The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-11-12


regular order OF business and, having
voted down the last of the long list Of
proposed amendments began work on
the reservations presented by the for
eign relations committee, said to havf
the backing OF a majority Of the SEN
ators. When a recess was taken until
tomorrow the first Of the Is commit
tee proposals had not yet come to a
vote.
The reservations got before the sem
ate only after point Of order against
them had been overruled by Vice Pres
ident Marshall, who declared no tech
nicalities Of the senate rule would be
permitted to stand in the way of the
right of the senate majority to frame
its ratification Of the treaty as
chose. The ruling which followed an
hour Of bitter argument, was accept
ed as containing significant declara-
fion of policy with respect to the par
liamentary tangle developing around
the. treaty.
Leaders were as much at sea as ev-
er tonight over the date when a final
vote on the treaty might be reached,
buttthey declared every effort would
be made to hasten the reservation de-
bate. Democratic senator's, at an
evening conference, threshed over the
whole situation and sought some
method of bringing 'the long fight
quickly to a conclusion.
MeaEtime White House officials re-
veaIed that plans were on foot for an
early conference between President
Wilson and Senator Hitchc ock of Ne
traska, the Democratic leader, regard
ing the senate situation. 1t was said
at: the capitol tonight, however, that
no. such appointment yet had been
made or requested by Mr.. Hitchcock,
who thought several days might
elapse before the reservation fight
became acute.
The furry over an immediate vote
on unreserved ratification came just
after the senate had voted down, 81 to
16. the amendment by Senator Gore,
Democrat, Oklahoma, to make any
declaration of war under the league
Of nations contingent upon a popular
referendum. Two more amendments
fad been prepared by Senator Borah,
Republican, Idaho, but he decided to
withhold them and offer them later as
reservations. That cleared away the
last of the amendments, and Senator
Lodge of Massachusetts,, the Republi-
c:in leader. called up the commit
tee reservations. Immediate objection
came from, the administration forces.
Senator Underwood. Democrat Ala
ba1na, declaring the proposals could
net properly be considered until the
resolution Of ratification came before
the senate. He was assailing the Re
publicans for delay and charging that
their methods we're designed to pre-
vent direct vote on the question of
ursrese,ved ratification when Senator
Lodge asked:
--If the senator wants to hasten ac-
ton, why doesn't he ask for a vote
right row on ratification without re-
servations,"
:. "Tll do it" returned Senator I'm
Gerwood, and he did.
The move brought half dozen SEN
ators to their feet and in the maneuv-.
ering which followed the chamber
presented scene Of continuous con-
fusion Senator Hitchcock. ..rst got
the floor to present formally unani-
nous consent agreement for a vote,
and although the Republican manag-
ers interposed no objection, failed
to. meet the approval of some sensa-
ors on that side and sharp debate
enslled.
Senator Fall Republican, New
Mexico, objected that the parliamen-
tary situation would not permit such
vote, since the senate was acting
as a committee of the whole. Senator
Hitchcock then modified the request
to permit the session as committee
of the whole 20 be terminated. but
Senator Lenroot. Republican. asked
that a provision be included to per
nit later ratification vote that
should include reservations. Then
Senator Jones. Republican. Washing
ton, ended the discussion by objecting
directly to the whole arrangement
Eaving failed to secure unanimous
consent. Senator Hitchcock then made
a motion to the same effect. but Sen
ator Lodge called attention that his
motion to take up reservations was
the pending business. After the vice
president had overruled Senator I'm
derwoc as point Of order. the rese--
vations at last were formally laid be-
fore the senate.
The hrst paragraph of the reserva-
ton group the only part considered
today, recites that the reservations
must be accepted by three OF the 9th
er four great powers 10 make the