The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-05-28
Z ARTISAN FIGHT
ON PEACE E TREATY
Johnson, Lodge and Sherman
Open the Attack in the
Senate
DEMOCRATS MAKE A
HOT DEFENSE
DEMOCRATS MAKE A
World Peace To Be Made a Foot
ball by Self Seeking Politi-
clans.

Washington, Nay 23.-The peace
treaty with its league Of nations
covenant was debated for three hours
in the senate today and at adjourn
ment the resolution which furnished
the vehicle for the discussion Went
over as unfinished business to come
up again when the senate reconyen-
ed Monday.
The resolution merely calls on the
state department to furnish the Ssnate
with the complete text of the treaty.
but as the debate progressed discus
sion shifted to the merits of the league
and treaty themselves. A dozen sena-
tors, including the leaders on both
sides, were drawn into the discussion
and sharp exchanges presaged the
bitterness of the fight when the treaty
actually comes for ratification.
Opponents of the treaty III its pres
ent form lined up generally for the
resolution and those supporting the
treaty draft led the opposition. There
was no attempt to reach q vote, how
ever. and some senator's predicted it
would be several days before the pre-
linlinary skirnlish Of the treaty hShf
would conas to a decision. The leaders
both for and against apparently are
feeling their way carefully.
Senator Johnson Of California. Re-
publican author Of the resolution.
started the debate today with q short
speech charging that the treaty sup
porters had something to conceal -
This assertion drew an indignant
reply from Senator Hitchcock, rank
ing Democrat of the foreign relations
committee, who declared the president
was following we'll established prece-
dent in keeping the treaty text III
confidence and that for the senate tc
request hin, to do otherwise would be
"grosS breach of international pro-
prieties.' y
Republican Leader Lodge. prospec-
tive chairman Of the foreign relations
committee. replied to Mr.. Hitchcock
declaring there was no impropriety lr
the resolution unless it We're improper
to "call attention to the new method
of open covenants openly arrived
| 1T ~
Every slopkeeper in Germany, SAID
the NIassa chusetts senator, was read
ing the treaty as made public at Fer
I'm. yet the senate was provided onlT
within a worthless" official abstract
A charge that the Republican,
were attempting TO make the treaty .
nartisan question was made By Sena-
tor Robinson Of Arkansas, Democrat.
who cited as evidence the telegram
sent by Mr.. Lodge some weeks aSo tc
Republican senators asking them aot
TO discuss the revised league Of na-
tons covenant pending a party con-
ference. The Republican leader re-
tcrted that the precautionary telegram
had no such purpose, and that mot
4. word" Of discussion CT the treaty
had passed in any of the conference
of Republican senators.
In the course Of the senate bitter
attack on the league covenant and oD
President Wilson'S course in the peace
conference was made by Senator
Sherman Of Illinois, Republican. who
earlier in the day had presented res
olution declaring it the sense Of the
senate that the treaty and the cove
nant should be considered separately
when they come up for ratification.
At Sherman's reGuest lis resolution
went over and will be called up for
debate probably next week.
How long the discussion started by
Senator Johnson's resolution is to con-
tinue could not be predicted by either
side tonight During the day Sena-
tor Robinson gave notice that he ex-
pected to address The senate at great
er length on Monday in support Of the
treat and Senator Reed Of Missouri,
Democrat, who is understood to op-
pose it, also announced that he would
speak on the subject at Mondays ses-
SION Many other senator's are known
to be preparing addresses.
Poles Capture Lutsk