Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-05-09
POLITICAL OPINIONS
DIVIDED ON TREATY
AND ALLIANCE PLAN
Borah and Curtis Oppose
Agreement Guaranteeing
Protection to France.
SHERMAN AND MOSES CHIEF
LEAGUE COVENANT CRITICS
Praises Stipulations for
Germany and Society of
Nations Proposal.
MILITARY TERMS SATISFY ALL
General Approval of Demands Making
Hun War Power Nil for
the Future.
MILITARY TERMS SATISFY ALL
General Approval of Demands Making
Hun War Power Nil for
the Future.
rBv Associated Press.


WASHINGTON, May S.-As they COM
picted their study of the official sum-
mary of the treaty of Versailles today.
Senators began to give expression to
their views on the momentous docu-
ment which is now in the hands of
the German plenipote ntiaries. A few
Senators. however. still withheld COM
ment, prefcrrins to examine the com
plete text before reaching definite
conclusion These included Senator's
Lodge, Of Massachusetts; Smoot, of
Utah, and other Republican leaders.
Sharp opposition to the proposal
that the United states in concert with
Great Britain commit itself TO go to
frances aid In the event that coun-
try Nere attacked, was voiced by SEN
ators Borah. of Idaho. and Curtis. Of
Kansas. while Senators Sherman. of IL
iinois. and Moses. of New Hampshire,
criticized the league Of nations cove
nant in the treaty.
Hitchcock Approves Trcaty.
Senator Hitchcock, of Nebraska. re-
tirinS chairman OF the Senate Foreign
relations Committee, approved the
treaty as a whole and said that in his
great document is tile fact that there
Is imbeGded in ii the great constitu-
sion OF the league of nations The
senator. declared. the treaty was "a
TO the highest moral standards Of
tnc world with justice as the basis
of reorganization.
General approval of the military and
naval terms imposed on Germany was
given not only by both Republican and
Democratic Senators. but by officials
and diplomats generally. They con-
Cured in the view OF army and navy
oincers that with the carrying out of
the terms Germany would he stripped
of every vcstige Of power necessary
tn RI tcf trlN
the world.
Bornh Attacks Agreement.
Senator Borah made no comment
upon the treaty itself. conhning his
statement solely TO the proposal for
triple alliance between the three
leading associated powers He de-
ciared that whether the United States
should take part in any future Euro
pean war was "a matter which should
he determined upon facts when and
as they arise and by the particular
generations which must bear the bruni
of the war and by the intelligence and
conscience and Judgment of the Ameri-
can people as they see the situation
when face to face with it,"
senator Sherman said the manner in
which the treaty has been presented
Is resort 10 gag rule" He declared
II was "a confession Of weakness that
the league OF nations has TO be dragged
through as an annex 10 the treaty OF
peace. and said he would vote to
the treaty and take a SCI F:Irate vote
on each.
Prefers Triple Alliance.
Senator Moses did not regard the
separation of the league covenant
from the treaty as impossible. and
said he preferred the triple alliance
between the United States. Great Brit.
ain and France to the league plan as
drawn.
Senator Curtis. of Kansas, RepubIi-
can. in statement discussing the pro-
posed alliance between the United
states. Great Britain and France, said
no Congress could pledge another to
declare war
The United States is always ready"
he said ito do its full part 10 preserve
peace and it can always be depended
upon IN the future as in the past The
very fact that the President asks for
this is evidence that the league OF ma
tons is not what he contends il is"
senator Sherman also said:
me terms Of peace are sufficiently
drastic TO serve as remedy for the
miiitaristic spirit of Germany"