The Washington herald., 1919-03-27
REVISED DRAFT
WINS SENATORS
AGAINST LEAGUE
Amendments Made in Con-
stitution Appear to Meet
Objections Of Solons.
AWAITING FINAL PACT
Protection of Monroe Doc.
trine and Other Changes
Agreeable to Sen. King.

odoh OtnalOTS Claimed
yesterday that the amendments to the
league of nations constitution which
nave been proposed at Paris will wipe
out all objections on the part of Sem
ators and bring about prompt ratifica-
ton OF the covenant by the Senate.
They made this assertion after ana
lying the cable reports from the
Peace Conference indicating the ma
ture Of the amendments proposed by
President Wilson. These amendments,
IN, the view OF the Presidents support
ers, will meet the fundamental objec-
dons which Republican Senators have
raised against the league consitu-
ton.
At the same time, 1t is asserted, the
changes made in the document will
win over the doubling Democrats
whose support of the covenant had
that it might not sufficiently protect
the Monroe Doctrine.
Among the Democratic Senators who
are named as likely now to swing
to the support of the league of ma
tons plan are Senators Pomerene, of
Ohio; Hoke Smith, of Georgia; I'm
derwood and Bankhead, of Alabama; /;
Myers. of Montana, and Phelan, of
California. All OF these Senators
have been heretofore listed as hav-
ing some hesitancy about giving the
league their support
King Approves.
Senator King, of Utah, announced
that the proposed amendments have
completely met every objection he
had to the league and that he is
ready to support it. A few days
ago he declared that he could not
support it in the form in which it
was then presented.
The amendments as Senators have
been able to interpret them from the
sketchy cable messages received here
make provision for the following
changes:
l. Protection Of the Monroe Doc
trine against any interference by the
league.
?. Reservation to the nations in the
league OF all the power now pos
sessed to settle internal and domes-
tic questions.
3. Provision for withdrawal from
the league by any nation for rea-
sons which may be satisfactory to
itself.
4. Postponement of the question
OF disarmament and qualifying the
leagues power on the question to a
mere Recommendation" rather than
a rigid enforcement.
These amendments are directly in
line with the amendments proposed
several days ago by Senator King.
Il am thoroughly satisfied with
the amendments" Senator King
said, "and can now vote for the
league with full belief that the
rights Of the United States are pro-
tected. look to see the treaty and
the league covenant ratified without
much discussion"
Senator Borah, one of the staunch-
est leaders of the opposition, de-
clined to make any comment on
the reported changes; he said he
preferred to wait until the COM
plete draft of the treaty is before
him. The Senator said, however.
that he would be glad if 1t were
true that the Monroe Doctrine has
been preserved in the league.
Senator Watson. of Indiana, Re-
publican, gave indications of weak
ening in the face of the Paris re-
ports. He was one of the signers
OF the Republican round robin"
but said yesterday that he feared
the Republicans might be making
a lot of trouble for themselves II
they kept up their fight against
the league after it had been
amended.
Navy Gratihed.
Officials of the Navy Department
expressed satisfaction with the
agreement in the matter of dis
armament, and it was unorficfalIy
announced that there will be no
change in the navy's building plans
for the year.
If the league had taken a firm
stand for enforced disarmament by
all the powers, it is probable the
navy officials might have felt called
upon to delay work on the building
program until the size of the future
navy had been determined.
The situation as interpreted by
the naval officials is that after the
Peace Conference has adjourned the
leagues executive council will take
up with Great Britain, Japan, the
United States, France and Italy the
matter Of bringing about by agree
ment a propOrtionate reduction of
the navies of these powers. Until
such an agreement has been
reached, however, the plans for
building will proceed uninterrupt-
edly.