The Washington herald., 1919-06-29
Wilson's Message
] Solidifes Enemies
J Of League in Senate

AOuntIE announcing Jne signing or
the peace treaty had this curious
psychological effect upon the Sem
ate:
1t solidified the opposition to the
ttague of nations and strengthened
the position of those who contend
5hat the treaty should not be rati-
fed without reservations protecting
american rights.
s-All the Republican Senators who
have been leading the fight against
the league noted this change which
came over the Senate as soon as the
message of the Pre- esident had been
read.
Senator Lodge. the Republican
leader. admitted that the situation
from the point of view OF those op-
posing the league was never's sat
tsfactory. Senator Borah. uncom-
promising in his opposition to the
league. said the fight had been
strengthened by the Presidents an
nouncement-
Brings Out eppOsition.
The actual signing of the treaty
also brought into the open several
Senators whose position with refer-
ence to the league has been some
what in doubt and who yesterday
- would lot support the treaty unless
reservations protecting American in
terests are Incorporated. Among such
Senators were Spencer, of Missouri.
who in q dictated interview declared
that the treaty Will not be ratified
by the senate unless reservations are
made These reservations. he said.
should be.
l. Protecting the Monroe doctrine.
, Emphasizing the right OF the
United States to settle such domes-
tic questions as the tariff. immigra-
tion and the like.
& Asserting the constitutional right
OF Congress to say when, where and
for what purpose military forces of
the United States should be sent
into conflict
Adoption of the last reservation.
Senator Spencer believes. would OBJ
viate the necessity of eliminating Ar
ucle from the covenant.
Capper Also Foe.
Senator Capper also gave out a
statement asserting with pOsitiyeness
that the treaty cannot be ratified IN
less reservations are made. Up to the
present time he has been 'ega, ded
as one who might vote for the treaty
as a whole if attempts TO am nd It
failed His statement of yesterday.
however. puts him in the class uI
those who will vote against the re I'y
nnless the covenant is changed tc
conform to American ideas.
The most significant change of atti-
tude upon the part of the Senators,
however, was in respect to McCum Der.
OF North Dakota. and McNary. of Ore
of
selves in favor of reservations to the
covenant. These two Senators nave
been considered as hopelessly commit
ted to the side Of he Democrats. VINO
ask for ratification without reserva-
tons or amendments. If they should
join the other Republicans in voting
for reservations it would insure their
adoption.
Offended Mt Tone.
Senators found it difficult to acco INT
for the peculiar effect of the fresI-
dents note upon the Senate sore
who were there ascribed it to the tone
Of the message. which to their minds
appeared to be somewhat dictatorial.
They noted particularly the second
sentence of the note, which read:
If 1t Ghe treaty. is ratified ana
acted upon in full and sincere execu-
tiOn Of its terms it will furnish the
charter for a new order of affairs in
the world.
This was construed by some Sena-
tors as a command to the Senate 10
proceed to ratify the treaty in fulr'
without change or amendment. Frank
~. a great many of the Senators, even
some Democrats, resented this tone IN
the message. Yet the Republicans
retoiced at the Presidents manner OF
speaking, because, as they asserted
it had a good deal to do with the
STRENGTHENING of the opposition to the
league.
Read I'm Senate.
The message was read in the Sem
ate by Senator Hitchcock. the Demo-
cratic leader, in the midst of the
debate on the sunory civil bill Its
reading was followed by absolute
silence on both sides of the chamber.
When Senator Hitchcock had finished,
the Senator who had the floor re-
turned to the debate by saying:
Now. Mr.. President. as 1 was say
ing" and not one word was said
about the historic event concernin.
which the President had cabIed,
The Shantung award to Japan came
conspicuously to the front in the dis
cuSsion among Senators following the
receipt of the Presidents note. IL
became apparent that sentiment i'm
the Senate regarding this award is
extremely strong. 1t was even sug-
cested that resolution may be OIL
fered In the Senate during the dis
cushion Of the treaty to lh- effect
that the Senate diSaDproved OF rho
turning over of the ShantunU Denin-