The sun., 1919-09-27
JOHNSON MAKES
DRAMATICPLEA
FOR EQUAL VOTE
Tells Senators No Nation
Should Outrank America
in Leagues Assembly.
STARTS ON PACIFIC TOUR
Experts Dispute Presidents
Power to Execute Threat
to Recall the Treaty.
STARTS ON PACIFIC TOUR
Special Despatch TO THE Sun.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26.- Senator
johnson (Cal) made a dramatic fare
we'll speech to the Senate this after
noon and hurried from the chamber
to railroad train for the West. He
goes directly to California with his
campaign against the peace treaty,
and in his speech told the Senate he
was going to California, Washington.
Oregon, Nevada, Utah and as many
other States as possible to preach his
doctrine of Americanism as against
the internationalism Of the League of
Nations.
About the same hour that Mr.. JohE-
son launched his appeal to the Senate
and outlined his plans for beginning a
national campaign against the league
announcement was made that Presi-
dent Wilson had abandoned the res.
of his trip and would return direct to
Washington, arriving Sunday. Lead
ers Of the opposition to the treaty con-
strued this as confession that the
Presidential trip had been a failure
and that Mr.. Wilson was abandoning
the hustings in the hope that. after
all, he would be able to exert more
influence in Washington in holding
his cohorts in line than from the
stump.
The Presidents speech at Pueblo.
Col, and others made recently In which
he intlmated the purpose, II the treaty Is
essentially modified by. amendment or
to withdraw it and appeal
to the country on the issue of unmodi-
fed ratification, was a chief topic of dis
cussion among Senators.
Eager to Accept the Challenge.
Some commentators insisted that the
President had no serious idea Of such a
course, but was merely threatening It for
effect on the Senate and the country.
Others, including the radical opposition.
welcomed the Presidents ultimatum and
were anxious to accept the challenge.
Their view was expressed by Senator
the Senate floor late in the day. he said
Il hope the statement of the President
In a speech reported in this mornings
papers will be carried into a definite
and that, II amendments or
reservations are adopted, the President
will make the issue before the people on
the Issue of his league or no league. In
my opinion, no amendment and no reser-
40 eri.
tion to American interests and inde-
pendence"
Whether the President has the power,
or will get 1t, to work his own will as to
Withdrawing the treaty Is, however,
questioned by the parliamentary sharps
of the opposition to his views.
The days debate was devoted almost
exclusively to the Johnson amendment,
by which the United States would OBJ
tain as many votes in the league assem-
bly, as are accorded to Great Britain.
At present the British Empire has
six. against one for\the United States.
Mr.. johnson addressed himself to the
necessity that America have equal rep
resentation with any other Power.
Senator Williams (Miss } elaborated
on behalf of the Administration the
Presidents contention that the six votes
Va iHe bIlliSn hHpTt are worth no
more than the one OF the United States.
He supplemented this with a new prop
osition that was regarded as novel, at
least. He declared that, despite the
seemingly plain language of the cove
nant, and the assurances that were given
to the Premier OF Canada, II Is not pos
sible for two of the divisions OF the
British Empire to have Representatives
on the league council at the same time
Mr., Williams boldly maintained this
View, despite the letter signed by Pre-
miers Lloyd George and Clemenceau
and President Wilson, which was given
to Sir Robert Borden. Canadian Premier.
declaring that Canada was eligible for
representation on the council. The vlgor
with which Mr.. Williams advanced this
view indicated that the Administration
forces realize the seriousness of the
charge that has been made.
Denies "Fence Mending" Sally.
When Mr.. johnson rose It was to re-
tort 20 the charge made by Mr.. Williams
that he was going to California 10
''mend political fences" This he de-
MED warmly.
"It was a surmise natural enough for
the Senator TO indulge" said Mr. John
sen. II recognize that the Senator from
Mississippi would be unable to compre-
hend that l am going into California and
every other State that 1 can reach, not
to mend political fences. but because /
believe in the common people of this
land and / am certain that when they,
whom the Senator from Mississippi can
not perhaps wholly understand, hear the
story told OF the League of Nations,
understand what 1t portends. realize the
Coat ati.,,cd o., Q.,nad poo.