Norwich bulletin., 1919-12-12

Washington, Dec. 1.-The first open discussion of the peace treaty in the senate at this session of congress came today during the debate on the rail road bill.,-
 Senator Lodge. the republican leader. and Senator Lenroot of Wisconsin. leader of the mild reservation" group of republican senators. declared the treaty as dead until again submitted by the president, and charged the democrats with responsibility for the failure to ratify it at the special ses- sion.
 Senator Underwood. democrat, Ala bama, said the treaty could be called up at any time by a majority vote and in turn charged, the republicans with responsibility for the failure of the senate to act.
 The treaty debate lasted about an hour, but without result so far as fu- ture plans for it's disposition are con cerned and ended with statement by Senator Thomas, democrat. Colorado, that both sides having passed and re- passed the busk" it Was time for the senate to turn to real business.
 The treaty was brought to the fore when. Senator Underwood in demand ing prompt passage of the railroad bill charged the republicans with failure to enact any substantial legislation and cited defeat of the treaty as re- publican derehction. Senators Lodge and Lenroot promptly challennged the Alabama senator. asserting the demo- erat are responsible for present inac- tion on the treaty.
 "The blame lies on the. democratic side and on the president" said Sen ator Lenroot. reviewing the senate's procedure on Nov. 19 ard charging that "propaganda" exists to hold the republicans responsible for the present status. Before the vote on the Lodge resolution. Senator Lenroot said, the republicans repeatedly asked Senator Hitchcock, who was not present dur l ing tcday's discussion, to suggest som' 1 counter proposition, but that non' came not yet has been presented. 1 Until he does there is no way bl ; which the treaty can be ratified. thu 1 Wisconsin, senator added.
 '"rhc senator has been trying to pu i the blame for the whole treaty situa | ton in this side" Senator Underwood | replied. He can't do that. Th' meat The treaty is lying on the vlc' presidents table and majority of th | senate can take it up at any time
 The treaty is not before us" Sen 1 ator Lodge interjected.c Tt can't b 1 taken up. The, senate has overrule' l three times 2 the proposition the sen ator from Alabama puts forth. It con itravenes every preeedent and ever, principle Of nar.liam eTdary procedure. i Deny Ing MT. Lodge assertions Sen ator Ui1derwood said the only thini disposed of was the proposed resolu i ton. of ratification and .contended tha the treaty itself still is pending. q know" Senator Underwood con
 tinued. -sthat as long. as the major1t
 on that. (republican) side says tn
 treaty is dead it is dead temporaril
 because nobody can do anything wit it because a majority won't vote t take it up. But if the majority de
 sired to resurreet the treaty we coul
 do it.
 "The president. can withdraw and re
 submit it the same day" Senator Lodg
 interjected.
 And the senate also can tell tn
 president that the treaty is dead" Nj
 Underwood eountered. q think it
 proper for the majority to notify tn
 president, which has not been done."