Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-11-19

f the treaty with the for
eign relations reserva-
ton was laid before a
conference of the admin
istration senate forces today by DEM
ocratic Leader Hitchcock.
The committee program, the Presi-
dent wrote, would provide not for
ratification. but rather for the NULL
fication of the treaty"
The conference had been called to
decide upon the final administration
tactics in the fight for ratification
which is expected to come to an end
today or tomorrow, After the Presi-
dents letter was read there was in.
dication that unless compromise
could be effected the administration
senators would line up almost solidly
against ratification.
The Presidents letter, addressed to
! Senator Hitchcock, and dated yester-
day, follows
/ MY Dear Senator:
/ You were good enough to bring
1 me word that the democratic SEN
| ators supporting the treaty expect
ed to hold conference before the
final votes on the Lodge resolution
of ratification and that they would
be glad to receive word of counsel
from ME.
II should hesitate to offer it in
any detail. but | assume that the
| a. tr,1r
upon the allimportant question OF
the final vote on the resolution con-
tanning the many reservations or
Senator Lodge. On that | cannot
hesitate. for in my opinion the res
olution in that form does not pro-
vide for ratification. blt rather for
the notification of the treaty. ] sin
cerely hope that the friends and
supporters of the treaty will vote
against the Lodge resolution of rat
ificaton
1T is understood that the door
viii probably then be open for
genuine resolution Of ratification.
Il trust that all true friends OF
the treaty will refuse TO support
the Lodge resolution.
cordially and sincerely yours,
WOODROW WILSON,"
The Presidents reference to an OPP
portunity to vote on genuine ratf-
tication resolution referred to the
( plans of the democrats to get action
on an unreServed resolution after
they had voted down the Lodge pro.
nosal That plan apparently has been
/ blocked. however by the decision OF
! the mild reservationist republicans to
stand with republican Leader Lodge
against providing such an opportunity
The democratic leaders, however.
say they have been promised chance
TO vote on an unreserved resolution
, before the committee resolution
, comes to roll call and should the
latter fail they expect the mild group
to bring the committee draft back be-
fore the senate on motion to re-
consider In the latter eventuality
their plan is to present amendments
which will make the reservation ac-
ceptable II is known to be the pur-
pose of Senator Lodge on the other
hand to force the administration sen"
ators to make their compromise pro.
pOsals before the committee reSolu.
tion is voted on
Today's coiA.ence took up that
situation with the leaders hopeful
that they might obtain such modifica-
ton OF the resolution as would enable
them to vote for il.
Republican leader Lodge in a formal
statement predicted that the Senate
would not obey orders of President
Wilson with regard to the treaty.
1t was understood that the RepnD-
licans had manifested a Willingness
to insert a provisio by which the res
, ervatiOns could be accepted by the
other powers by their merely Not oh.
I jecting to- them.
n AT the outset Senator Lodge asked
: unanimous consent for an immediate
7 vote on unuualification. Admlntsfra-
: ton leader Hitchcock said the Dedo'
= rats preferred to wait until the Lodge
= resolution had been voted on. Senator
= edge then withdrew his request ana
the debate on the Lodge resolution be-
| gan
$ Republican leaders said they would
2 endeavor 10 prevent consideration OF
!. any substitute resolutions from the mi.
g ncrity. hut would agree o reconsider