Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1919-10-21
U. S. WON'T TAKE PART
IN LEAGUE UNTIL The
TREATY IS Ratified
No American Representation On
Commissions Now, the Ad-
miristratiOn Rules.

Washington, Oct. 20.-Taking no
tice Of reports that the United State:
might aid in carrying out provisions
of the peace treaty in advance OF the
treaty's ratification by the senate
the administration announced today
that American diplomatic and mill
tary participation in certain of these
provisions must wait until the senate
has acted.
At the state department, it was de.
clared this government would not ac-
cept the invitation of the supreme
council at Versailles to take place
Immediately on the international
commissions set up by the treaty, and
at the war department it was made
clear that no American troops would
be used without senate sanction to pO-
lice districts where the treaty pro-
vides for plebiscites under the mill
tary supervision of the great powers.
The two announcements were made
simultaneously and generally were
accepted in the senate, where the
possibility of premature American
participation in the treaty has been
one of the storm centers Of criticism,
as amounting to an administration
declaration of policy on the subject.
Senators on both sides of the treaty
controversy expressed the opinion
privately tonight that the admins
tration stand would aid in fastening
the final roll call on ratification.
Secretary Baker denied specifically
suggestions made in the senate de-
bate that 5000 soldiers recently sent
to Coblenz were to proceed to upper
Silesia and help in the plebiscite there
prior to American ratification. He
declared the department realized fully
that it would have no authority to
take such a step if senate reserva-
ton forbidding it were adopted, and
added that in the circumstances, there
was no desire to anticipate senate ac-
ton.
Damper on Debate.
A reservation on this subject and
one limiting American participation
in the various diplomatic commissions
to be created are in preparation.
One effect of the state departments
announcement was to set at rest re-
ports that President Wilson might
disregard the advice Of the foreign
relations committee and name an
American to act unofficially on the
powerful PREPARATIONS commission.
It is understood, however, that fl
nancial advisers now in Europe to
look after the treasury department
business and American financial and
trade interests generally, will keep
in close touch with the work of the
commission, after it is created.
Real progress toward senate action
on the treaty was made today when
the leaders put an effectual damper
on debate and permitted the senate
clerks to finish the tedious work Of
reading the treaty text. Just before
the johnson amendment
to equalize voting power in the league
assembly was formally brought up
for action, and it will have the floor,
except for the privileged morning
hour" each day, until it is disposed
of. 1t is the last but one of the
committee amendments.
Some of the more optimistic thought
a vote on the Johnson measure might
be possible tomorrow, but the general
prediction was that roll call would
not be reached before Wednesday at
the earliest. Other amendments are
expected to occupy the rest of the
week. Debate today was confined
to the Irish question.