. and
votes must be won over
Mr.. borah did not believe that the
Democrats could obtain the necessary
number OF votes and doubted whether
there were any Republicans who would
vote with the Administration forces.
Pleased by Taft's Stand
Republican Senators frankly were
pleased that Mr.. Taft had changed his
belief that the covenant could he ac-
cepted without change. They expressed
belief, however. that in view of thu
fact that Mr.. Taft's suggestions conld
, not be effected without amending tn,
J covenent, he might now be aligned in
favor Of the reservations for which tn.
Senate is working.
In characterizing Mr.. Wilson'S hold,