Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-07-25
DECLARES WILSON I
VIOLATING PLEDGE
IN HOLDING PAPER
Says Peace Pact Provides
Simultaneous Action on
Documents.
BITTER DEBATE FOLLOWS
ON HEELS OF ALLEGATION
Democratic Members Charge
Move Another Attempt to
Discredit President.
FEW WELCOME TAFT's VIEWS
Small Group Of Republican Senators
Favor His Plan-Whte House
Conferences Suspended.
BITTER DEBATE FOLLOWS
ON HEELS OF ALLEGATION
FEW WELCOME TAFT's VIEWS
Small Group of Republican Senators
Favor His Plan-White House
Conferences Suspended.
fBy Associated r.ress. !

WASHINGTON, July 24.-While Re-
publican and Democratic Senators
were feeling out the possibilities OF
former President Taft's plan for in
terpretations in the league of nations
ratification, the attack on President
Wilson'S course in concluding peace
was renewed today from a new quar-.
ter.
The storm center of the assault was
section of the defensive treaty with
France, which published texts have
shown to provide that 1t must be pre-
sented for Senate ratification "at the
many. The latter was submitted two
weeks ago; the former, brought back
from Paris by the President, still is
In an hour of bitter debate, Chair
man Lodge, Of the Foreign Relations
committee, and Senator Brandegee.
| President of violating the pledge OF
Simultaneous presentation made when
ne ne signed the treaty. and Senators
| Hitchcock. Nebraska. and Williams
| Mississippi. Democrats of the commit
| tee, replied that the charges only re-
newed an attempt to "hamstring" and
| dlscredit the President
Asks for French Treaty
Later Chairman Lodge presented
resolution by which the Senate would
respectfully request" that the treaty
be submitted, SO that the Senate could
sonSider ,r 1t In connection with the
treaty or peace with Germany"
A request for immediate considera-
ton was blocked by Senator Robinson
democrat, Arkansas. and the resolution
probably VIII come up tomorrow. Il
carries this quotation from section
OF the treaty. as published:
Ihe present treaty will be sub
mittcd 10 the Senate at the same time
as the treaty Of Versailles is submitted
TO the Senate for its advice and con-,
sent to ratification"
Ihe suggestion of Mr.. Taft for six
terpretations in the ratification res
olution affecting the league covenant
Leg leg to no discussion on the Senate
room talk and in many conferences
among Senator'S of all shades of
opinion.
Most of them seemed inclined to look
warily at the suggested plan and to
withhold comment for the present.
Chairman Lodge had nothing TO say;
neither had Senator Hitchcock. Both,
however, indicated their positions had
been in no wise changed by Mr. Taft's
arguments.
Few Welcome Tnft's Proposals.
The group of Republicans, who, un-
Ga,. DER the leadership, OF Senators Nc
oregon. are working for a middle
course. received the former Presidents
views With enthusiasm. although not
his program Of interpretations They
say the form of any reservations OF
,n;terpretations M, stll is an open ques.
tioh among them, though they hope to
see it settled soon.
Shantuns and the league also were
debated in the Senate. Senator Robin
son presenting the legal claims OF
tor Fletcher, Democrat Florida. sun.
porting the league. and Senator Len
root, Republican. Wisconsin, declaring
ne could not accept certain features Of
the covenant without reservations to
safeguard the right OF independent ma
tional action.
Conferences Suspended.
r, preshient Wilson'S conferences with
republican Senators at the White
ifouse were suspended during the day,
ana 1t was said tonight that no further
invitations had been issued. On the
question whether The talks would be
resumed later there was no authorita.
tive expression. but previous intinn-
tons al the White House have indi.
would ask virtually every Republican
member or the treaty -ratfying body to
confer with
1t was said today that President
Wilson had known of M. Tast's in.sr.
pretation plan for several days and il
also developed that the former Presi.
dent had opened correspondence on the
subject with the Democratic side in
me senate 1t remained conjec:uraI
now FAR these negotiations might &c
toward bringing some Democrats and
die grounds of interpretative reserva-
lions. but Republicans who favor the
league idea seemed more confident
than ever that in the end Mr.. Wilson
himseif would be found committed 10
such course.
Letters Not Yet In Hays Hands.
Publication today OF Mr. Taft's LETT
ters TO VIII II. Hays. the Republican
national chairman. was followed by3a
telephone conversation between SIR
Rays. who is in Indiana, and Senate,
Lodge. Mr.. Lodge declined to discusf
his talk with the chairman, but it was
understood the latter had called up In (
regard TO the letters. which, he said
had not yet reached him. They wers
sent from Canada Sunday. by way OF
Mr.. Hays office in New York
While Senator Lodge also declined
TO go into his views on the Tar, pro-
posal other Senators who have stood
close To him in the treaty fight in.
dicated they considered the develops
ment an break in the ranks of league
supporters which eventually would
widen to permit radical amendment
OF the covenant or even rejsctton OF x
the entire treaty. SSsy n
They pointed out that the former
President heretofore had a.ood can-S,