Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-09-16
WILSON FORBDS
ANY CHANGES
IN PEACE PACT
Democrats Know They Can
not Win, and Feel
ReSentful

| Washington, Sept. 16. - President
Wilson. encouraged by his own
speeches into believing that it is still
possible to force through the Peace
Treaty without change. has again de-
manded OF his supporters in the Sem
ate that they oppose all reservations
as well as amendments. and make
their fight for the ratification of the
measure, exactly as 1t came from the
Peace Conference.
knowing that such fight Is futile,
and that there are more than enough
votes. several OF them Demoratic, to
adopt reservations sufficiently strong
to protect the independence and
rights OF the American people, the
Democratic leaders. with the excep-
tion of Senator Hitchcock, have been
urging compromise with the Repub-
licans upon the best terms they could
obtain. Just before the President left
washington on his campaigning trip,
he had given his consent to this pro-
gram. Thereupon Senator Simmons
made the announcement in the Sem
ate that it had become obvious the
Treaty could not be ratified without
| changes and that reservations would
! be made.
| The President shifted his position
at the moment when the sentiment
against the Treaty both in the Senate
and throughout the country is mani
testify stronger than 1t ever has been
before. and when the Democratic Sem
ators are freely admitting that it may
be dintcult to obtain ratification,
even with reservations.
1t was. therefore, a resentful Dem
ocratic minority that rallied to the
defense of the Treaty when the docu-
ment was formally taken up for con-
sideration by the Senate yesterday
afternoon.
| Debate Not Impressive
Nothing could have been milder or
less impressive than the opening of
the discussion. Notwithstanding
that 1t Is the first time Treaty has
ever been considered by the Senate
in public sessions. there was no DEM
onstration of unusual interest. either
on the floor or in the galleries.
Senator Lodge moved to take the
Treaty up and make 1t the unfinished ID
business. to which the Senate silently,
but unanimously, consented.
The general discussion is likely to
run along for several days before
there is any test of strength. The
first vote will come upon the johnson
amendment to give the United States
voting strength in the League of Ma
tfons equal that of any other nation.
1t Is conceded that any Senator who
votes against this proposal will have
some explaining to do, and the DEM
ocrats are in a hurry to meet the is
sue. Were they not trying to show
their loyalty to the President, there is
little question that the amendment
would be unanimously adopted.
Senator Lodge again expressed hope
that the Senate would act finally upon
the Treaty within the next four
weeks.
He has. however, wired to Senator
johnson. Of California, to continue
his speaking engagements. This
means that Johnson will not return
to Washington for another three
weeks. and during that time he will
visit all the cities on the Pacific coas,
which the President has visited.
Wilson Loses Support
The kilograms Senato-s are receiy-
ing from the states in which Senators
Johnson and Borah have answered
the President declare that the feeling
is intense against any surrender OF
American rights. Senator Kenyon
has been receiving information from
Iowa which indicates very marke j
TeNei sal OI SenIitltUL III tnaI state.
A few weeks ago Iowa was declared
to be in favor of the Treaty as the
President wants 1t. Now it is de-
cidedly opposed to the Presidents pro-
gram.
In the Senate yesterday afternoon
Senator Hitchcock charged that Sen.
ator Lodge was attempting to delay
consideration of the Treaty by asking
unanimous consent to have the Aus
trian Treaty read to the Senate.
Senator Lodge obtained a copy OF
the Austrian Treaty from the Chica 20
Tribune. the same source from which
the Senate obtained it's first copy OF
the Treaty with Germany. .
New Clauses In Austrian Treaty
The copy of the Austrian Treaty, as
presented to the Senate, contained
some clauses not contained in the
Treaty as hitherto published m this
country.
The military clause provides that
within three months Austria must
demobilize her forces Of 10000.
The penal section provides fol
bringing before military tribunals
persons accused of having committed
acts "in violation of the acts and Gus.
toms OF war"
Reparation provisions require Aus
tria to accept responsibility. with hel
allies, "for causing the loss and oam.
age to which the allied and associat.
ed governments and their nationals
had been subjected by Austria and heI
Allies"
Like the German Treaty, tho amount
of compensation is to be fixed by ar
inter-allied reparations commission.
The financial clauses are similar tc
the German Treaty.