Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-07-24
ASK WHY 1T is NOT GIVEN
SENATE; TAFT LETTERS ON
PACT REACHING SENATORS
Both Demos. and Repubs.
Get Notes-Hope for
an Agreement.

washington July 24s-In-
quiring why the treaty with
France proposing that the Unit
ed States aid that country IN
event of an unprOVOked attack
by German has not been SUBJ
mitted TO the senate, Senator
Brandigee, Republican, Con-
neeticut, read into the record
today, a magazine article quot
ing the test of the document as
requiring that il be submitted
for ratification Aat the same
time7 as the treaty with Ger
many.
A resolution requesting Presi-
dent Wilson to submit to the SEN
ate the treaty by which the United
States would promise to aid France
in the event of an unprovoked at
tack by Germany was offered in the
senate today by Chairman Lodge Of
the foreign relations committee.
Unanimous consent for its imme-
diate consideration was refused by
Senator Robinson, Democrat, Ar
kansas.
Hold It Should Be Submitted.
Senator Lodge offered the meas
ure after a sharp debate during
which Republican spokesmen de-
clared that the terms of the treaty
required that it be submitted to the
senate for ratification at the same
time as the treaty with Germany.
Former President Taft, who mas
written to several Republican SEN
ators and leaders suggesting reser-
vations to the peace treaty which
might be acceptable to both sides.
has opened correspondence on the
subject with prominent Democratic
senator's. Senator Hitchcock or Ne-
braska, one of the leading spokes-
men for the administration In ghe
senate fight, received a letter today
from Mr.. Taft.
Hope for Agreement
Encouraged by the suggestion Of
former President Taft for certain
interpretations in the senate ac-
ceptance of the peace treaty. re
publicans favoring the league idea
so that the League OF Nations ma
be accepted without vital modiEC
tion.
Although Senators McNary,
gon, McCumber, North Dakota
others conditionally favoringl e
league expressed confidence thai I'm
the end. most of the Democrats and
many Republicans would unite m
leaders remained unchanged in
their attitude favoring unreserved
ratification.
First Move for Reservations.
These suggestions, the first TO
come from the former president in
support Of reservations, became
generally known yesterday through
receipt of letters written by Mr..
Taft to VIII II. Hayes. the Repub-
lican national chairman. IL was
learned, however, that he also had
written Senators McNary, McCum-
ber, and others who have favored
the league, and it was understood
the work of framing a definite res
ervation program along the lines
suggested was well under way.
Wilson Knew Of Letters.
President wilson's advisors said
today the president had known for
several days of the existence OF
the letters of former President
Taft suggesting reservations on
the peace treaty. Some of the sem
ators with whom Mr.. Wilson has
conferred recently have been In
communication with Mr.. Taft on
the subject Of reservations and It
was assumed that the former pres
ident's suggestions were discussed
at some OF the White house confer
ences.
Secretary Lansing. who returned
to Washington today from Paris.
had a long conference with the
president at the White house dur
ing the forenoon. discussing the
situation at the peace conference
and other matters.