Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-08-20

MeNico, suggested that any amend
n'eh's 10 the league covenant would
not require Germany's assent as sbe
was not member OF the league Tho
president replied he never had thought
OF that feature. He disagreed with
senators BrandcEec and Knox. R,Sub
lican Pennsylvania. who asserted that
the treaty would come into force
among all the Signatories as soon Z, :
three had ratified IT,
FOR more than three hours the COM
mittco members questioned the Prcsi-
gent and afterward they STAYED for
luncheon at the White House When
inc recess was taken there had been
no discussion whethet the meeting
noon, but later it was decided NOT 10
DO so There was no intimation to-
night whether the COMMITTEES would
seek a further conference Tomorrow
II VIII resume it's open hearings at the
Capitol.
Senator Fall left with Mr. Wilson a
iist OF questions which the latter said
he would reply to at length later
They concern the powers Of ihe Prcsi.
dent or Congress TO declare Il state O
peace, details of the rcsuInption of
trade and diplomatic relations with
Germany, what disposition is TO he
made of the German colonies and tho
need for American representation on
various European reconstruction com
missions.
Republicans Issue Statement.
The Presidents declaration OF A com
pelling moral obligation under the
league was emphasized in a statement
issued jointly tonight by Senators
Borah. Idaho. and johnson. Cal. Re-
publican members of the committee.
and two OF the bitterest opponents to
the treaty in its present form. They
declared tho days testimony had borne
their claims that the league would lead
10 interminahle foreign compliy>fons
TheN also pointed out that Senator
Johnson had developed in the days
meeting that good part OF tho terri
torial settlement resulting from the
war was Yet TO he determined
The arrangements for publishing a
transcript of the discussion which grew
out of suggestion from the committee
mat Senators be not required to keep
the proceedings in confidence, had Mr.
Wilson's personal supervision. After
the committee had departed he went
to the White House basement where
me newspaper correspondents were
waiting for the last of the stcno-
graphic repors and asked whether
everything there was going smoothly
Il came down" lie said. 10 the cor
respondents. TO inquire OF YOU gentle
was handled the way you wanted"
Oppose ShnntunS Provision.
The President in his statement at
the opening OF the conference said he
believed only the meaning OF certain
parts OF the league covenant stood in
the way of ratification of the treaty.
Later senator BrandcScc told him he
had been wrongly informed on that
SUBJECT. as there was much serious op-
position in the Senate 10 the Shantung
PROVISION and 10 other features
When the question Of moral oblica-
ton was raised Senator Harding suG-
Eestcd ihat the covenant provisions
might amount TO "surrendering the
suggestion o. moral obligation for
ihlS republic 10 the prejudice and
necessities Of the nations of the world"
do hot understand that We do sur
render. replied the President
w ould YOU not understand decree
ny the council to be n suggestion Of
This mor:- ohliEation?"
Certainly, would. but We would
nave TO concur in that before it had
any force OF any kind"
Then what permanent value Is there
10 this compact"
rhe greatest permanent value is the
point that | have raised We are as
Stunning that tho United states will not
concur in the greatest moral Judgment