New-York tribune., 1919-12-23
Underwood Confers With
Lodge; Hitchcock Be-
gins Sounding Republi-
cans ON Reservations
Some Concessions
Virtually Assured
Wilson's Stand on Article
X Admitted To Be the
Chief Barrier to- Peace
NeW York Tribune
Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON, Dec. 22.-Two
movements by Democratic leaders
toward a compromise on the peace
treaty reservation program were in
progress here to-day. One was direct
ed by acting Administration leader
Hitchcock, and the other by Senator
Underwood, of Alabama, who is Sen
ator Hitchcock's rival in the contest
for selection as Administration
leader to succeed the late Senator
Martin, Of Virginia.
Senator Hitchcock's efforts were
directed toward conferences with Re-
publican Senators who are seeking
reservations to the treaty, while Sem
ator Underwood called on Senator
Lodge, majority leader, and dis
cussed the treaty situation for more
than an hour.
1t was said after the conference
between Senators Lodge and Under
wood that nothing definite had been
accomplished toward a compromise
on reservations, and that the Demo-
cratic Senator had not submitted any
concrete proposal to the majority
leader. The general situation in the
Senate was discussed frankly, and
tf~ difference was regarded as a
preliminary discussion of the de-
mands that both sides will make
when actual negotiations for an
agreement get under way.
Few Concessions Promised
Senator Lodge, it is understood, told
Senator Underwood that the Repub-
licans would make few concessions.
They may agree to a modification of
the so-called preamble, which requires
the formal acceptance of the reserva-
tions by three Of the great powers, and
may agree also to minor changes in
the phraseology of the other reserva-
tions.
Senator Underwood departed for
Alabama Immediately after his visit to
Senator Lodges Office The majority
leader declined to say anything further
than that the general situation in the
Senate had been discussed
Senator Hitchcock said his policy in
seeking compromise on reservations
would be to invite Republican Senators
him during the recess OF Congress in
the hope that a compromise may be
reached. At the same time Senator
Hitchcock Indicated that President
Wilson's unyielding opposition to any
reservation to Article X of the league
of nations covenant was proving an
obstacle in the way of working out the
hoped for program Of conciliation.
mo formal conference will be held,'
said Senator Hitchcock. 81 expect,
though, to have informal talks with
every Republican Senator in Washing
tom l want to find out just what each
will consent to modify. No compro-
mise can be worked out unless we can
ty-five Republican Senators toward
each OF the Lodge reservations.
Finds Task Difficult
"In the discussions | already have
had with Republicans | find that it is
q very difficult task to reach some com
mon ground for an agreement. Some
Republican Senators are willing to
drop the preamble, the Shantung reser-
walton and the equality in voting
reservation.
"Most of the Senators | have talked d
with insist upon reservations on the
Monroe Doctrine and domestic ques-
tions and some kind of a reservation
on Article X.
81 am proceeding in the hope that
we can secure an agreement with
twenty or twenty-five Republicans. If
we get them to agree upon COM
promise the forty or more Democrats
who will support, the treaty can be
ratified"
In emphasizing the informal nature
of the conferences he is holding Sen
ator Hitchcock said:
81 do not believe that anything at
all could be accomplished by sitting
down at formal conference and try
ing to discuss the reservations. 1t
would be as bad a proceeding as try
ing to agree upon reservations on the
floor of the Senate. The conference ]
will hold will be private talks with
individual Senator's"
Hampered by President
Discussing the situation brought
about by President Wilson's refusal
to compromise, Senator Hitchcock said
"Article x is proving a stumbling
block. The President insists that every
member OF the league of nations pledge
itself to guarantee the territorial and
political independence OF every other
nation. He believes that the unquali-
fed pledge of every nation to preserve
the integrity OF every other nation is
necessary il the league is to be sue
cessful, just as the tinality with which
the Monroe Doctrine was declared
made that principle effective. l am
inclined to agree with the President.
"The Republicans want to declare
specifically in a reservation that the
United States shall take no action to
preserve the territorial or political in
dependence of any other member of