The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-20
SENATORS GROW
MORE INSISTENT
TO CHANGE PACT
Number Pledged to Reject
Treaty, as Well as League,
Unless Amended.
WILSON MAY GIVE UP TRIP
President Is Worried About
Inquiries Respecting Shan
tung Concession to Japan.
WILSON MAY GIVE UP TRIP
Spectal Despatch 10 TIE suN.


WASHINGTON, July 19.-while the
President has let It be known that he
Is pleased" with the results OF his re-
cent secret conclaves with Republican
Senators-particular those Senators
whose backbones are not of the chilled
steel variety-it is known that the
President has been informed that
there are Senators pledged to vote to
reject the whole peace treaty and the
league scheme unless Mr.. Wilson ac-
cepts important reservations.
The source of this information can
not be disclosed but there are more
than enough OF these solons to force
the issue. And this list has not
reached full proportions yet Those
men were pledged after serious and
thoughtful consideration Of the con-
sequences their action might bring
upon them. They are prepared for
whatever may be the political conse-
quences and. II need be, to be retired by
their constituents II the worst comes
to the worst. They are not willing to
remain in the Senate II the price o.
doing so Is supporting the treaty and
the league plan as It now stands with
cut important reservations.
Senate leaders do not care to make
the list public. but 1t may be given ou,
latar Aa (,,x taI, %
President privately.
Cannot Ratify Treaty ns II IL.
This means briefly. unless the Presi.
dent can sway a sufficient number Of
these Senators TO his.views-this is re-
garded as absolutely out OF the ques-
tion-that Mr.. Wilson is defeated nov
in his fight to secure ratification of the
treaty and the league untouched. Il
means that important reservation,
will be made as regards the sover
eighty and independence Of the United
States or the treaty will 60 back Il
Paris rejected.
The situation now leaves Ave pos
sible courses Of action open to tn,
Senate. They are:
l. Ratification without amend
ments but with certain conditions
definitely set forth in the adminis-
trative law affecting the treaty
which must be passed.
2. Ratification with interpretative
reservations.
3, Ratification with reservations
making such changes that the
document would have to go back
to Paris.
4. Ratification with actual amend
ments to the body OF the document
itself.
5. Rejection of the treaty out
right.
OF these courses the first would be th
least shock to the President and his sup
porters and the last would mean tn
undoing OF whatever the President ac
complished during his long absence from
his post OF duty. AS a matter of IA !,
the FIRST possible course has been sug
gested by certain Administration Sena
tors who realiLe the futility of trying t
get the document past the Senate a.
It new stands. 1t has not met witt
much favor.
Trying to sidetrack ObJectors.
The administrative legislation though
to be essential TO the carrying out 0
the involved and complicated provision
| Of the treaty Is soon to be introduce
by Senator Hitchcock (Neb.). A plA'
| by the Administration Senators to tr
| to call the Republicans or from thci
determination to change the treaty AN
persuade them to put their ideas O
amendments into this administra ativ
| legislation is certain to be made.
Failing in this the Administrator
cohorts will seek to have the covenan
| ratified with interpretative reservation
statements In the resolution OF ratin
cation interpreting the Senate's under
standing OF what certain terms meant
| Such reservations. though, are unlikely
as critics OF the covenant regard ther
as too shadowy and vague to meal
much OF anything. The Senate critic
OF the treaty do not desire merely L
express misgivings; they intend I
change the meaning of certain parts o
the treaty.
Ono OF the last three courses OF &C
ton is far more probable. the chance
| favoring the plan for reservation
which would essentially change tn
treaty so far as the United States
concerned. Whether this can be &C
complished now lies largely in the hand
Of the President. II he will consent I,
this plan, II will be unnecessary to max
/ actual amendments In the treaty itself
including tho league covenant, or r,
ject the whole thing.
The whole complexion OF the leagu
nght has changed day by day since tn
Presidents return. Beginning with tn