The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-11-19
Letter From President
Read at Their Caucus
Today.
MILD GROUP IN ACTION.
1t is Expected to Devise
Plan to Save the
Treaty.
fBy Associated Press ,,

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19-A letter
from President Wilson advising ad-
ministration senators to vote against
the ratification OF the treaty with the
Foreign Relations Committee reserva
tions was made before the conference
of the administration Senate forces to-
day by Democratic Senator Hitchcock.
Tho committee program, the President
wrote would provide not for rattfica-
tion, "but rather for the notification
of the treaty.
The conference had been called to
decide upon the final administration
tactics in the fight for ratification
which is expected to come to an emo
today or tomorrow.
After the Presidents letter was read
there were Indications that unless a
compromise could be effected, the adj
miniStratlon senator's would line up a.
most solidly against ratification.
The Presidents letter addressed TO
Senator Hitchcock and dated yester-
day, follows:
Mr. Dear Senasuss;---You we're
GOOD enough 70 -hFiRg me
wot1 that tie Democratic Sena-
tors supporting the treaty expect
ed 10 hold conference before
the final votes on the Lodge res
olutions Of ratification, and that
they would be glad to receive a
word Of council from me,
4 SHOULD hesitate to offer 1t in
any deeaA but l assume that the
senators only desire my Judgment
on the all important question of
the final vote on the resolution
containing the many reservations
Of Senator Lodge On that can
not hesitate, for in my opinion
the resolution in that form does
not provide for ratification, but
rather for the notification of the
treaty. l sincerely hope that the
friends and supporters of the
treaty will against the Lodge
resolution OF ratification.
understand that the door will
probably be opened them for a
genuine resolution on ratification.
/ trust that all friends of tho
treaty will refuse to support the
Lodge resolution.
Cordially and sincerely yours
WOODROW WILSON"
The Presidents reference to an OPP
portunity to vote on a genuine" Tati-
fcation resolution referred to plans
Of the Democrats TO get action on an
unreserVed resolution after they had
voted down the Lodge proposal. That
plan apparently has been blocked by
the decision Of the mid reservation
Republicans who stand with Repubh-
can leader Lodge against providing
sach an opportunity.
The Democratic leaders say they
have been promised chance to vote
on an unreseryed resolution before the
committe resolution comes to a roll
call and should the matter fail they
expect the mild group to bring the
committee draft back before the Sem
ate on a motion to reconsider. In
the matter eventually their plan b to-
present amendments Which 'TM mako
the resolution acceptable.
1t is known to be the purpose Of
Senator Lodge on the whole to force
the administration leaders to make
their compromise proposal before the,
committee resolution is voted.
Today's conference took up that sit
uadon with the leaders hopeful that
they might obtain such notification OF
the resolution as would enable them
to vote for 1t.
Immediately the senate met, Sena-
tor Lodge formally presented the
resolution ofiratification containing
the fifteen reservations adopted by q
majority of the senate.