Arizona republican., 1919-07-25
WITHHOLDING OF FRENCH TREATY
 PLEDGE BREACH
 ASSERTS LODGE
Section of Pact Provides Its Presentation for Senate
 Ratification Same Time
 as Treaty with Germany
TRepublican A. p. Leased wire1

TRepublican A. p. Leased Wire1
 WASHINGTON. July 24.-While ie- publican and democratic senators were feeling out the possibilities of former President Taft's plan for interpreta- tions in the league of nations ratifica- ton the attack on President Wilson's course in concluding peace was re- newed today from new quarter.
 The storm center of the assault was a section of the defensive treaty with France which published texts have shown to provide that it must he pre- sented for senate ratification "at the same time" as the treaty with Ger many. The latter was submitted two weeks ago; the former. brought back from Paris by the president, still is ip his possession.
 In a hour of bitter debate Chairman Lodge of the foreign relations com mittee and Senator Brandegee, repuh- lican. Connecticut accused the prest- dent of violating the pledge of simul- taneous presentation made when he signed the treaty and Senators Hitch cock, Nebraska, and Williams. Missis sippi. democrats. of the committee, re- piled that the charges only renewed an attempt to "hamstring" and dis credit the president.
 Later Chairman Lodge presented a resolution by which the senate would respectfully request that the treaty be submitted so that the senate ceuld consider it fin connection with she treaty of peace with Germany"
 A request for immediate conside.s- tion was blocked by Senator Robinson. democrat. Arkansas, and the resolution probably will come up tomorrow. It carries this quotation from section four of the treaty as published: 'The present treaty will be submitted ! to the senate at the same time as the treaty of Versailles is submitted to the 1 senate for its advice and consent to ratification"
 Withhold Opinions
 The suggestion of MT Taft for six l interpretations in the ratification reso- 1 lution affecting the league covenant | led to no discussion on the senate floor, but held first place in cloak room talk and in many conferences among sen ators of all shades of opinion. Most of them seemed inclined to look warily at the suggested plan and to withhold ] comment for the present Chairman Lodge had nothing to say; neither had Senator Hitchcock. Both however in dicated their positions had been in mo- wise changed by MT. Taft's arguments.
 The group of republicans, who under l the leaderships of Senators McCumber, republican. North Dakota and McNary, l Oregon, are arguing for a middle course, received the former presidents views with enthusiasm although nos committing themselves specifically to 1 his program of interpretations They say the form of any reservations or 1 interpretations still is an open question among them though they hope to see it l settled soon.
 Shantung and the league also were l debated in the senate Senator Robin son presenting the legal claims Of Japan in Shantung peninsula, Senator Fletcher. democrat, Florida, support 1 ing the league. and Senator Lenroot republican, Wisconsin. declaring he could not accept certain features of the covenant without reservations to safeguard the right of independent na- | tional action.
 Suspend Conferences ! President Wilson's conferences with i republican senators at the white house were suspended during the day and 1t was stated tonight that no further in- | vitations had been issued.
 Previous intimations. at the white | house. however, have indicated that sooner or later the president would ask virtually every republican member of the treaty ratifying body to confer with him.
 It was said today that President | Wilson had known of Mir. Taft's in depreciation plan for several days ard it also developed the former president had opened correspondence on the sub ject with the democratic side. It re- i mained conjectural how far these ne gotiations might go toward bringing I some democrats and some republicans together on the middle ground or in- tepretative reservations, but the repub- I hcans who favor the league idea seemed more confident than ever that Tn the end MT. Wilson himself would i be found committed to such a course | Leaders Consult
 I Publication today of MT. Taft's lei ters to Will H. Hays. the republican national chairman, was followed by a telephone conversation between Mir ., Hays who is in Indiana and Senator Lodge. Mir Lodge declined to discusS his talk with the chairman but it was understood the latter called up in re- gard to letters which he said had not yet reached him.
 While Senator Lodge also declined to go into his views on the Taft pro- posal, other senators who have stooi close to him in the treaty fight indi- cated that they considered the develop- ment as a break in the ranks of in. league supporters which eventually would widen to permit radical amend ment of the covenant or even reiecto,, of the entire treaty.
 Following publication of certain in terpretations in the senate acceptance ot the peace treaty suggested to WiIt Il. Hays, republican chairman bsr formes rresident Taft, officers of the league to enforce peace, of which Mir. Taft is head. tonight issued a state ment declaring that "the league and Mr. Taft as well, have been and now are in favor of ratifying the treaty as it stands without reservations or ! amendments
 A meeting of the emergency campaign committee of the league to enforce peace held in New York Tues } day 1t was the unanimous opinion that the league should not suggest any res ervatl0ns or amendments whatever the statement continues. The leagus understands that MT. Taft shares this : opinion. but he. having in view D declaration that would not affect 's 5 validity of the ratification made cer. tain suggestions on the supJect 5 possible future use by the friends ui l the league of nations and in the in- terest Of ratification of the covenant