New-York tribune., 1919-10-22
Refuses to Agree to Debate
Limitation, Sends Word to
President There'll Be No
Vote for Week or 10 Days
Defes Own Followers
Declines Any Compromise;
McCumber Offers 7 Res
ervations, | to Article X
Bv Carter Field
Nsc YORK Tribune
Washington Bureau


Nsic Yorl; Tribune
Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 - Despite
bitter criticism from some of his fell
low Democrats, Administration Leader
Hitchcock to-day definitely decided to
nlay waiting game in the fight to
ratify the peace treaty. Mr. Hitchcock
spurned proposal by Senator Pen
rose. who is anxious to get the treaty
ont of the way that the debate be ex-
pedited serving notice there would be
considerable discussion from the Demo-
cratic side.
Late in the day, after 8 meeting of
the Democratic members Of the For
eign Relations Committee. at which
other Administration leaders were
present. Mr.. Hitchcock wrote a note to
Dr, Grayson, saying the President
could be informed that there would be
no action on the treaty for at least q
week or ten days.
Urged to Compromise
At the Democratic pow-wow, how
ever. Mr.. Hitchcock was warmly urged
by some of the Democratic Senators,
including, it was said, Senator Shields,
of Tennessee, to go ahead and COM
promise on the best reservations he
could get.
At the same time, the Republican
reservation program was perceptibly
strengthened by the introduction of
series of compromise reservations by
Senator McCumber, of North Dakota
the best friend of the league and
treaty on the Republican side The
reservations were not only generally
regarded as strong, but the one on
Article X is. word for word. the reser-
vation which the President in his Salt
Lake speech declared would "cut the
heart out of the Covenant and which
Senator Hitchcock has fatty said
would amount to killing the treaty.
Mr.. Hitchcock has been positive that
the adoption of such q reservation
would be equivalent to adopting an
amendment, and that he will not &C
cept.
Confirms Lodge Statement
Mr.. McCumber's action to-day was
confirm alton of Senator Lodges as
sertion. printed Monday morning, that
the forty-nine Republican Senators
were all agreed on q program of reser-
vations, and that the one on Article
was the one denounced by the
President.
This will force Senator Hitchcock
either to admit that his deadlock
threat" was a bluff or to vote his fol-
lowers against the ratification resolu-
ton containing this reservation.
There are whispers that some of the
Southern Democratic Senators will be
ready enough to follow Mr.. Hitchcock
in voting against the Lodge ratifica-
~
at the same time indorse that pro-
gram, but that. they will be satisfied
when this is done and may be willing
to let the treaty die.
No confirmation Of this or names
Of Senators involved could be obtained,
but the rumor is persistent and is
worrying the Administration leaders
considerably. especially as it is known
that at Weast half a dozen Southern
Democrats who are going to vote
against all reservations and amend
ments are secretly opposed to the
treaty and would be much pleased If
It could be killed without their being
attacked for party irregularity or dis
loyalty to President Wilson.
Jones Offers Reservations
Senator Jones of Washington to-day
introduced reservation which would
take the United States out of the
league automatically in two years if
the German concessions in China are
not restored to that country by Japan
and unless three other conditions are
complied with. Here is the text Of
his reservations
Tho }ollowing is proposed as an ad.
d'tional paragraph in the resolution o.
ratification:
THE United States hereby gives
notice that it will withdraw from the
league Of nations at the end of two
years from the date of the exchange
OF ratihcations Of this treaty unless
by the end of that period
I'd The sovereignty of China shall
have been fully restored over and in
Shantung;
"(2) The relations Of Ireland to tn.
British Empire shall have been adjust
Cd satisfactorily TO the people of Ire.
land;
."(3) The independence of Egyp,
shall be recognized and that country
set up as free, independent and SOW
ereign state;
80 Each member OF tho League
shall have abolished through the dull,
constituted authority the policy O.
maintaining its regular military ane
naval forces in time Of peace oy coz
scription"
Johnson Wants New Test
Senator Hiram Johnson intends t,
nave another test vote on Snantung
tnia tine moving TO amend the treat,
Dy providing that the German conces
slons there must be transferred t
nina within one year.
want 10 see how they Will vot
On That" he commented, speaking O