New-York tribune., 1919-07-18
Wilson Hints to Senators
at Conference in White
House of Promises of
Value to U. S. by Toxic
Will Not Oppose
Reservation Ideas
Against Changes, How
ever, Which Might Lead
to Reopening of Treaty
NeiD York T,ibwne
WGsht,r Ofon Eure,1v

hGshtHGfon " Bureuv
WASHINGTON, July 17-President
Wilson made clear to-day in the first
IF his conferences with Republican
Senator's his line of attack on any
changes in the league of nations or
peace treaty.
The important features developed at
the White House conferences are:
The President will make no fight
against the ideas involved in the
four proposed reservations. He will
contend that the United States is
entirely safeguarded on those ideas,
but that he would have no objection
to using language drawn by the Sem
ate were it practicable.
He will centre his fight against
any change which would require
even tacit approval by any of the
signatory powers, on the ground that
this would open the gates to similar
reservations by other powers. This
would lead TO loading the league
of nations down, he thinks, and kill
ing it before it got a xkr start.
On Shantung the President frank
ly adopted the John Sharp Williams
defence that it was disagreeable,
but absolutely necessary, in order
to get Japan not only to join tho
league of nations. but to stay in the
peace conference. He limited at
promises obtained from Japan which
would be of value to the United
States, but imposed such secrecy on
those with whom he conferred that
no lnkling of just what the argu-
ments are could be learned
Nelson, Colt and McCumber
The Republican Senators invited to
he White House to-day were Nelson.
# Minnesota; Colt, of Rhode Island;
Nc Cumber, of North Dakota, and Jones,
Of Washington. Mr.. Jones was out of
the city, but the other three spent
about an hour each with the Presi-
lent.
Tomorrow the President will confer
with four more Republican Senators
Kellogg, of Minnesota; McNary, of
Oregon; Capper, of Kansas, and Ken
yon, of Iowa.
There was some surprise when i.
was learned who had been invited to
the White House, in view of the init
nation there yesterday that even the
bitter ender" opponents of the League
would be invited to discuss the ques-
tion with the President
All four Senators invited o-day, and
all four for tomorrow, are those who
have expressed themselves as favor
ing "a" league, and some Of them have
even been counted confidently by the
Administration leaders are being for
"the" league without change Sena-
tor McCumber frankly favors the pres
ent plan, Tor instance, though he will
vote for reservations, Or "explana-
tions," in order to obtain enough votes
for the league to ratify it with the
treaty.
Borah Attacks Secret Conferences"
Senator Nelson, the last of the Re-
publicans to-day to see the President,
was still at the White House when
Senator Borah, on the floor of the Sem
ate launched vigorous attack against
"secret conferences behind closed doors
at the White House." and insisted that
if there was really any interest in how
the American people telt on this ques-
ton, they should be permitted to vote
this league up or down.
While the President was emphasiz-
ing in conferences the tremendous i'm
pcrtance of the Shantung section Of
the peace treaty, and the necessity oil
keeping the reasons Tor it from being
revealed to the American people. Sen.
ator Sherman, of Illinois, was deliv.
ering a caustic address attacking thi.
section.
A curious development OF the da,
was that Senator Colt, one of thos,
who received an invitation to the Whit
House, had been scheduled to speal
late this afternoon. He wished to de
liver his speech, however, before an
not after going to the White House
so he persuaded Senator Sherman, VIII
had right of way through announce
ment, to yield him the opportunity t
speak first.
Democrats Congratulate Colt
Senator Colts speech seemed to Civ
great satisfaction to both sides. II
declared that he had an open mind O
reservations, though he left little dou,
that he thought reservations on INN
grafton and the Monroe Doctrine wei
necessary, while a limitation of ii
time during which Article X shou
run. pexhAns until tho new nstio,