New-York tribune., 1919-03-05
In
Heated Clash
With Wilson
Continued from page I

counsel or service you may desire,
and shall be happy in the thought
that am constantly in touch with
the weighty matters Of domestic pol
icy with which we shall have to
deal ="
Republican Senators were intensely
bitter in their comments on the
Presidents statement. Most of them
expressed themselves as being entirely
willing to accept the responsibility for
failure to put through all the measures
before the time limit.
Pointing to the fact that the Demo
cratic controlled committees had not
reported many of the big important
bills until the last two or three days,
they insisted that the country would
understand very quickly that the
President was attempting to force the
responsibility on them when the real
point at issue is that the President
merely wants to avoid having Congress
talking about the league Of nations,
and perhaps dscountng him as the
spokesman for the United States,
while he is at Paris.
During the morning Senator elect
Elkins. of West Virginia, arrived in
Washington, and signed the round
wire to do, thus making thirty eight
actual signatures, and thirty-nine
authorized, as Senator Fall, of New
Mexico, last night wired his wish to
have his name attached
Actually it developed to- day that
there are no fewer than Gfty-two Sen
atorl of the next Congress- members
of the Senate which must ratify the
peace treaty-who are opposed to the
constitution Of the league Of nations as
proposed and who want the peace
treaty with Germany consummatcd
first.
Others Favor Resolution
TO the thirty-ninc who arc on the
list should really be added Senator
Wesley l.. Jones, Of Washington, who
declared that he is in absolute agree
mont with tho resolution indorsod in
the round robin, but has made IL
lifelong practice not to sign such docu
ments
Senators Nelson and Kellogg, Of Min
nesota, who declined 10 sign the round
robin, also expressed their opposite ion
to the present form of the constitution
to-day, and even Senator MeCumpcr,
strongest advocate Of II league Of ma
tions on the Republican side, said be
would not support the present draft
unless it specifically recognized the
Monroe Doctrine.
Senator Kenyon, of Iowa, said he had
promised his constituents not to bind
himself on the matter He announced,
however, that he proposed making n
series OF speeches in Iowa against the
league.
Many Democrats Oppose 1t
Then there must be added the Dem.
~ iia "a
constitution, none Of whom was
invited to sign the round robin.
These include Senators Reed, Thomas.
Shields, King, Myers and Gore, while
Senator'S Underwood and Chamberlain
will not vote for ratification Of the
document unless it is amended. Sen
ator Owen pointed out the imperative
necessity for amendment in several
places in a recent speech.
This would make total of fifty-two
Senators, or three more than q ma
jority oil the Senate; and all fifty
two are members of the next Senate,
retiring Senator'S being ignored in
the canvass, inasmuch as they will
not be called on to vote on the ratif-
cation of the peace treaty.
eve can afford to lose a consider
able percentage of those now oaa our
side" one Senator who is very mitch
!
still keep the thirtythree votes needed
TO defeat the ratification Of any un-
satisfactory treaty"
Statement Causes Comment
The Presidents excoriating state
ment did not mention the sgners of
the round robin; nor did he refer to
the Republicans or party issues. This
was much commented upon around the
Capitol afterward. 1t was parallel to
the adjournment Of the Senate of the
last Congress, followed by President
Wilson'S denunciation Of the ''little
group of wiful men" generally counted
up as twelve.
In that instance, however, there was
no talking of bills to death with view
to bringing on an extra session. The
"Wilful Twelve" fought against the
armed neutrality bin because they
thought it would lead to war with Ger
many Both parties were represented
in this group. 1t was thought toe day
that the President in mentioning
group" without little" included the
more outspoken opponents of the
league in both parties, particularly
Senator Reed, Of the Democratic side,
who has used more time on the floor
i in the discussion Of the league Of ma
tions than any Republican.
Extra Session Cali Expected
There is regarded as being little
doubt that the President will call an
extra session Of Congress some time
before July |, when the new fiscal wear
makes necessary the new appropriation
! bills Because of the failure Of the
railroad appropriation bill it is not
/ impossible, in the view Of many Sen
ators, that he will be obliged to
change his mind and call session be.
fore his, return from Europe.
Several Senators predicted tonight
that he would call the extra session
before month had elapsed. but the
general opinion was that he would whit
until some time in May anyhow even
IL he changed his mind about calling
the session before hiS return from
Europe
Fcclsng against the President was 80
nigh today that little irritations were
magnihcd' For instance, there were
many sharp comments about the fnct
mat in the short time the President
spent at the Capitol tot day he conferred
a long time with the only Socjnlist
member of Congress, Representative
Meyer London. Of New York, and twice
with Representative Baer, Of North
Dakota, VINO 10 ncnpsrtisan lcngucf.
Borah Discusses Robin
speakIng Of tho effect of the round
robin. Senator Boyah said:
This serves notice on the world
that tho Benntr II the United gtafes
VIII not ratjfy any lengun OF natIona'
constitution that docs not contalnan
clear and upmistaknblo reservation Of