Evening star., 1919-09-22
PACT AMENDMENTS
FATE IS MAIN TOPIC
Proposal to EquaIize U. S.
Great Britain Vote in League
Near Decision.
CLOSE CONTEST FORECAST

All interest at the Capitol in con-
Aection with the league of nations
centered today in the fate of the john
son amendment to the covenant-the
textual amendment equalizing the
representation Of the United States
with Great Britain in the league. The
amendment is expected to come to a
vote before the end of this week. The
vote upon 1t Is close, the victory
claimed by both opponents and pro-
ponentS.
The possibility Of the vote being a
tie and Vice President Marshall cast
ing the deciding vote with the ad-
nainistration and against the amend
npent was suggested.
>. Both sides to the fight have been
making the closest kind of polls, with
conflicting results announced. Sena-
tor Hitchcock. in command Of the
administration forces. claims a ma
jority against the amendment of from
two to four votes. The republican ma
jority of the committee on foreign re-
lations claim the amendment will be
adopted by majority of two to three.
Sven Votes Doubtful,
The fact is that the prospective
vote is too close for comfort for either
side. and it is suspected that both
sides are doing q little whistltng in
the graveyard" There are seven
votes. three democrats and four re-
ofilcial polls as doubtful on the final
vote on the Johnson amendment.
They are said to be Senators Ash
urst, Walsh Of Massachusetts, and
Smith Of Georgia. democrats. and
> Senators Lenroot. cummins. Spencer
nd 81 a rAnuhlfr.
ans. While 1t Is said that no one is
entitled to speak for these senators
or commit them either way, their
possible vote is subject OF current
gossip.
Trend Of Talk Discussed.
The unofficial trend of the talk is
that Senator Walsh, democrat. who
10 q firm supporter of the adminis-
tration. Is being urged by his Irish
constituency to stand hrm for the
johnson amendment. Senator Smith
of Georgia is credited by the fore
caster. as being strongly ns In sym,
effect involved in the johnson amend
nent, but as sorely tempted to stand
with the President. Senator Ashurst
Is regarded as In the same boat with
the Georgian.
Majority Claims Three.
Senators Spencer and Lenroot of the
republicans, are counted upon by the
majority members of the foreign re-
lations committee to be inclined to
vote for the johnson amendment.
Senator Cummins Is claimed by them
also. His colleague. Senator Kenyon,
Is strong for the amendment, but
Senator Cummins Is the senior of the
two and his colleagues attitude. 1t is
said, does not necessarily outline his
own position. Senator Jones of WASH
tngton, Is claimed by each side.
With pencil and paper, the fore
casters were busy today drawing UP
the "doubtful' senators were shifted
from column to column and group
10 grQpp-semething of . puzzle.
working cut many ways.
ever, Presfdent Wilson may have ac.d
complished In swaying sentiment in
the west among the people at large,
that influence is this far not reflected
has not changed any votes. it is de-
elared.
1lr. Marshall's Course Uncertain.
Vice President Marshall. who was re-
quested by democratic leaders Satur-
day to return here for the treaty fight
in the Senate this week. was at Column
bus. Ohio, today, and 1t was said at
his Office that he had not decided
whether to proceed from there to Chi
eago or to come back to Washington.
This, 1t was said, would be determined
later.
Mr.. Thomas Denounces Treaty.
Dsnouncing the treaty from every
peint of view, historical, political,
economic and practical; condemning
it as pregnant with strife and con-
Met and firmly denying the right Of
the democratic state committee of
this state to advise his vote upon it,
Senator Thomas of Colorado, demo-
crat. declared himself unable to vote
for the treaty and the covenant of
the league of nations in their present
form.
His announcement was made in the
course of a reply to the democratic
state committee, which he caused to
be inserted in the Congressional
Record.
Speaking solely for myself" he
wrote. Il cannot perceive the wisdom
of ratifying q treaty pregnant with
strife and conflict and hoping to
avoid them by intertwining its arti-
cles with covenants for league of
nations"
In his reply to the state committee
Senator Thomas discusses at length
the several sections of the covenant
of the league of nations which have
been challenged in the Senate.