New-York tribune., 1919-04-08
Will
Discuss Treaty
Before Session
Lodge Prepares to Summon
Members OF the Foreign
Relations Committee as
soon as. Pact Is Signed
Nec York Tribune
Va dshlnQtOn Luredu


Washington Lureau
WASHINGTON, April Tn antici-
patton of the completion of the peace
treaty with Germany within the next
month, Senator Henry Cabot Lodge.
of Massachusetts, on his return to the
Capitol to-day, began preparations for
the consideration of the covenant by
the Foreign Relations Committee of the
Senate before Congress is reconvened.
1t is probable the hold-over Republi-
can membership Of the Foreign Rela-
tlons Committee will be summoned to
Washington just as soon as it becomes
clear the draft of the treaty has been
completed, and that its consideration by
the committee will commence as soon
as an unofficial text can be secured
from Paris.
I In following this course, Senator
Lodge pointed out to-day, the deliber-
atlons Of the committee would be- en-
tirely informal and preliminary to be
sure, but great deal of time could
be saved by such a discussion of the
text before the Senate is convened
and the Foreign Relations Committee
officially organized to consider its
ratification. There is ample precedent
+ for this programme, Senator Lodge
stated citing the example of the in
formal organization of the Ways and
Means Committee of the House during
recesses of Congress for discussion of
proposed new tariff legislation.
In his dual capacity as chairman of
the Foreign Relations Committee of
the next Senate and Republican leader
Of that body Senator Lodge is charged
with major responsibility for action Of
the Senate in the consideration and
ratification Of the treaty with Germany.
lie views this responsibility most sober
ly IN the light Of recent DEVELOPMENTS
at the Paris conference. and is making
plans to delegate all possible party rou-
tine work and as much Of his other
committee interests, so that he can
devote his attention exclusively to mat
ters coming before the Foreign Rela-
tions Committee
Press dispatches from abroad pre-
dieting the completion of the peace
treaty by Easter are viewed pcssimisti-
cally here by Republican Senators
acquainted with recent Developments
at Paris. 1t is pointed out that. al
though the threatened spread Of Boil
shevism in Europe did halt the pro-
tracted consideration of the league Of
nations as the major subject matter of
the Parls conference and compel the
taking up OF territorial questions.
reparation, indcmnities and other mat
ters essential to the treaty of peace.
there seems 10 be a marked disposition
stlll to postpone the consideration of
some of the most important matters
before the conference.
AS far as press dispatches Indicate
1T is pointed out, there has not been as
yet any progress made in settling the
disposition of the Kiel Canal. which is
viewed by Republican Senator'S on the
Foreign Relations Committee as per-.
haps tn, most important subject mat
ter before the conference The cues
tion of the Near East. involving the
fate of Turkey, the destinies of Ar
menia and Syria and the disposition
OF the Dardenellcs, seems 20 have been
similarly neglected. despite the fact
that no adequate treaty of peace with
Germany can fail TO include express
provisi,-i for their future status.
All these considerations. it is stated,
involve elements of controversy be-
tween the powers sitting at Paris, and
IT is thought improbable that they can
be settled without prolonged consider
alton. In consequence. Republican
Senators are disposed TO conclude that
Paris reports that the peace treaty
Will be completed by Easter are far TOO
optimistic. Perhaps 1t can be accom-
plshed. they say, but it seems most
doubtful, unless The treaty is patched
up document hastcned together to
effect preliminary peace.