Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-12-06
REPUBLICANS MAY
REPLY ON TREATY
President Says Responsibility
Has Passed From His
Shoulders.

President Wilson's statement to
Senator Hitchcock that responsibility
for the fate of the peace treaty has
passed from him and rests upon other
shoulders is expected to draw a
counter reply from republican leaders
in the Senate. This, it was said to-
DAY, VIII take the form of statement
that so far as the Senate is concern
ed the treaty IN it's original form is
dead and that action to revive it must
originate with the executive.
The only action involving the ele-
ment of success in resuscitating the
treaty is declared to be withdrawal of
the document and resubmission to the
Senate. with intimation that reserva-
lions would be acceptable. E.,
Mild Reservationfsts' View.
Until this is done the republicans
or the Senate, including the great
number who really are favorable to
some kind of league of nations, are
dead Most emphatic notice has been
given by the mild reservationist" re-
publicans that while they do not love
the idea of league of nations the
less, they love and will insist upon
the Approximation" of the cove
nant OF the league the more. And
that is entirely possible. they hold,
through acceptance of reservations by
the President.
The psychology of the administra-
ton, according to the estimate of SEN
ators who seek to analyze it. is that,
by permitting the treaty to remain
moribund. attention of the country
will be attracted to the situation and,
according to the administrations be-
lief. the country is so intent upon the
United States joining the league that
it will eventually bring pressure to
bear upon the dissenting senators and
compel favorable action.
Business Pressure Hoped For.
1t is thought also that the influence
of financial interests in behalf of
ratification of the treaty will weigh
with republican senators. who. ac-
are susceptible to pressure from big
business"
Furthermore, but far from being
least among the considerations, it is
thought that the administration is
counting upon Germany's expected re-
col to focus attention upon the Sem
ate and that if there is any disturb
ance in Europe. the country will
blame those whom the administration
charges to be responsible for failure
of ratification Of the treaty
cred by the republicans and dis
counted. 1t was said at the Capitol
today that they will not be effective
in disturbing the republicans from
their present position.
There must be acceptance of reser-
vations, it was declared. or there can
be no change in the determination of
more than one-third of the senators
to refuse ratification.
Still Hope for Ratification.
AT the same time. the mild reserva-
tionists and many fthe true friends
of the administration on the demo-
cratic side, are still of opinion that it
will be possible-becauSe it is neces-
sary, from every point of view-to
secure an agreement upon reserxa-
tions and ultimate ratification of the
treaty.
1t was thought today that probably
the President will not recall the treaty
until after Congress reconvenes from
the holiday recess. early in January
In the meantime try out" will
have been given of the plan to let
the country think over the RESPONSE
bility for failure to raitfy, together
with demonstration of whether pres,
sure will be exerted on senators and
it's effect.