New-York tribune., 1919-02-23
The Senate and the Dinner


In relation to Senator Borah's speech
the most significant thing is not what
it contained but what occurred after its
delivery. The correspondents, alive to
the real news, report that practically the
whole body of one side of the Senate
focked to extend congratulations and
that the number of Democrats joining
in this demonstration was larger than
expected"
The question occupying the mind of
the President as he draws near Ameri-
can shores is, it may be assumed, what
sort of peace league he will be able
to get ratified. Thus far he has seen
fit, in an unprecedented way, to ignore
his associates in treaty making. From
the point of view of his own desires his
attitude has been strange, for he has
known he must face the Senate some
day and that if representatives of the
Senate had been placed on the Paris
delegation he would have minimized
and perhaps have prevented opposition
would not have aroused entirely natu-
The secret White House dinner, at
which confidential explanation is to
De given and an appeal for support
made, seems to indicate belated reali-
ation of the mistake of trying to keep
the Senate from knowledge of things
it is its business to know But che
method adopted is clumsy. Between
host and his guests is an artificial rela-
ton which does not conduce to open
discussion. Pointed questions can
scarcely be asked which if asked, and
frankly answered, might clear the air
The Senators understand not that they
are to be conferred with, but lectured
at, and this feeling does not contribute
to mutual understanding.
The congratulations to Senator Borah
suggest that the peace league draft, as
it now stands, has little chance of rati-
fcation. Some object because it is not
league Of all nations Others because
1t is not clearly coalition of some ma
uons. Some are against it because it
involves an abandonment of the Mon
roe Doctrine and an impairment of ma
uonal sovereignty and others because
no seemingly effective supersovereignty
is set up. Some believe a continuing
national obligation to urge war is vo-
!atlve Of the Constitution, and still others
'nlnk that to rely on insufficient safe
guards, which might prove valueless at a
critical time, would prevent creation of
fleet brtI, ,.I-
mache Notifications are set up their mere
existence is an impediment to building
stronger Notifications. The opposition is
mus confused and inconsistent, but
negative vote is negative, no matter
what motives or reasons father it,
The President doubtless has an idea
OF placing the Senate in dilemma
winch will assist his plans--of trying to
make 1t appear that vote against a
peace treaty which has particular
peace league annex is vote against
peace. But this artifciality will break
GOWN. The burden of responsibility
VIII be thrown back on him. If he sub
mits something he knows in advance
WIN be rejected, or have poor chance
of being accepted, and peace is thereby
oeferred, his will be the responsibility
% much as that of the Senate.
The dinner is given nominally to
communicate information 1t is, in fact,
70 get information. The host wants to
Ahow what sort Of treaty will command
iasiication. He has been significantly
eauI'ous about committing himself be-
s'no recall. He has burned no bridges
pehind him. He asks others to place
sher cards on the table while his own
are up his sleeve, but this is not the
Dsnayior Of sure winner According
~ ne forms d judgment as to what he
an get through, his future policy is
Axely to develop. He has changed his
sss~noc az to many things, and may
Change more.
at the gathering, therefore, although
- may be chief and perhaps the only
~'ker, the President will doubtless
s'oseIy scrutinize the countcnanccs be-
sgse him. His friends may be under the
Musson that all that is necessary in to
.fsek the Presidential whip, but he Ii
seo intelligent to share this idea. The
has the last word, and he In fully
r@xe Of the fact, and it will not be at