Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-08-22
NOT POSSIBLE To
RATIFY TREATY IN
ITS PRESENT FORM
Compromise Proposal by Pitt
man Not Satisfactory to ADJ
miniStration Leaders or to
Republican Senators.
Icy So7nrns JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED wrs5l


Washington, Aug. 21.-The compro-
mise proposal to have the senate adopt
peace treaty reservations but keep
them separate from the ratification it
self, was put aside Indefinitely today
after democratic leaders had declined
to assume responsibility for it and re-
tpublicans of all shades of opinion had
given notice they could not accept it.
Among the republicans the devel-
opment was interpreted as meaning
that action would never be sought on
the proposal in its present form, and
democratic leaders generally said they
had no plans for bringing it to a vote.
Meantime, White House an
nouncement at an executive session of
the foreign relations committee,
brought to the surface again two other
issues of the treaty fight.
President Wilson, rep 'ying to a sug-
gestion that he might put the country
on a peace basis by declaring the war
at an end announced that he not only
considered himself powerless to take
such step, but considered a peace
declaration either by himself or con-
gress prior to ratification of the trea-
ty would put stain upon our ma
tional honor" by. evading responsible
ity in the world peace settlement
viii Continue Hearings.
The foreign relations committee got
into another argument over prompt
committee action on the treaty which
ended by a decision without a record
vote. to continue its hearings to re-
ceive the cases of the Irish, Greek,
Lithuanian, Ukrainian, Esthonian and
Lettish races.
In every democratic quarter, includ-
ing the White House, it was indicated
that the compromise propose! as pre-
scented yesterday in a resolution by
Senator Pittman of Nevada, a demo-
ciat of the committee, was not spe-
officially sponsored by the president
though it followed generally his sug-
gestion to the committee Tuesday re-
garding reservations.
Senator Pittman issued a statement,
saying the president had no knowl-
edge of the resolution, and Senator
Hitchcock of Nebraska the admins
tration leader, indicated that in no
sense was the move inspired by the
administration. There was no formal
expression from the White House.
Hoped To Expedite Action.
In his statement, Mr. Pittman said
his idea in. presenting the measure
was to expedite action on the treaty.
He insisted that he would ask for ac-
ton later. He argued that acceptance
of the reservations proposed could be
gained from the nations who will con-
tro, the league of nations council, thus
making it possible to ratify the treaty
with the assurance that the disputed
sections of the covenant would not
be interpreted to the disadvantage of
this country.
There was increasing evidence dur
ing$the day, however, that the group
of republicans Who have agreed on
reservations similar to those in the
Pittman resolution, would withhold
their approval from any plan not con-
templating inclusion of the qualifica-
lions in the ratification itself. Re-
publican leaders say they were ready
for a vote today if the democrats
wanted to bring the Pittman reso.u-
ton to a roll call.
President Wilson's announcement or
his stand against a peace declaration
was made in a letter to Senator Fall,
republican, New Mexico, replying too
a list of questions submitted by the
latter. At the same time, Mr.. Wilson
explained the treaty provision turn
ing over the German colonies to the
five principal powers by, saying II
vested only a trusteeship over the
colonies pending a permanent ar
rangement for their government.