The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-07-15

FORCES rests with congress. III tnat IL
the case. number OF men who have
been opposed TO the league because
| of Article ten would like to say so as
| explicitly in the ratifying resolution
as the president says It In informal
conversation.
No Ground for supposltlon.
Nor is there much ground for the
supposition that because Mr.. Wilson, as
is his custom at the outset OF every
legislative fight, gives an impression OF
uncompromising opposition TO amend
ment. that he will object ultimately to
the written Interpretation. OF treaty pro-
visions which is. after all. his oral in
depreciation.
The president has explained in con-
versation enough about the mooted pro-
visions to make II possible TO phrase
reservations to which he could not con-
sistently object. Some OF those who
have studied his methods in dealing
with congress say he always asks at the
beginning for the mqximum--no amend
ment-but accepts changes in the end.
He has intimated that he did. not OBJ
ject to innocuous changes. The ques-
ton of what is or is not innocuous may
always remain mooted when once the
controversy is over and the reservations
are accepted. Indeed, 1t Is confidently
believed that If the president accepts
the reservations made by the senate, the
allied powers will do the same.
Centers ABOUT ArticIe Ten.
Opposition centers ABOUT Article ten
and the phraseology of the clause re-
ferring to the Monroe doctrine. Lam
guage protecting the latter more spe-
cifically is not going to cause as much
of rumpus as has been supposed. De-
bate on Article ten will be complex.
But reservation equivalent to stating
that the powers of the American con-
gress to determine what the words lex
ternal aggression" mean under all cir
cumstances, Is very probable.
Discussion about that two-thirdS vote
requirement for amendments to the
ratifying resolution is continuing. The
senate rules are explicit-a majority
vote Is all that is necessary to amend.
But Mr.. Wilson is said to have had
In mind possible situation in which
the republicans would be unable to
muster a two-thirds vote to pass rati-
flying resolution containing Objectionable
reservations because the democrats be-
ing about forty-six strong behind the
president could block such a move by
various tactics.
Wide Contrast In Two Scenes.
Mr.. Wilson's speech and the reception
he got in the senate were still the talk
on Capitol Hill. 1t was an undramatic
scene-compared to the stirring and
tense moments when congress was
asked to declare war. The senate
Wilson made no Evolutionary effort. He
read simply, plainly. and without special
emphasis on any portion of his address.
He looked tired as If weighed down by
his tremendous labors. Cheers came
from the galleries in abundance. Demo-
Gratis shouted, too. Republicans were
conspicuously silent except for Senator
McOumber. friend of the league.
Senator LaFollette came in late as
usual--he always strolls in after every
body is seated. The senate looked in
terested, but the length of the speech
and the sultry temperature caused much
fidgeting. Senator Lodge listened at
tentively. Senator Borah smiled as Mr..
Wilson read, thinking perhaps, of an
appropriate answer. Senator Watson,
of Indiana. sat with his chair tilted
back. Other senator's lounged COM
fortably in their seats. The speech was
not interrupted. Mr.. Wilson gave no
opportunity for applause introducing no
rhetorical effect or pauses. Up in the
galleries the French ambassador beamed
with satisfaction as Mr. Wilson referred
to the defensive agreement with France.
Mrs. Wilson and Prof Stockton Arson,
brother of the presidents first wife, sat
together in the same gallery where the
presidential party was grouped. The
Ahyssinian delegates in their black
robes. senators in their palm beach
suits. cabinet ministers in front seats,
tives, including Uncle Joe Cannon in the
back row, gave the scene an interest
ing though hardly impressive setting.
It was a distinctly different atmosphere
from that in which war was declared.
1t was setting of midsummer leisure
rather than underlying tension or emo
ton. 1t was indeed a matter of fact
affair, quiet, almost solemn, but his
torically an anticimax, for much of
what Mr.. Wilson said had been heard
before in senate debates or in news
paper cablegrams from abroad. The
president probably will be much more
interesting when he goes on the stump,
for the staid, dignifled senate received
the peace treaty, league of nations and
all. as 1t might receive an appropriation
bill or any other piece of controversial
legislation.
When It Was All Over.
When it was all over, senators gath
cred in groups and commented among
themselves-most of it not for publica-
ton. Analysis of these informal com
| ments justified the prediction that the
treaty and league will he ratified and
that the reservations will prove a COM
promise which will not vitality change
the wording of the peace treaty but
which will to some extent define Amerl-
can obligations on which doubts have
been raised