The sun., 1919-03-29
SENATE MYSTIFIED 2
BY LEAGUE RUMORS
Men Who Must Ratify Cove
nant Unable to Get De-
tails Of Progress
HIRAM JOHNSON ANGRY
Wants to Know Real Status Of
Monroe Doctrine and Like
Amendments.
HIRAM JOHNSON ANGRY

Special DsspofcA 10 Tn sus.
WAsHINoroN. March ss.--rhe Senate
according TO members still IN Washing
ton. Is rnystiAed by developments Of tn,
last twenty-four hours at the Pari
Seace Conference. They do not know
at this hour whether the Monroe Doc
trine 10 to b specifically guarded ant
guaranteed by the league covenant. nov
being revised, or whether II y to 10 b,
the board. They do not know whether
the league covenant 10 to BE- 90 france
that there will be no infringement o
American sovereignty or whether It will
be seriously 3eopardised-
The one conclusion upon which the,
agree 10 this: There il strong opposition
TO the shelving OF the Monroe Doctrine
and the other amendments upon which
tthe Senate has made It plain that It will
insist Seine Of the Senators expires,
Indignation that the American Senate
the body equally powerful with the Eek.
Scutive In the formation ana acceptance
icf international Instruments Of ever,
Sdiscussions Of the Peace Conference
Senator johnson (Cal) was particu.
larly bitter on this account to-day. He
said II was outrageous that the real
situation In Paris was carefully guarded
end kept away from the knowledge OF
the Senate. Mr.. johnson and other SEN
letors want to know exactly whether the
Monroe Doctrine 10 to be specifically
isafsguarded; II It Is not the exact scope
and extent OF the opposition In the
Peace Conference whether American
nom encroschment. and II II Is not for
what reasons.
Disarmament Also vasue.
4. These Senators have been Informed By
published cablegrams that the question
81 Limitation of ornaments Is to be
limited to Recommendations" on the
subject. not orders from the executive
council of the proposed league Frankly
they do not know how much faith to
put In that report as II has been their
experience to have these Agreements"
Ct the conference suddenly overturned
completely.
They recognise that In the Monroe
Doctrine and its retention the Peace
Conference has hit the greatest stumbling
block probably that 1t win encounter
They realise. they admitted to-day. that
IL impossible TO have a league such
- the President wants and still leave
the Monroe Doctrine unimpaired. How
ever. they have chosen to stand by the
preservation OF tho Monroe Doctrine,
ana the league covenant. II It is to
Dc accepted by the Senate. must be SO
drawn that any conflict with Ameri-
can control Of the Western Hemisphere
Is done away with entirely. ~
The Senate Is watching with great In
terest the developments in England in
connection with the league covenant dis
missions They are confident that 4he
British statesmen believe that the blend.
Ing OF the Monroe Doctrine into the
league covenant In the form the Presi-
dent wants 1t is a problem impossible
OF solution. They have n strong sus-
piclon that some OF the British states
men are juggling with this problem with
the ultimate idea OF procuring advan-
tages for Great Britain which other ma
lions will not possess.
Imperial Preference Promised.
II has not escaped the Senate that
Andrew Bonar Law In the British House
Of Commons asserted that Imperial pref
prence" 10 to be put into effect when
peace Is esta blished. This means a spe-
cfal arrangement between Great Britain
and her colonies whereby Australia can
sell mutton to Great Britain below
American prices. Britain will sell goods,
particularly linen. 20 Canada below
American prices, and so.
British support of the Monroe Doc
trine plan. It was pointed out would
mean that Great Britain would be In po-
sition to say that as long as II does not
question the American right to mainte-
nance OF the Monroe Doctrine the United
States should not question British rights
TO special interests and agreements be-
tween the components OF the British
Empire
It IL thought here too that Japan is
favorins the American attitude on the
Monroe Doctrine as q me ans OF gaining
advantage for herself in other directions.
Whatever the inside" Developments
AZ the Peace Conference, the Senate real
ises fully that no protest coming from
individual members-the only protest
possible with Congress out OF session
win make any change In the situation.
Senators realize fully that they will have
70 wait until Congress Is called together
and the league covenant presented to II
before It can accomplish more than has
been done already to safeguard America
and American rights.
VIII withhold Judgment.
Unofficial assurances OF this and that
Neing considered or adopted
have mfdsN no changes In the~H nate
lineup according to Senators qualified to
speak for their colleagues. There ib a
drm conviction Mt the Capitol that many
OF the suggested amendments are merely
feelers to test out American sentiment,
and the Senate leaders are determined
20 withhold their judgment on the league
covenant as q whole until It Is laid be-
fore them for ratification.
So certain are some OF the Senators
that there has been no waver ng In the
ranks of opponents OF the Presidents
IDEAS on the proposed league that It was
privately stated by some Senators and
publicly by one that nine-tenths of the
amen dments suggested by Senator's
Lodge tMass.). Knox (Pa.) and others
would be Incorporated In the covenant
before II received Senatorial approval
Mccormick (In) openly
made this assertion. IT is a matter of
Indifference to the Senate whether these
are made in Paris or In the
Senate itself.
ARMY EXPLOSION INJURIES Is.