The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-11-19

Thus the lines we're sharply drawn
when the Senate went into session at
noon to consider final ratification and
possibly bring to an end to-day the
long fight over the treaty
just before the Senate convened,
while the Democratic senators were
meeting, Republican Leader Lodge held
a conference with Will H. Hays, chair
man of the Republican national com
mittee.
The decision of Democratic friends
of the treaty to vote against ratifica.
tion resolution containing the Lodge
reservations was affirmed at the con-
ference of Democrats. Senator Hitch
cock said enough Democrats to insure
its defeat had agreed to vote against
the Lodge resolution,
No compromise plan was drafted by
the Democrats, but it was suggested
that after the prospective defeat of the
Lodge reservation, committee OF
Democrats would be appointed to con
fer with the Republicans to that end
Immediately the Senate met, Senator
i dge formally presented the resolu-
tion Of ratification containing the Is
reservations adopted by majority Of
the Senate
Although the Democrat stand was
declared in Republican quarters to have
diminished the chances of compro.
mise, it was learned that proposal tc
I,1 4 l..
committee, so that the reservations
would not have to have affirmative ac.
ceptance by the other powers had been
under serious consideration by the Re.
publican leaders.
1t was understood that the Republi.
cans had manifested willingness tC
insert provision by which the reser-
vations could be accepted by the other
powers by their merely mot objectine
to" them.
At the outset Senator Lodge asked
unanimous consent for an immediate
vote on unqualified ratification Ad.
ministration Leader Hitchcock said the
Democrats preferred to wait until the
Lodge resolution had been voted on
Senator Lodge then withdrew his re
quest and the debate on the Lodge
resolution began
Wilson's Letter.
The presidents letter, addressed tt
Senator Hitchcock and dated yester
day, follows;
"My Dear Senator-You were gooC
enough to bring me word that the Dem
ocratic senators supporting the treaty
expected to held conference betweeI
the final votes on the Lodge resolution
of ratification and that they would b.
glad to receive a word of counsel from
me.
81 should hesitate to offer it in an,
detail, but / assume that the senators
only desire my judgment upon the all
important question of the final vote OF
the resolution containing the many
reservations of Senator Lodge. On tina
] cannot hesitate, for in my opinion
the resolution in that form does no
provide for ratification, but rather fo
the notification of the treaty ! sin
cerely hope that the friends and sup
porters OF the treaty will vote agains
the Lodge resolution of ratification
u understand that the door win thei
probably be open for genuine resou
tion Of ratification,
81 trust that all true friends of th
treaty will refuse to support the Lodg
resolution.
Cordially and sincerely yours,
Woodrow Wilson" "
Lodges Statement.
Republican Leader Lodge, in a form
al statement, predicted that the Sen
ate would mot obey the orders 0
President Wilson with regard to tn
treaty.
THE Senate has equal power and re
sponsibiity with the president in tn
making Of treaties said Senate
Lodge "Thcy will not, in my opinion
obey the orders of the president, VIII
undertakes TO command the Senate t
ratify the treaty without the reserva
tions, adopted By a large majority o
the Senate which Americanize it ant
make it safe for the United States
What he commands will not, in nj,
judgment, be done.