The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-19
WEEK TO REVEAL
j. DECISION On
TREATY Of PEACE
Lawrence Asserts Present
Battle in Senate Will End
in Compromise in Which
Each Side Claims Victory.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
The News Selmltar's Special corrs-


spondent.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 19.-This week
will reveal the fate Of the peace treaty
and league Of nations so far as the
United States is concerned. And as has
happened before in legislative battles,
there will be q compromise out at
which each side will claim and declaim
substantial victory.
Reasons not altogether on the sur
face give basis for the foregoing pre-
diction. Yet the controlling factors and
motives are so obvious that one won
ders why the tactics of the occasion
involve whispers and partly councils Of
utmost secrecy. But the truth is
Republicans and Democrats have been
getting some good advice lately, Ana
from quarters outside of Washington
where the Impotence of the people for
action affirmative or negative, but ae-
ton nevertheless has been unmistak-
ably felt.
Report the treaty, do something,
don't give the impression of indecision,
don't waver, go ahead" This is what
the Republicans have been told, and 1t
rather upsets some senatorial plans for
a leisurely long-drawn-out debate with
the slow death process for the league of
nations covenant, but above all the Re-
p%ublicans have been advised amend
the covenant, but don't acquire political
responsibility for killing it; explain the
treaty by Interpretation, but don't send
back to prolonged conference; remem-
her Germany would like to reopen the
treaty"
Word Passed.
To President Wilson and the Demo-
Gratis has the word been passed that a
s~traightout victory with the peace
treaty and league unchanged from the
form in which 1t was signed at Paris
and impossible interpretations are
1 A-A = 49, ~. -aAk. 49, H.aWa
been truthfully represented by pro-
league senators and we must accept
them.
OF course il MI. Wilson accepts inter-
pretations in which he himself is. real
ly in sympathy, such as explanatory
clauses or provisions, his influence is
such that he can obtain acquiescence
by diplomatic note from the other pow
ers, but If the European countries do
not see the full wisconsin strength be-
hind the changes 1t is considered that
for domestic reason some countries may
not be anxious to reopen the treaty
that Is why the president would want
the suggested changes reduced to the
lowest possible number and of a char
acter which it could be argued did not
change the substance, but specied the
limits of American obligation.
To amend the Shantung clause means
prolonged negotiations with Japan and
IA IA NtO OBAAAAOl vi AANiAS Ob1SA - ~
as Japan would no doubt seek to revive
her request for a declaration of racial
equality and might want to revive her
whole status in China The president is
urging the acceptance of the Shantung
settlement as 1t stands expecting the
league of nations to apply an early
corrective or solvent.
The Republicans may adopt a sepa-
rate resolution "disapproving the Shan
tung award and instructing the Ameri-
can representatives at the next meet
ing of the league of nations to work for
a change. This, of course, would have
a powerful moral effect and put Amer
lea on record, though it would mo-
open the treaty negotiations. AS for the
provision hat America must be left
free under artiale 10 to determine
through congress when and how the
United States shall use its armed
forces.
This is something which the presi.
dent said informally to Great Britain
and France whenever the American
constitution was discussed. Also ther'
Is no objection to clauses specificall!
naming the tariff and Immigration a.
essentially domestic questions.
Mr.. Wilson Is on record at Paris II
favor OF safeguarding the Monroe doc
trine and his friends give the impress
sion that he would accept a paragraph
on that point.
gram of the so-called mild reservation
lists on the Republican side Of thu
senate is likely to prevail. Tuesday
conference between President Wilson
and the senate foreign relations com
mittee viii surely bring his out mor'
clearly provided the Interrogation AM
debate on both sides are carried on II
good temper and in a true spirit o
compromise and reconciliation,
Copyright, 1919, by David Lawrence.