The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-09-13
) )
Discussion of Treaty Assumes
q More Practical Com
plexion
POLITICAL PROGRAM HAS
BEEN x WORKED OUT
McC cCumber and !Lenroot Draft
ing Compromise Reserva-
tons

ate*controversy over reservations 10
the league of nations covenant came
today from both Democratic and Re-
publican sources after Republican
Leader Lodge had announced that
the peace treaty would be reported to
the senate Wednesday and probably
taken up for consideration next Mon
day.
Probably the most important devel-
opmefir of the day was a statement to
the senate by Senator Simmons OF
North Carolina, prominent in admin
istratiDn leadership, declaring some
concessions in the way -of reservations
viii have to be made to secure its
ratification Although utterly op-
posing some of the Lodge reserva-
fions, Senator Simmons said he was
suggesting compromise on .'conser-
vasive reservations of an interpreta-
tive character.
Republican senator's continued ef-
forts to compose differences over a
reservation to Article 10 Of the league
covenant. Senator's McCumber, North
Dakota, and Lenroot, Wisconsin, were
said to have drafted substitute reser-
paSfons which were discussed private
il today in lengthy cloak room con-
ferences.
lengthy cloak room conferences.
Senator Poindexter, Republican,
washington, in a two hours address
In the senate today replied to state
nnentss of President Wilson in his
speech making tour. Several Republi-
can senator's made arrangements for
speeches in several Western cities in
reply to the presidnt, while Senator
Harding, Ohio, and others, prepared to
reply soon to Mr.. Wilson from the
senate floor. ...'-2
sReferring to the presidents chal-
lsnge to league opponents to put up
81 Shut up Senator Poindexter said
the Substitute for the; league offered
taby its opponents was the declaration
of ofIndependence and Lincoln's govern
sf1ent, s.by and for the people, In
reply TO the president 81 declaration
,tfAt the league would end use of
American soldiers abroad, Mr.
Hoindexfer called attention to the
sending Of American troops to Siberia
aid the reported plans. to send others
ia Siberia and Armenia.
* with interest centered in the reser-
vation controversy considerable sig
nIfcance was attached by senators to
Ssnaxor Simmons formal statement,
although he disclaimed privately that
hs spoke for{the president. He ex-
blamed that he; gave only his personal
view of the senate situation and this
EXPLANATION was supported by Sena-
fof Hitchcock, Nebraska, minority
leader of the foreign relations. COM
nsftfee, who said that President Will
sons position on reservations, even OF
n.mild'' variety, had not yet been
made known Republican leaders,
however, hailed Senator Simmons
statement as a frank confession that
the treaty can not be ratified without
reservations.
-. ~ am ini favor of and will gladly
vote for the treaty and the league
covenant as it was originally present
ed BY the president. without amend
ment or reservation, said he. i
agree with the president :. that it
contains nothing that would jeopar-
die American interests. 1t should
be ratified without further delay.
However, after a thorough study
OF the situation in the senate L am
convinced that some concessions in
the way Of reservations will have to
De made to secure its ratification and
SO believing have recently discussed
with a number Of my colleagues the
adyisabiiity of reaching some COM
promise between those who are in
favor. Of the treaty without reserva-
ffons and those who are in favor Of
it with conservative reservations Of
an interpretative character.
II am utterly opposed, however, to
the reservations proposed by the for
eigY1 relations committee. Some of
these reservations would radically
change the scope and character of the
instrument emasculating some of the
main provisions of the league and
which would call for reconsideration
OF the peace conference
X
.sis II ----- -----
SOUTH CAROLINA