The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-08-19

Washington, August 1S.-(Special.)
Tomorrow, in the league of nations
matter. is the big day. The Senate
visit the President at the White House.
1t is a case of Mohamet going to the
mountain
The event will be not only of great
Importance. but of transcedent inter-
est Senator Lodge. chairman of the
committee, and leader of the fight
against the President and the league
of nations, asked. in his letter request
ing the interview, that nothing of
| confidential nature be said The Presi-
dent exceeding the request of the
chairman, replied: Bring your ste
nographer with you"
1t is reported to newspaper CORES
| pondents that the stenographer will be
ION the job and that his copy, for the
press, will be available as soon as his
notes, page by page, can be Transcribed.
Every line will be of value to the Amer
| lean public.
Here is the situation:
| The committee, the big majority of
| which is composed of republicans Sc
J lected especially because of their pub
lished bitter opposition to the league OF
! nations-republicans it is significant
| fact, entrusted with shaping the pres
| idential campaign next year-has be-
| come so confident that the Senate will
| amend or reject the treaty OF peace
and the league OF nations. that 1t is EN-
boldened practically to the point of be-
/ ing defiant.
| And the President, full of fight al
ways, and, in the present emergency.
aroused to the depths on account of the
| republican opposition and indicated
chance of victory, is as one who has
his back against the wall. determined
| to yield life in preference to princi-
! pie.
| It will be case of Greek meeting
| Greek, although 1t is certain everyone
| will be governed by rules of courtesy,
and tempered by parliamentary ETH
| quette. the air will be electrified, es-
pecially prepared for the match which
| will not be struck.
The republicans are preparing tc
| strike their blow. They are certain
bof their strength. But they have not
decided in exactly what spot to di-
| rect their strength. They hesitate In
order that they might become better
appraised of the temper of the people
They dare not do what inwardly they
| want to do-reject the treaty and to the
| utmost degree, humiliate the President
I They may decide to amend or simply
I to accept the document with reserva-
| TONS Pending their decision they want
to antagonize the President. They
made Secretary Lansing look foolish
They think that they can do likewise
to Mr.. Wilson.
In the meantime the President OBJ
serves significant silence. He is go
ing to play a card sometime, some,
| where-a card which he believes will
win the day. He is confident. his ad
visers say. that the treaty will be rat
flied without reservation. So conf
dent is he that when senators leading
the fight on the floor for the league
alarmed at republican strength and de
termination. suggested to the Presiden
that he indicate the reservations h
would accept, he promptly and emphati
cally replied that he would insist OIL
, an "unamended treaty without reserva
| tons"
, And tomorrow is the big day in tn
fight The Lodges and the Borahs be
lieve that they will push the Presi
dent into a hole, out of which he will
, never come. And the democrats ar
positive that the President will not on1.
: hold his own, but will send the anti
leaguers back to the capitol sadder an
perhaps wiser men.