The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1919-07-31
WILSON TO SPEAK
ON RESERVATION
p-aa;dent's Statement Is Next Import
ant Moye-Republicans Insist That
Peace Treaty Cannot Be Ratified
without Concessions.

washington, July 26.-The next i'm
nortant move in the Senate disagree
lent over reservations to the peace
treaty. is expected to come from Presi-
dent Wilson.
Having canvassed the Senate situa-
ton in his conferences with so Re
n,,blican senator's, all of whom are
sa;d TO have told him they would sup
nort certain reservations, it is expect
"a the president soon will make known
definitely his attitude toward such a
co11rse. 1t was indicated at the White
House today that expression of his
views on the subject might not await
his speaking tour to begin two weeks
hence. but might be embodied in a pub
lie statement within the next few days.
This aroused great interest among
Republican senator's, tho they said it
was not wholly unexpected. Several
Republicans have told Mr.. Wilson the
treaty never could be ratified without
interpretative qualifications, and yes
terday at the suggestion of Republic
an Leader Lodge, a tentative draft of
reservations indicating in general
way the trend of opinion among many
Republican senator's was laid before
the president by Senator Spencer, Re-
publican, Missouri. The leaders for
reservations say it is now the presi-
dents move.
The group of Republicans who under
the lead of Senator's McCumber, North
Dakota, and McNary, Oregon, are
working on reservation program de-
signed to clarity the League of Ma
tons covenant without vitality weaken
ing it, believe the president will an
nounce his acceptance of such a
course and that quick ratification of
the treaty will ensue. In their talks
with Mr.. Wilson they say he has indi-
Gated no radical antagonism to Senate
qualifications. his only fear being the
whole subject might be thrown back
into renegotiation.
Supporters DO Not Agree.
The presidents Democratic support
ers in the Senate, however, predict
that he viii assert himself for unquali-
fed ratification and then go to the
country in an effort to fortify public
sentiment behind that stand.
The president saw no Republican
senators today, but in letter to Mr..
Lodge replied to inquiries about the
treaty sent to the White House by the
Foreign Relations Committee. The
letter also said Mr.. Wilson was pre-
pairing to send the committee papers
they had asked for in connection with
the Versailles negotiations.
Today Chairman Lodge discussed
some features of the treaty with Sec
rotary Lansing. Mr.. Lodge is said to
have suggested that the committee
have the benefit of expert advice on
some sections, particularly those deal
ing with alien enemy property. 1t is
expected that Bradley Palmer and 9TH
ers who advised the American delega-
tion at Versailles on these matters,
will appear before the committee next
week
In the opinion of many Republican
senators, the lines to be drawn in the
reservation controversy rest entirely
with the president. They say if he
gives his assent to a reservation pro-
gram designed to further safeguard
national interests they quickly can
come to such an agreement as to in
sure ratification of the treaty. But if
he takes an uncompromising stand for
unreserved ratification and then by
public speeches attempts to discredit
the senator's who are holding out
against it, the opposition leaders look
for long and bitter fight.