New-York tribune., 1920-01-19
Democrats See
Agreement OH
Treaty Near
Group in Favor of Compro.
mise With Republicans
Thinks President Will Ac-
cept Work of Conference
Article X Is Chief Issue
Common Ground Can Be
Found to Guard Rights of
u. S., Says Senator Owen
NeW York Tribune
Itnshj1Oton R,,r.o,t

~ ''uSHtEOtOH bureau
WASHINGTON, Jan. 18. Forma
negotiations for compromise on the
peace treaty, which were removed from
the gaze and hearing of the public
upon the demand of Democratic Sen.
ators who are discussing an agreement
with the Republicans, will be con-
tnued throughout this week.
The five Democratic Senators headed
by Senator Hitchcock, leader of the
Administration forces in the Senate
and the four Republicans under Senator
Lodge, will meet almost daily in an ef.
tort to smooth over the differences be-
tween the various groups OF Senators
who want to get the treaty ratified
The principal stumbling blocks in the
way of ar agreement, the reservations
on Article and on equality of voting
Will be taken up last by the conferees
after an agreement has been reached
on notifications of the other Lodge
reservations.
They Hope President Will Accept
The Democratic Senators who are be-
hind the move in their party to arrive
at compromise with Republican
friends of the treaty declared to-day
that they will support whatever agree
ment can be reached. and that they
hope President Wilson will accept it
after the Senate has acted
Senator Owen, of Oklahoma, who in
ltiated the formal conferences that are
under way, expressed the opinion that
the Democrats and the Republicans
who want the treaty ratified will be
able to get together and that the Pres
ident Will approve whatever ratitica-
said:
Il am sure more than forty of the
Democratic Senators are desirous of
ratification and that they
are willing to accept reasonable res
ervatlons that will protect the United
states against any possible misinter-
pretatlons. For several months the
Democrats have been trying to con-
ciliate those Republicans who really
wanted the covenant of the LEAGUE
adopted. More than two thirds of the
Senators want the league, but because
of its world Importance the members
have found it difficult to reconcile their
differences. Certain friends of the
league think, for example, that the res
crvation on Article X is vital to pre-
serve the right of Congress exclusively
to declare war, while others, holding
mat Article does not affect that
right, believe that to withdraw the
moral support of the United States to
assist in preserving the territorial in
.egrity Of the member nations would
seriously weaken the powers of the
eague to prevent war.
Ihe Democrats were deeply disap-
pointed not to have disposed of tho
natter at the close of the extra ses
sion in 'November They immediately
.ook the matter of Cancellation IN with
he Republican friends of the cove
liant, and by many conferences have
pressed the matter. Negotiations are
4ctlvelyin progress now. through meet
ngs which l sought, between Senator
.odge and his associates and Senator
Hitchcock and his colleagues. with that
nd in view.
Insists There is no Breach
"Some of the newspapers seem TO he
profoundly inspired to defeat any ad
ustmcnt and daily put in circulation
eports calculated to make adjustment
II differences impossible. They de-
cribe the Democratic Senators as
rubber stamps of President Wilson
md also Of Mr.. Bryan, and at the same
lme represent Mr. Wilson and M
Bryan as in deadly conflict over reser-
'ations or no reservations.
Pres ident Wilson cannot consist
'ntly, with his obligations entered into
1t Paris, intimate to the Senate anv
Willingness to amend or change the
reaty. The value of the treaty he
must assuredly desire to preserve.
"Mr. Bryan, under no obligations to
.he statesmen of Europe urges rati
hcat'on without delay. and in doing
50 ne is cooperating with Democratic
senators. and 1T is an injustice to him
70 charge nm with trying to defeat
to control Democratic Senators IN =
revolt against President Wilson"