New-York tribune., 1919-12-18
Hoke Smith and Myers
Ask Colleagues Drop
Politics and Agree ON
a Reservations Program
knox Resolutions
| On Peace Deferred
McKellar and Nelson OBJ
ject, and Proposals Go
to Foreign Committee
By Carter Field
Nss1 York TvDstsle
WdshiH0t11 RuvsnA


Washington Bursos
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.-Hope
for early ratification of the peace
treaty was considerably revived TO-
day by brief but highly important
debate. This was the first mention
Of the treaty on the floor of the Sen
ate since President Wilson's Sunday
night statement that he had mo
compromise OF concession of any
kind in his mind" but would let the
blame remain with the Republican
Senators.
Senator Knox started. the discus
sion by asking unanimous consent
for consideration first of his resolu-
ton declaring peace, and when this
was prevented by objection from
Senator McKellar, Democrat, for his
second resolution, which approves
the peace treaty so far as it relates
to establishing peace between the
United States and Germany. Con
sent TO this was refused by Senator
Nelson, Of Minnesota, mild reser-
vationist."
Mr.. Knox then had both resolu-
tons referred to the Foreign Rela-
tions Committee, which he hopes will
report them very shortly, so that
they can be taken up by the Senate
If no agreement meanwhile is
reached on the treaty-early in Jan
uary.
Two Ready to Bolt
Two Administration Senator'S, how
ever, Hoke Smith. of Georgia, and
Myers. Of Montana, made brier
speeches. Both asserted that politics
was being played with the treaty on
both sides, and demanded compro-
mise that would permit ratification.
Mr.. Smith voted for ratification With
the committee reservations, and
against ratification without any reser-
vations. when the votes we're taken on
November 10. Senator Myers voted for
ratification both with and without re-
servations.
The two Democratic Senators were
sure that the treaty could OF be rati-
fed without reservations. and strong
reservations. Their speeches served
notice on their Democratic colleagues
that they would not tolerate following
the "immovable" position attributed 20
the President, and evidenced, in the
Cnjnion ~ Nv
ident's statement.
This notice WAS regarded as the
more significant since both Hoke
Smith and Myers are understood to
be lined up with Senator Hitchcock In
the leadership fight and against Son
ator Underwood who has taken far
more compromising attitude than the
Nebraska leader.
Another significant element OF the
debate was the declaration of Senator
Nelson, with the exception of Senator
McCumber perhaps the mildest res-
ervationist on the Republican side. that
in the event ratification Of the treaty
seemed impossible he would support a
motion to ratify the treaty all except
the league of nations.
Mccormick Stirs Up Situation
Such a proposal has been discussed
considerably on the Republican side,
some of the irreconcilables stating
that they might vote for it holding
their noses" Some of them would
vote against 1t, however, because Of
the Shantung section, the labor clauses,
the Saar Basin, the Polish corridor
ject.
The debate was concluded by SEN
ator Mccormick of the "irrecon-
cilable" element, who, apparently sear-
ing that too much harmony was being
created. stirred up the situation by a
vigorous speech in behalf OF the John
son amendment, which would give the
United Staes an equal vote in the
league of nations assembly with the
British Empire. He warned that this
would continue to be an Issue if the
treaty were ratified
Under the surface things are hap
pening on which hopes for ratification
depend. As matter of fact, there
are practically no conferences over res
ervations, at this stage, between Dem
ocrats and Republicans. They are
coming, but from careful canvass Or
the men OH the Republican side whom
the Democrats regard as reasonable"
thew have not occurred yet.
There have been some approaches.
but nothing which got down to an ae-
tual discussion of reservations.
Democrats Take Initiative
What is happening is just now mostly
on the Democratic side, where there IL
careful feeling out of sentiment, with
most OF the Administration Senators
very anxious to avoid anything which
might have the semblance of blot"
That very word Is obnoxious Even
Senator Underwood, despite the vigor
of his statement yesterday. was much
disturbed over the fact that the news
papers in printing it very generally
used the word bolt"
AS each Senator finds that his col
leagues have advanved little toward
| the stage of accentinc, xirorons xosa-