The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-12
President, Long at Odds With
Nebraskan, Makes Virginian
White House Spokesman.
CHANGE CAUSES SURPRISE
George Wharton Pepper Asks
Pertinent Questions Regard
ing Leagues Provisions.
Special Dsspafch to THE suS.


shift in the Democratic programme Of
defence of the Presidents League Of
Nations covenant as an integral and
essential feature Of the peace pact
with Germany was taken to-day when
announcement was made that the
opening salvo Of oratory would be dis
charged In the Senate Monday by
Senator Swanson Cva.) instead Of by
Senator Hitchcock (Neb.). the acting
minority leader Of the Senate.
Throughout the period that has
elapsed since the Peace Conference.
largely at the request Of President
Wilson, determined to involve the
league covenant in the peace treaty
with the Germans. Senator Hitchcock
has been the defender Of the faith Of
democracy in the plans and purposes
Of the Chief Executive. Since publica-
ton Of the text Of the covenant 1t has
been Senator Hitchcock who was
looked to by the league critics as car
rying the sword and buckier Of the
Presidents Senatorial following on all
questions Of the new foreign policy.
From the assembling Of the Sixty
sixth Congress and reorganization Of
the Senate by the Republicans 1t has
been Senator Hitchcock who has risen
each time the League Of Nations was
under discussion. to explain. justify
and support the proposed compact in
the face of the shafts Of criticism
launched by Senators Borah Qdaho),
Johnson (CaD. Knox (Pa.). Reed
Presidents new internationalism.
To-day Senator Hitchcock Is at
Swampscott, where he went for the re-
freshing airs OF the north coast and an
opportunity for some good golf, and Sem
ator Swanson Is at the helm.
swanson Denies Substitution.
Senator Swanson was at pains to make
categorical denial OF the suggestion that
Senator Hitchcock had been deposed as
Presidential spokesman and himself
chosen in tho Ssbraskan's stead. but the
simple facts were too obvious to mako
the denial stand up. Senator Hitchcock.
nominal leader of the Administration
forces, is out of Washington at this crit
ical season and Senator Swanson. the
handpicked Hamlet OF the Democratic
tragedy, Is in his dressing room prepar-
ing for his first appearance In his new
role.
The President did not recognize the
assumption of Administration leadership
which Senator Hitchcock had undertaken
in his absence. When the special COM
mittee of hve Senators. all committee
members of Foreign Relations and
headed by Senator LodOe (Mass.). went
to the White House on Wednesday to
notify tho President that the Senate
would give ear to his explanation of the
purposes OF the league yesterday. the
President was careful not to make his
welcome any more cordial to Mr.. Hitch
cock than that he vouchsafed the recall
citrant Mr.. Borah.
Yesterday when the same committee
went forth to welcome the official head
OF the nation and lead him in through
the Senate portal similar treatment was
accorded the self-supposed leader.
When the President retired to his
anteroom at the conclusion OF his pre-
sentation OF his case Democratic Sena-
tors gathered about him for counsel, bu:
Mr.. Hitchcock was not In the group. The
President consulted principally with Sem
ators Swanson, Williams (Miss). Phelan
(Cal) and Pittman (Nev.). Then Mr..
Hitchcock transferred his activities to
Swampscott links
No explanation OF the Presidents
change In the personnel OF his defence
battalion leader was forthcoming from
the White House. but In Senate circles
It Is known that tho devotion of tho
Nebraskan to the cause of the League Of
Nations was founded on his genuine per-
sonal conviction of the worth Of the
scheme and was not an effort on his
part to climb on the Administration
Rand wagon to serve personal ends or
ambitions The rebuff administered by
the President has cut him deeply, never
theless. During the whole period of the
war and indeed before the entry Of
America into the struggle Hitchcock has
been at loggerheads with the Admins
tration.
Hitchcock Helped Foil Bryan.
Since long before the war there has
Draslcan Senator and the President. It
disclosed itself frst when Hitchcock was
a member OF tho Senate Banking and
Currency Committee and the Federal
reserve currency act was in tho making.
Then Hitchcock stood with Senators
Weeks (Maas) and Reed against some
OF the suggestions for formulation of the
system which William J. Bryan wanted
Incorporated, and helped largely to
render the measure a sane provision for
currency reform.
Later In the earlier days OF the war
the attitude OF Hitchcock was adverse
to the Presidents course In dealing with
the German Government. More than
eighteen months ago he Joined with
Chairman Chamberlain in the efforts OF
the Senate Military Committee to fnd
just how much of a muddis the AFFAIRS
OF the American army were In, and these