The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-20
WILSON'S DEBATE
WITH SOLONS ON
TREATY UNIQUE
CONTINUED From first Page)


she would participate in the punish
ment OF a nation that violated the
territorial integrity or political indie
pendence OF a signatory, to the treaty,
The president handled himself IN
masterful fashion. He never hesitated
with an answer and seemed full OF his
subject. The senators, moreover, dis
played no animus or personal feeling in
their questions n accorded Mr.. VIII
son the utmost courtesy, Indeed there
was an entente Cordiale which was
even assisted by Mr.. Wilson'S invita-
tion to the senators to lunch with him
after the conference,
The scene was unique. Nothing like
II ever happened before. The big Iron
gates OF the White House which nave
been locked during the greater part OF
the war were thrown open to admit the
several senators who came In groups
or individually, sope in their big mo
tors and limousines, some In their ltt-
neys. and some .afoot. Senator Lodge,
Republican, drove w in a big Packard.
Senator Williams, Democrat, followed
with a Ford. Senator Borah walked
Under his arm he carried a bulky copy
Of the .treaty-he looked like a school
boy going to class. Senators Swanson
and Hitchcock, the two Democratic
leaders, motored up the drive talking
senator McCumber. Republican.
drove his own seyen-passenger ear;
Senator johnson, Republican, nodded
out Of the big glass windows Of his
limousine as the correspondents watch
cd the historic procession, Senator
Fall. Of New Mexico, Republican. and
Senator Mark smith, Of Arizona, Demo-
crat. conspicuous chums of the senate,
strolled up the White House walk to-
gether followed by Senator Henry New,
Of Indiana, Republican, Sand Senator
Moss, OF New Hampshire. Senator
Pomerene, Democrat, came In a little
electric, Nriven by his wife, Senator
Pittman, Democrat, and Senator Knox,
Senator Harding and Senator Bran
degee, came singly but in big cars,
one wondered what Clay or Webster
and the men Of "A half century ago
would have thought Of the modern way
OF calling on the president, There was
dignity In it-much the same as one
might expect TO see In Europe-but all
seemed 10 feel that the occasion was
momentous and calling for dignity,
Peace treaties are not considered every
day.
a smle, The meeting was held In the
big east room, Secretary Tumulty,
stage manager of the affair, had ar
ranged typewriters, desks and facilities
for newspaper men in the corridors just
below the east room. Here came relays
OF expert ltnOETdplcES WHO diNtI LAX
ing down about Is minutes or the de-
bate would sit down beside the typist
and dictate what had been said. The
correspondents heard the dictation
alongside of Secretary Tumulty and
other White House officials. II seem
cd like the running account of a foot
ball or baseball match. As each point
was made correspondents turned to one
another and remarked, the president
certainly answers that s%plendidly," on
Senator Borah's got him there" Near
~ 100 correspondents were gathered
there and the public got the textual ac-
count Of what has happening with un.
sociations conveyed the transcript OF
the debate to all parts OF the country
and the world.
Many OF the questions were techni-
cal and OF little interest to the average
observer. Many were legal; many in
volved disputes Of long standing about
the power OF reservation or an amend.
ment, To all suggestions that the
United States might embody her under
standing Of the treaty in the text OF
the ratifying resolution, MIR. WILSON
answered again and again as he did
IN the opening statsnent. He feared
II would open up tho whole thing anew
other countries would want reserva-
lions along lines Of domestic policy ant
the cumulate effect Of the treaty woulC
be nullified.
He made 1t clear, too, that Germany,
consent would be necessary. He dldn'
feel like asking Germany's consent Il
Americas understandings. They nigh
be embodied in separate declaration
and be a notification OF the limit o
American purposes hut a contract wa
q contract and anything put In the rati,
flying resolution that modified the con,
tract would impair the limits of tn,
contract.
Really Is Warning.
Mr.. Wilson made a final appeal for al
u~namended treaty though he clearl,
showed that he did not oppose the pro,
gram repeatedly suggested Of putting
Americas understanding of the treat,
in a joint resolution and passing {
separately, And this may be the out
I'm Of 1t all though many Of the sena
tors were not inclined TO accept Nh
Wilson'S judgment Of what would hap
pen II they did qualify the treaty witt
RESERVATIONS, But they know that Mi
Wilson warned them and they mus
he ready TO accept the political re
sponsibiity Of delaying the treaty o
bringing about situations which MI
Wilson forecast might arise.
Also 1t Is the beginning of MIR. vii
sons appeal to the country. He wi
continue TO issue statements of expla
nation IT necessary, And II the senat
overrules his Judgment and puts re
seryations in the treaty, he win with
draw the pact n begin negotiation
again,
But the very air breathed compro
mise. Aud without INDUCING an OK
cess OF optimism one got the impressio
that at least the president and senat
getting together in the kind OF heal
TO heart talk that would have helpe
matters a great deal two or five month
ago, Anyway, both sides have bee
compelled to come out in the open a
last. The lines of cleavage are bein
drawn, And before another week., Al
ultimate fate of the treaty win ~b
known.
copyright, 1919, by David Lawrence