Omaha daily bee., 1919-05-10
ALLIANCE
PROPOSAL
EXPLAINED
BY WILSON.
President to Submit to Senate
Agreement to Aid France
in Case Of Unprovoked
Attack by Germany.

Washington, May o.-In response
to an inquiry from Secretary Tu-
multy, President Wilson cabled to-
day that he had promised France
to propose to the senate in connec-
ton with the peace treaty "a sup
plement in which we shall agree,
subject to the approval OF the coun-
Gil of the league of nations, tn come
Immediately to the assistance of
France in case of unprovoked at
tack by Germany"
Happily there is no mystery or
privacy about what | have promised
the government here" the president
cabled. II have promised to pro-
pose to the senate a supplement in
which we shall agree, subject to the
approval of the council of the league
of nations, to come Immediately to
the assistance of France in case of
unprovoked attack by Germany,
thus merely fastening the action to
which we should be bound by the
covenant of the league of nations"
Senators Withhold Conclusions.
Authoritative statements OF opin-
ion by most senators on the treaty
of Versailles probably will not be
forthcoming until after congress has
met in extra session.
Republican leaders have an
nounced their determination not to
give final conclusions until they
have had an opportunity to study
the full text of the treaty and the
understanding here is that the doc
ument will not be made public until
after it has been signed. In the
meantime congress will have con-
vened.
Expressions of views came today
from only two senators, neither Of
whom entered into a discussion of
the treaty itself. Senator Borah of
Idaho, republican, in letter to the
editor of the Boston Transcript, re-
iterating his opposition to the
league of nations covenant, asked
the republican party to state its po-
sition as to the league and init
mated that should approval of it
be given he would quit the party.
Norris Opposes Alliance.
Senator Norris of Nebraska, re-
publican, concurred in previous an
nouncements by Senators Borah and
Curtis of Kansas. opposing the pro-
posed alliance between the United
States, Great Britain and France.
This alliance, if formed" Sena-
tor Norris, said, kills the league
of nations and the next logical step
is the creation of great army and
great navy to carry out the al
lance Then the next step will be
an alliance between some other
powers to build up a great army
and great navy, both alliances be-
ing formed to prevent aggressions.
Then, with all great nations armed
to the teeth, the invitation for an
other war is presented"
Raises Question Of Procedure.
Representative Mondell of Wyo-
ming, the republican floor leader,
discussed with Secretary Tumulty
today matters of procedure at the
opening of the extra session of con-
gress May 10.
No announcement was made, but
it was understood that among the
questions raised by Mr.. Mondell was
that since the president would not
be in Washington, what substitute
congress would be expected to find
for the usual custom of notifying
him after it meets that it is ready
to receive his message.
Officials here still professed to-
night to be without information as
to when the president planned to
return to Washington. 1t is be-
lieved, however, that he will mot
start for home until the treaty has
been signed and that helwill present
it in person to the senate. in some
quarters the opinion is expressed
that he will tour the country, speak
ing in support of. the treaty and the
league covenant.