Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-08-14

Washington, Aug. I3.-The trend toward
reement on reservations in the peace
eaty reached the stage to-day where
@ group of republican senators advo-
ting reservations received assurances
ch they accepted as guaranteeing
mocratc assent to their program
WORD reached members of the group.
was said, that as soon as they could
edge a score of republican votes for
servatons to the League Of Nations
|venant along the line recently agreed
by seven republican senators, the ad-
nistration forces in the Senate would
willing to line up on that basis for
tifcation of the treaty.
There was an intimation also that the
servationists had reason to believe
eir ranks eventually would include
nator Lodge, chairman of the foreign
lations committee and republican leader
the Senate.
Twenty republicans. it was declared,
ould be enough with the administra-
pn democrats to make up the two
irds necessary for ratification. The
rogram on which it is sought to unite
ese elements contemplate reservations
further protect the Monroe Doctrine,
insure domestic control over domestic
lestions, to amplfy the right of with
laval, and to fortify the power Of Con-
ress to decide questions of I>~ce or war
lder article ten.
DEMOCRATS RECEPTIVE
It was declared the information that
IN,
ward such proposal did not come
ON Senator Hitchcock of Nebraska,
e administration leader, but from a
|urce considered entirely authoritative.
he Nebraska senator himself denied
at he had taken part in any such ne
btiations and said his advocacy of un-
served ratification remained unaltcr-
Mr.. Lodge also denied that he had
ven assent to the proposed resorva
pns
Mea ntime. however, at u meeting of
@ foreign relations committee, Sem
or Hitchcock gave notice that un-
ss the committee completed without
1due delay its consideration of the
eaty, some independent action might
expected on the floor of the Sem
q. In the suggestion for speedy aC-
on, Chairman Lodge concurred and
o upshot of a heated discussion was
announcement that the committed Q
ould begin tomorrow the considera-
on of proposed amendments.
HITCHCOCK WANTS ACTION
although Senator Hitchcock said no
efnite plan for independent Senate action
hd been formulated, it is known that
he possibility of taking the treaty away
om the committee and bringing ii to n
bte has been discussed Informally in
any conferences among senators. Both
be- democrats and the reservation re-
lblicans have been insistent that public
ointment demanded disposition of the
eaty without delay.
Among many senators the days de-
elopments were interpreted as marking
he beginning of the end of the long
Featy fight This prediction was by no
cans unanimous however. Some republi-
IN members of the committee believe
hey. should have more information be-
bre they act and two of them, Senators
phnson of California and Boran of Idaho
rote n letter to Chairman Lodge to-day
sking that General b l-s, Colonel House
nd others connected with the Versailles
egotiations be asked to appear before
he committee.
The general expectation was, however
lat the committee would not change its
an to proceed to a decision on the treaty
nd that outside the committee events
tight shape up even more rapidly. After
hey heard from the democrats to-day the
Fservation republicans began poll to
scertain just how many of their party
ey could count in their negotiations.
II early adjournment of the Senate inter-
Ipted the move, but within a day or two
hey expect to have more definite idea
their strength.
It was asserted there had been several
editions to the group but no senator has
lblicly announced his adherence to the
an since it was agreed on by the origi-
Al seven senators. These seven are SEN
ors McCumbcr, North Dakota; McNary,
RECON- Kellogg, Minnesota; Colt, Rhode
land; Cummins. Iowa; Lenroot, Wscon-
n and Spencer, Missouri
The exact basis for their hope that
enator Lodge will join in the movement
as not revealed by the reservation
aders. 1t was pointed out, however
lat in his address to the Senate yester-
ay he did not plead for rejection of the
ague entirely, but outlined objections
the covenant provisions dealt with by
10 proposed reservations. In one in
ance he spoke of Changing one OF
hese provisions.
Friends of the foreign relations chair.
IAN have declared that he would insist
least on reservations or amendments
with teeth in them" and republican
,embers of the committee who want tC
efeat the league covenant entirely de.
Jared Tonight they were confident Mr.
odge would vote with them in thai pro-
oHal.
The situation in the committee may
brought to n head by the letter oI
enators Johnson and Borah asking
nat further witnesses be called. The
uestion probably will come up to,
orrow Senator Fall. republican, o.
ew Mexico. and Moses, republican
( New Hampshire, also are under
ood to have suggested the calling o.
lore witnesses at to-day's meeting
enator Fall also is said to have de
AIRED the committee could not be ex
ected to pass intelligently on all thu
ae other treaties being negotiated a
ersallles were before it.
Senator Hitchcock told the commit
be that virtually every senator haC
lade up. his mind how he would vote
nd that the country wanted the treaty
lsposed Of one way or another.
If you have some buying to do you have
pine ad-reading to do