The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-07-25
SENATORS IGNORE
TAFT SUGGESTIONS
AS THEY STORM
ATTACK ON WILSON
Republicans Now Charge
President Violated Pledge
of Presenting French
and German Treaties
simultaneously
BY Associated Press

senators were polling out the
possibilities of former Presi.
dent Taft's plan for interpre-
tations in the league ratifica
ton, the attack on President
Wilson'S course, including
peace, was renewed today from
8 new quarter.
The storm center of the as
sault was a section of the de-
fensive treaty with France
which published copies have
shown provide that it must be
presented for Senate ratifica-
ton sat the same time" as the
treaty with Germany. The lat
ter was submitted two weeks
ago; the former, brought back
from Paris by the President,
still is in his possession.
In a bitter debate Chairman Lodge
of the foreign relations committee and
Senator Brandegee, republican. Con-
necticut, accused the President of
violating the pledge of simultaneous
presentation made when he signed the
treaty and Senator Hitchcock, Nebras-
ka, and Williams Mississippi, demo-
Gratis of the committee, replied that
the charges only renewed at attempt
to "hamstring" and discredit the Pres
ident
Later Chairman Lodge presented a
resolution by which the treaty be sub
mitted so the Senate could consider it
in connection with the treaty of peace
with Germany" A request for imme-
date consideration was blocked by
Senator Robinson, democrat Arkansas
and the resolution will probably come
up tomorrow. 1t carries this quotation
from section four of the treaty, as pub
1ished:
THE present treaty will be submit
ted to the Senate at the same time as
the treaty of Versailles is submitted
to the Senate for it's advice and con-
sent to ratification"
MUM OF TAFT PROPOSALS
The suggestion of Mr.. Taft for sig
interpretations In the ratification res
oiut1on affecting the league covenant
led TO no discussion on the Senate
floor but held first place In cloak
room talk and In many conferences
n
ION Most of them seemed inclined to
look warily at the suggested plan and
70 withhold comment for the present
chairman Lodge had nothing to saw:
nefther had Senator Hitchcock. Both
however, indicated their positions had
Deen no wise changed by Mr.. Tafts
arguments.
the leadership of Senators McCumber
North Dakota, and McNary. Oregon.
are working for a middle course re-
celved the former presidents views
with enthusiasm although not commit
ting themselves specifically to his
program of interpretations. Thew
say the form of any resoluti lions or in
ferpretations still is an open question
TO them though they hope to see il
settled soon.
Shantung and the league also were
debated in the Senate, Senator Robin
son presenting the legal claims of
Japan In Shantung peninsula. Senator
F1etcher. democrat, Florida, supported
the league. and Senator Lenroot. repub-
lican- Wisconsin, declaring he could
not accept certain features of the cove
nant without reservations to safeguard
the right of independent national ac-
ton.
While 70 far as known the Japanese
government has not authorized any
statement on the Shantung question. It
Is suggested by officials that the rea-
son might be found in article 15S. sec
ton VIII of the peace treaty This
arucle requires Germany to hand over
to Japan within three months of the
coming into force of the treaty.. the ar
chlves. registers. plans, title deeds and
documents of every kind relating to
the territory of Kiao-C Chow. including
All OF the treaties on the subject. 1t
IS said tnat until these are had the
Japanese government is not able To
make any pledge of REIMBURSEMENT be-
cause u does not exactly know the
extent OF its own holdings in Kiao-
Chow and Shantung. nor unless Ger
many should anticipate the treaty pro-
visions on this point will Japan he in
position to transfer title not onlv he
Tore the final ratification of the peace
treaty. but for three months there
after.
CONFERENCES SUSPENDED
President Wilson's conferences with
republican senators at the white house
were suspended during the day and
1t was said tonight that no further in
vitations had been published On the
question whether the talks would he
resumed later, there was no executive
expression. but previous intimations at
the white house have indicated that
sooner or later the President would
ask virtually every republican mem
Der of the treaty ratifying body TO
confer with him.
u 1t developed today that Mr.. Tafts
dst of six interpretations was only ore
OF the methods of qualifying Senate
ratification discussed in letters to Mr..
Hays and to senator's
The foreign relations COMMITTEES IS
continuing in daily session reading the
treaty text, but in the opinion of some
members even this preliminary task
will not be completed for another
week. Then will come many DAYS of
discussion of the sections passed over.
including the league covenant. tae
Shantung settlement and many minor
provisions. With steady work the
leaders do not see how the treaty can
be brought out of committee in much
less than month. Then VIII follow.
1t is expected. a long season of Sem
ate debate. and the first action to be
taken will center on the amendments
which it is believed likely the commit
tee will recommend, a majority of the
members having shown their supper.
OF material changes. After the COM
mittee amendments have been disposed
of senators may offer others which |
will prolong consideration. 1t is not
until all amendments are out of the /!
way and the question of ratification
resolution Is considered that reserva-