New-York tribune., 1919-05-02
Johnson, Borah and Others
Oppose Being Bound by
Conference Proposed by
Lodge; Take Own Stand
Progressives i'll Revolt
Westerners Insist Matter is
Too Important To Be
Decided by One Side
Neto York Tribune
WdShinOton Bureau

Neto York Tribune
Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, May IA group of
Republican Senators, led by Senator
Johnson of California and Senator
Borah of Idaho, have taken exception
10 the message sent out to Republican
Senators by Senators Curtis and Lodge,
counsellng against "fnal expressions"
on the legue of nations covenant until
there was opportunity for conference"
and have replied to the party leaders
that they will not be bound by any
caucus action on the covenant.
The revolving leaders insist in their
statements that the league is too i'm
portant a public matter to be involved
IN partisan politics.
In answer to this, Senator Lodge in
statement to-day said that the cove
nant was not a partisan matter, and
that no party action would be taken on
IT, but declared that his message to
Republican Senators was designed to
discourage hasty commitments on the
covenants before the full significance
of some contested provisions of the re-
vlsed draft had been studied by COM
petent international authorities.
Denies Frantic Efforts
Senator Curtis, the Republican whip.
affirmed Senator Lodges statement,
and denied the reports said to eminate
from Democratic quarters that the Re-
publican organization was making fran
tic efforts through conferences here
and In New York to formulate a def
mite policy of opposition to the league
covenant. Senator Lodge also denied
this report, saying that no conferences
had been or would be held.
Its matter of every man for him
self on the covenant" said Senator
johnson to-day. "Any man who is in
capable of reaching a decision in this
matter for himself is unfit to hold pub
lie office"
This view was also expressed to- day
with varying degrees of emphasis by
Senators McNary of Oregon, who has
declared in favor of the revised COW
enant; Jones of Washington, Norris of
Nebraska, and Mccormick of Illinois.
Mccormick States Views
In answer to a question regarding
his attitude toward the revised COW
enant, Senator Mccormick sad
I'm Difference to the request Of
Senator Curtis and Senator Lodge, |
do not want to speak in final judgment
upon the amended covenant, but | feel
free to say that in its present form
1t is rather guarantee of empire than
league to enforce peace 1t is
phrase maker of the king is better ne
gotiator than the king of the phrase
makers"
Senator McCormick's statement, in
which, after paying formal Difference
to the request of Senator Curtis and
Senator Lodge" he states himself with
defniteness which denies the request,
--,, Ia Df <lo -.
many Republican Senators will take
If there is any attempt at caucus ac-
tion on the covenant. 1t is probable
that the so-called progressive group of
Republicans will, within the next week,
propose to Senator Lodge the desir-
ability Of organizing a Republican
steering committee at the earliest pos
siole time.
Cannot Defer to Lodge
In the Senate there is growing
sentiment that the party cannot af-
ford to defer entirely to the pro-
nouncements of the conservative group
in which Senator Lodge is counted
although it is admitted that the Mass
achusetts Senator cannot be classed
without reservation in the Penrose
school of conse rvatism.
In consequence there will be a move
to place on the proposed steering COM
UllLJSc SQCn men DIS DOIdu Oh lQdnO,
Lenroot of Wisconsin, Johnson of Cali
fornia and Poindexter of Washington
The latter may be selected as president
pro tenn of the Senate if he will become
d candidate.
One of the Progressive Senators de-
clared to-day that Senator Poindexter
should be elected to this office to com
pensate for the present dominant con-
troll of the East in the Senate through
the leadership of Lodge and the in
fuence of Senate action exercised nv
such men as Penrose, Knox and Bran
degee.
Senator Lodge to-day denied widely
circulated reports that he had con-
ferred with Elihu Root and other
party leaders in New York regarding
the league.
81 have not set foot out of Wash
ington since | returned here" said
Senator Lodge "There are enough con-
ferences here"
He added that no such conferences
are contemplated and that he would
remain in Washington.
No Binding of Party
Senator Curtis made this statement:
There has been no conference of
Republicans on binding the party one
way or the other on the league Of ma
tions. There is general feeling
among htpuDilCdHo mere tndt senators
should refrain from passing an opin-
ion upon the covenant until they know
just what it contains, and they won't
know until it has been presented to the
Senate for action.
The Lodge telegram was sent after
confederation with number Of Sen
ators here in Washington, because it
was believed 10 be better plan for
the Senators not to express them
selves on the proposition, as it had not
been studied and the amendments sug-
gested not verified. There have been
already statements az to what amend
rnents have been agreed to, but there
has been no authentic statement re-
garding them made"