New-York tribune., 1919-08-14
Hitchcock's Demand for
Report by Committee
Is Resented by Fall;
Harsh Language Used
Majority Claimed
For 2 Amendments
Administration Confident
That Upper House Will
Accept Shantung Part
NeW York Tribune
WashiuOtOu Burcnu

matum TO the Republican leaders
from the Administration, demanding
an immediate report of the peace
treaty, precipitated bitter row in the
Foreign Relations Committee to-day
Harsh language was used by Senator
Hitchcock, who voiced the Administra-
tion demand, and by Senator Fall, of
New Mexico, who resented the crti-
cism Of delay.
Important features of the treaty
situation of which the stormy session
of the committee was the climax fol
low:
FIRST-A majority for two textual
amendments to the treaty-that on
Shantung and one giving the United
States an equal vote in the league as
sembly with the British Empire, is
claimed by Senator George II. Moses.
This is in addition to d majority for
at least four reservations Chose of
RooN and declaration on the Irish
question.
SECOND - Administration Leader
Hitchcock conceded that the Foreign
Relations Committee would report the
treaty out with at least four reserva-
tlons and one amendment-that of
Shantung. This is the Republican pro-
lf"mme, as described in The Tribune
this morning.
Hitchcock Predicts Victory
THIRD Scnator Hitchcock claimed
"forty-odd" votes soli against any
reservation or amcndment he has
made no canvass ON Shantung, but s.
sure it will be defeated in the Senate.
FOURTH-Thc calling of General
Bliss, Colonel +. NJ. House, Captain
Hornbeck. Professor +. T. Williams
aud William c. Bullitt was de-
manded of Chairman Lodge by Sena-
tors Hiram johnson and Borah in a
Joint letter. CAPTAIN Hornbeck and
Professor Williams resigned as expe rts
Of the American peace delegation af-
ter writing protests against Shantunp.
and Mr.. Rullitt resigned, Secretary Of
State Lansing testified, because he did
not like the treaty.
FIF'TH-As a result of the anper
raised by the Hitchcock utimatum. it
is conceded that Chairman Lodge can
not carry out his purpose as expressed
yesterday, of rushing the treaty
through without hearing more wit
nesses.
"The point is just this" said Sena-
tor Hitchcock after the meeting. when
asked if he did not think it would ad-
vance the cause of the treaty to have
Colonel House appear and give the
committee and the country information
winch Secretary Lansing was unable or
unwilling to furnish, 81 do not believe
that any testimony which could be pro-
II T1,r
committee either way.
Members Minds Made In
Every member has his mind made up
Just how he will vote on every uues.
ton. Frankly ] expect the treaty to
be manhandled in committee. 1t will be
amended or reserved to death. But the
committee is not fairly representative
OF the Senate. In the Senate we will
undo the harm which has been done
the treaty in committee. A majority in
the committee is actually in favor Of
killing the league OF nations
so ] told the committee to-day that
unless | could be given some assurances
OF the attitude of the majority Iswould
be forced to appeal to the Senate to
take the treaty out of the committees
hands. am not particularly concerned
as TO what the committee does, so long
as 1t takes this action speedily Let
us get the fight out on the Senate
floor, where it belongs"
During the row in committee Mr.
Hitchcock was forced to concede that
Secretary Lansing had not given the
committee very much information.
The witnesses sent by the Presi-
dent Senator Lodge is quoted as hav-
ing said, "have given us little but
evaslve answers. The President has
refused to appear before the commit
tee, but has suggested that we should
go to the White House. Why we
should wait on him with our hats in
our hands is more than l can under
stand.'
Will Not Rush Report
Senator Lodge does not believe that
the committee will be able to obtain
any more information, but in view of
the "ultimatum" he has been not onlv
weakened in his plan to rush the re-
port, but has lost some of his own de-
sire TOR speed, some of his colleagues
declared tonight
Meanwhile Senator Hiram johnson.
the moving spirit of those who wish
much more information before taking
any action, characterized the desire Of
the Admlnlstration to railroad the
treaty without giving the Senate any
facts as monstrous." Mr.. johnson
called on his colleagues to note that
the Administrations own witnesses be-
fore the committee had admitted that
no one could tell the. extent of the OBJ
legations the United States was as
suming until not only the Austrian
treaty, but the treaties with Bulgaria,
turkey, Czecho- -SlovaKla and Jugo-
Slavla have been obtained.
Senator Borah to-day made it clear
that he would vote for any amendment
or strong reservation that would
weaken the league or any Objectionable
Il feature of the treaty, reserving the
right to vote against the league and
the treaty on the final rollcall. He
wlll not, however, vote for the so-called
reservations. The Demo-
Gratis had hoped Senator Borah would
vote against reservations because he
believed them Intellectual.
A deduction made by Republican
Senators from the Administrations
urging Of haste, after claiming that
every day made the task of ratifying
the treaty without reservations easier.
was that the Administration has d;s