The Washington times., 1919-12-31
PLANQU|z ON
LEAGUE STAND
G. o. P. Senators Prepare Let
ters to Determine Attitude of
Presidential Candidates

Senators who are determined to
make the League of Nations an is
sue In the next campaign are ready
to demand that candidates now in
the race for the Republican Presi-
Dental nomination declare them
selves Immediately on the league,
Letters have been prepared, to be
sent all candidates who have not yet
taken Q definite stand, 1t was learned
today. Governor Frank o. Lowden
7 Of Illinois, and Gen. Leonard Wood
are among those slated to receive
sueh letters.
To Qufs Lewden First
Lowden viii be quixzed first. He
win be asked to tell whether he IA
vors American participation in the
league as II is established by the
pending treaty, and what he would
do about withdrawal il elected Presi-
dNUt
The Inquiries to be directed to the
candidates are to be so framed. ii Is
understood. that the aspirants for the
nomination wip ind it hard to ignore
them.
Neither Has Been Definite.
Neither Wood nor Lowden has %
far made any definite statement.
Senator johnson of California and
Senator Poindexter of Washington
are irreconcilaole foes of the league,
and have made their position perfect
iy clear. Senator Sutherland of West
Virginia il in favor of the Lodge res
eGvations.
In this connection it is limited that
II the treaty is ratified on q COM
promise basis, johnson will make his
campaign for the presidency on the
issue OF immediate American with
drawal from the league.
C~aprenfse Seems Near.
Deveiopments in the movement for
Q treaty compromise multiplied to-
day.
Senator Lodge, Republican leader,
NV Senator Pomerene, q leading
Democratic COMPROMISED.
Later In the day Pomerene was to
report ON his conference with Lodge
at q meeting of the Democratic men,
bers Of the Foreign Relations Com
mittee called by Senator Hitchcock,
the ranking Democratic member.
Senator Shields Of Tennessee, who
voted for Lodge reservations was the
only Democratic member not invited
TO this meeting.
MeC~ber Urges Ratifiestisn.
Senator NcCumber. q mild reserva-
tionist. who has just returned to
washington. conferred with Senators
ou both sides. Mccumber brought
hack word that the people are d, /,
DAndiug ratification.
Hftcheock today said he IL willing
TO take some chanceS on President
wilson's acceptance or rejection OF a
Senate compromise.
We've got to take chances" said
Hitchcock "The Republicans take
no chances, Of course; the Demo
Gratis must take all the risk. II We
dent Wilson should reject 1t, that
would leave US in q horrible plight
VIII &C svery Far.
Hitchcock said that in taking
chances he is willing to "go very
far"
His utterances along this line
mark q distinct change In his arti-
tude. They followed a conference
With Senator McNary. in which Nc
Nary warned Hitchcock that unless
he tries to hasten a compromise. the
Underwood resolution for a commit .e
on compromise will be passed by the
Senate, and the leadership in tha
treaty nght will be taken out ci
Hitchcock's hands. This. McNG-y
hinted, might react unfavorably on
Hitchcock's chances of being elected
permanent Democratic leader against
senator Underwood. the author of the
conciliation committee resolution.