The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-24
SENATE REBUFF
AMAZES WILSON
President Renews Request for
Approval of Reparations
Commissioner.
G. O. P. OPPONENTS FIRM
Indignation Grows at Presi-
dents Attitude Of Secrecy
Over Treaty.
G. 0. P. OPPONENTS FIRM
Specto, Despufch TO THE SrN.

Special Despdtch TO THE srN.
WASHINGTON. July 23-President
Wilson was amazed at the action Of the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee
in refusing to assure him in advance
that 1t would approve his appointment
Of an American member Of the Repa-
rations Commission provided for in
the Treaty of Versailles.
Senators who called on him to-day
brought the information to the Capitol
completely by surprise at the commit
tees action. He had apparently antic-
ipated that his request would find
ready and unquestioning acquiescence.
The possibility of a new fight be-
tween the Executive and the Senate
suddenly doomed above very near
horizon. The word came that the
President was writing another letter
to Senator Lodge (Mass.), chairman Of
the committee, renewing and more
strongly urging his request. The let
ter had not been received at a late
hour this afternoon, but Mr.. Lodge
had been informed that he was to re-
ceive It.
The attitude of the Republican leaders
in view OF this new insistence by the
President was not promising. IF the
President wants to make fight on this
matter he will be welcome. and he will
wait a long time before he gets his
measure" declared one OF the men who
decide such affairs.
Action Arouses Opposftion.
1T would have been easy enough to
get this appointment provided for II II
had been done in the right way II a
measure had been brought in, quite
unrelated to the treaty, as soon as the
peace negotiations had proceeded far
enough TO make evident that a repara-
tions commission would be necessary
it would have passed without delay or
question. But things are dlnerent
now"
The prompt manifestation OF surprise
by the President and OF resentment in
the Senate over this incident indicates
to what extent feeling has been grow
ing between the two branches Of the
treaty making power.
The Senate opposition TO the treaty
was to-day frankly expecting that the
great mass OF Information about the
treaty which has been asked for would
never be forwarded. and in this state of
affairs there was strong suggestion OF
q deadlock between President and Sem
ate, with the President continuing to
ignore requests for the documents and
the Senate refusing to clear the way
for American participation in the Re-
paration Commissions work.
Meanwhile the Foreign Relations
Committee continued the study of the
treaty without further outbreak OF dis
cussion about the Presidents failure to
forward the documents that are No much
desired Indignation was deeper than
ever to-day at the Administration atti-
tude. which makes It impossible for
Senators to get data winch they con-
slider now are properly the business OF
the Senate rather than Of the Execu-
tive.
The President continued his interviews
with Republican Senators to-day regard
ing the treaty. He talked with Sena-
tors Mclean (Conn). Newberry mich },
Iage (Nt) and Sterling (S. d. with
out changing the attitude of any one
CT them.
/ Senator Norris (Neb) gave out the
letter which he had written to the Presi-
dent wherein he refused an invitation
for a conference with the President on
Monday OF this week.
81 desired to avoid any publicity re-
/ garding my declination OF the Pres dent s
/ invitation to discuss with. him at the
I White House the peace treaty" said
( Senator Norris. notwithstanding this
/ however, the Information has been OBJ
! tained and given wide publicity and
! am therefore. with the consent Of the
Presidents private secretary. giving @
/ copy OF my decllnation TO the public"
Norris's Letter TO Wilson.
Mr., Norris's letter to President Wilson
! follows:
Dear Mr.. President: ! acknowl-
edge receipt OF your letter request
! ing me to come to the White House
! TO discuss with you the provisions
! OF the peace treaty with Germany.
AN unwritten law. universally re-
/ spected, prohibits members OF Con-
gress from giving publicity to infor-
! nation obtained and conversations
taking place at conferences such as
you propose, Our conversation at
such conference would undoubt-
| edly cover many phases OF the sub
ject with which am already
somewhat familiar. and therefore in
! any future public discussion of the
subject. either in the Senate or else
where, l might find myself embar-
| rassed In the use OF information I
already possess. or that by indepen-
dent investigation / may be able to
obtain.
Moreover, II is not fair to you
that your valuable time should be
taken up in going over with each
individual Senator n lengthy argu-
ment in favor OF the ratification OF
the treaty without amendment
hope. therefore, YOU will pardon
when ! most respectfully suggest that
you follow the method prescribed In
the Constitution In communicating TO
the Senate any information that In
your wisdom is deemed advisable.
Such course would not only con-
serve your time and energy, but
would give to all our countrymen as