Evening star., 1919-12-26
REPUBLICAN MILD
RESERVAT|ON|STS
PUSH HCOMPROM|SE
Threaten to Negotiate With
Democrats if Lodge Re-
jectS Plan.

A break in the peace treaty sltua-
tion and action looking to a compro-
mise on reservations seemed imminent
today, The republican mild reserva /
tionists are dissatisfied with the fall
ure of Senator Lodge. the republlca n
leader. to take steps which they con-
slider adNisa BILE to bring about rati-
fication of the treaty with reServa-
tions. They have determined to no
tify him that the time has come for
action.
If they cannot get some results
they Will make their plans to deal
with the democrats in seeking rati-
fication of the treaty. 1t is their
hope. however. that they will con-
tinue to be able to act with the re
publican leader. They do not con-
slider that any question of the par
liamentary situation with regard to
the treaty should be permitted to
prevent reconsideration or to kill
the pact.
Insist on Reservations.
The mild reservationists, however,
are insisting upon reservations and
in dealing with the democrats. if they
are forced to that point. will so con-
tInue to insist. They are determined
that the peace treaty shall be ratified
with reservations. if that can be ac-
complished and they intend to take
steps that will show to the country
their determination. 1t is their belief
that it will be possible to obtain a
satisfactory compromise from the
democrats, if the republican leader
will act.
VIII Sound Out Democrats.
Whether the administration forces
among the democratic senators will
be willing to accept the reservations
determined upon remains to be seen.
But it is on the cards that the mild
reservationistS will sound out the
democrats, as we'll as their republican
colleagues, before finally drafting the
reservations to be proposed.
/ All hope of a set of reservations
satisfactory to the Senate emanating
from the administration forces seems
to have gone a-glimmering. 1t is be-
lieved that the republican leaders will
be far more apt to accept the reser-
vations worked out by the mild res
ervationists on their own side.
face-deadlock which still exists,
there is considerable talk of com
promise going on around the Capitol.
The mild reServationists in the past
held the control of the situation when
it came to drafting reservations. They
have acted with their own party, and
will continue to act with the republi-
can leaders, unless the republican
leaders refuse to play the game.
Difficulties In the Way.
1t is well understood that one of the
great difficulties in dealing with the
treaty has been the fact that the re-
publican party in the Senate has been
split. in its attitude on the pact. II
mas been 4sgreat problem for the re-
publican leader to keep the party to-
gether. with more than a dozen of the
republicans utterly opposed to ratifi-
cation of the treaty in any shape or
form.
The fear has been for the coming
campaign. 1t is likely that the re-
publican voters are split on the treaty
question very much as are the sena-
tors. That being the case. the ques-
ton has been how far is il possible
to go in agreeing to the treaty with
the league of nations covenant with
OUT bringing about rift in the party
which would insLre the chances OF
success at the polls next year.
Republicans Press for Action.
There is strong pressure being
brought to bear. however. by men
high in the councils of the republican
party to get the treaty out of the
way before the elections. In addition
to this. pressure is being eXerted by
business interests which desire to
have peace definitely established so
that more normal conditions may be
obtained as soon as possible.