Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-11-18
LIFE OF TREATY
 APPEARS TO BE
 IN THE BAL ANCE
Wilson Threatens to Withdraw Document if Reservations
 Are Made to Stand.
BOTH SIDES ARE
 STIFFENED IN FIGHT
Democrats Prepare Overtures for Compromise But Meet With No Encouragement--Le
 Keep Stiff Front.

Washington, Nov. 17.-On the eve President Wilson gave the senate to understand today that unless it modi- fled the reservations already adopt ed he would take the treaty back to the white house and lock it up in his desk.
 The first effect of the warning was to stiffen the lines on both sides of the senate fight. Then comprom- ise proposals of many kinds were thrown out by the democrats, in a final effort to break into the ma- jority program. They found the treaty's republican friends, all of whom had voted for the reservations disposed to listen but to promise nothing, and tonight the life of the treaty seemed to hang on a slender thread.
 A decision is planned for Wednes- day and under the cloture rule, the leaders say, it cannot be delayed be- yond Thursday or Friday. Tomor- row the senate will remain in ses- sion until it has cleared away all proposed reservations, leaving noth- ing to do but act upon the ratifica- tion resolution itself. Four reser- vations, two of them proposed by the foreign relations committee, were voted down today and none was adopted.
 The presidents determination was made known at a White House con- ference with Democratic Leader Hitchcock, who declared afterward that MT. Wilson never would have an opportunity to pocket the treaty, because his supporters in the sen- ate would vote down any ratification resolution that contained unaccept- able reservations. The senate lead CT reiterated his belief that once such a resolution is defeated there will be a compromise that will keep the treaty alive.
 Preamble Obnoxious.
 Hope of such development had setback later in the day. howev- CT, when a number of the mild reser- vation republicans agreed to vote with Republican Leader Lodge against consideration of any alter nate resolution of ratification after the first one has been rejected. Vice President Marshall has indicated he will rule an alternate proposal in order, and the democrats have count- ed on help from the mild reservation ists to sustain that ruling. How many of the republicans will be bound by today's contrary decision tempted uncertain tonight.
 Today's efforts at a compromise were conducted in a round about way. Senator Hitchcock declaring he would reserve his direct offer until after the mild reservationists had been released from their pledges to the majority. by defeat of the ma- iority resolution of ratification. He had intended to bring all the treaty's friends on both sides of the chamber into conference today. but he found the republicans unwilling to negoti- ate until they had completed the pro- gram to which they had aereed.
 It was made the preamble to the reservation group, recurring that the senate qualifications be accepted by three of the other great powers, which the president found particular lv displeasing and against which the democrats are expected to direct most of their fight for a comprom- ise. The reservation to article 10 is understood to stand next in disfavor among the administration forces. but there were broad intimations today that the democrats would be glad to accept several of the other 13 reser- vations which the senate had adopt ed.