Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-07-04
REPUBLICAN SENATORS ABOUT READY
Tn YEln

y
pondent of the Baltimore Sun, sends
to that paper of the Goth ultimo, the
following interesting statement of
the status of Republican opposition
to the League of Nations in the Sen
ate:
Republican Senator's are about to
run UP the white flag announcing
that they have surrendered their
fight against the treaty of peace and
the proposed league of nations; that
they will organize no further oppo-
sition TO these instruments as such,
but that they will stand upon GER
tain reservations and amendments
outlined to them by former Senator
Root, Of New York.
This is the net result Of the first
days conference between Chairman
Will II. Hays, of the Republican
National Committee, and group of
leading Republican Senator's, in
Guiding Senator's Lodge and Knox.
Mr.. Hays, it is learned, vouchSafed
some very friendly but firm advice
to his party associates upon the
question of peace policies, and this
advice, it S added, will be followed
by the partisan leaders in the sem
ate.
The exact language used by Mr..
Hays in his series of conferences to-
day is known only TO the gentlemen
who consulted with him, but il is
known in a general way that he re-
CARDS Il party fight on the league of
nations as suicidal; that he has
learned from intimate personal
touch that the country wants to give
the icaSue of nations Il trial, and
that the country quite fully UNDER
stands tina: the sole purpose of the
Knox resolution for the separation
OF the league from the peace treaty,
was TO kill the covenant.
1t may be safely assumed. more
over, that when Mr.. Hays arrived in
Washington with these convictions
that he gave, his party friends the
full penciit of them and probably
did 1t in very plain terms. 1t is said
that he is given to plain speech
when occasion arises and certainly
he did not mincc words when he de-
cllned to accept the Cummings chal-
lcnge that the league of nations be
made Il party issue. That refusal,
contained in Hays Chicago speech
had Earring effect upon the Repub-
llcan leaders i'm the Senate.
1t resulted first, in the emergency
call sent out for former Senator
Root; then in the sudden halt in the
bitter fight which had been launch
ca by the Knox speech, and finally,
in an invitation 10 Mr.. Hays to come
to Washington himself for a family
review Of the whole situation.
According to the best information
tonight, the Republican leaders in
the Senate, acting upon the advice
of MIR. Root and Mr.. Hays, will make
no further effort to pass the Knox
resolutions; will seek no means of
divorcing the league covenant from
the peace treaty, and will make no
general onslaught upon the treaty
On the contrary, they will insist up
on certain amendments TO the
league. particularly amendments to
section 10. If they fail TO muster
enough votes actually TO amend the
treaty, they will devote their cncr-
Sics TO the adoption of Il resolution
OF reservation which will give the
Senatc'S Interpretation of the dis
putcd points in the covenant.
This program, of course, cannot
be followed without certain very
embarrassing consequences. In the
first place il means that the Kepubli-
can organized opposition virtually
has 10 throw up its hands. In the
next place, il means that more than
one eminent and indignant states
man is left out on a limb. Senator
Borah, for example, who has threat
cncd to bolt and form new party
If the league were not made O parti-
san issue, will have some uncomfor-
table hours deciding upon a course
Senator Johnson, Of California, the
Borah-KenyouLa Toilette candi-
date for the Presidency, has gone
forth upon a speaking campaign
against the league. He might feel a
measure OF discomforturc if he finds
himself deserted by his unfaithful
allies. And Senator Knox himself
will find no personal satisfaction i'm
contemplating the wreck of the
elaborate structure which he had
reared.
But sometimes there arc sacrifices
which must be made for the good of
~ party, and from what could be
gathered today Of Mr. Hays talk
with his friends the good of the Re-
publican party is very much in
volved in the present situation. He
feels, il is said, that disaster would