New-York tribune., 1919-11-17
President May Hold Treaty.
Is Nullif1ed by Preamble
Might Withdraw 1t From Senate Consideration ON
Ground That Three of the Four Signatories Are
Required to Accept the Reservations in Writing

Jugo-Slav state is bound to weaken
their position.
France is on the eve of a general
election. the first since before the war,
and feeling 10 running high. 1t is not
difficult to imagine with what gravity
French Statesmen regard the "aban-
donment" of their country by the
United States.
The suggestion has been made that
the Senate make formal declaration
that the United States would not view
with unconccrn any attack upon free
government in Europe. How much of
guarantee the French would consider
such a declaration may be Judged If
their insistence on the triple defcn-
sive alliance treaty is recalled.
Still Hope for Compromise
Administration supporters think
there is possibility of a compromise
being reached when the deadlock comes
after the Lodge reservations have been
accepted, but it has been found impos-
sible to get a two thirds majority for
ratification. They believe the senti-
ment of the country is about onethird
for ratification without reservation,
one-third for ratification with reser-
vation and one-third for rejection of
the treaty. In the third class they put
Wiki and all others who desire to over
turn the present order, and lastly those
who are honestly and sincerely op-
posed to the acceptance Of any for
eign obligations. When the deadlock
is reached they believe the voice of
the majority of the country will be
heard in favor of ratification and the
elimination of all features calculated
to embarrass and weaken the treaty.
The administration forces intend to tell
the country just what the alternatives
are.
In all this jockeyng and maneuver-
ing each side always has been anxious
to clear itself of responsibility for de
lay, Next it will be battle of wits
to festen responsibility for defeat, I'M
less q compromise is reached. The
President does not intend to disavow
the pledges he gave at Paris, even
though they were conditional. Those
Senators who figured he would be COM
PEELED to accept anything they did have
underestimated him, according to his
close supporters.
Republicans Lack Votes
Within the Democratic ranks there
is considerable divergence of view and
considerable number of Senators
favor the immediate ratification of the
treaty despite their objection to the
Lodge reservations. However, their
number is too small to give the Rcpub-
licans the necessary two thirds ma or
ity.
Senator Hitchcock, the Administra-
tions leader in the Senate, is con-
sidered too optimistic by his colleagues
in his belief that the opponents of the
treaty will be willing to compromise
when they find they are !, able to COM
pletc their full program. He thinks
that if il was possible to get the treaty
through without amendment there is
an even chance Of ratifying it without
multiplying its most important provi-
sions.
Certainly there has been no stage of
the long fight at which the fate of the
treaty was more in doubt. A fore
cast would be ridiculous because no
one knows how ar either side is will
ing to go in the way of compromise
The Republicans are in the better
strategic position at the moment.