Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-11-13
OEMOCRATSF FAVOR
RETURNING TREATY
At COMING Session
PROPOSAL to Resubmit Pact to
Present Senate Up Before
the Cabinet.
COURSE OF PRESIDENT
IS BELIEVED UNDECIDED
Republicans Likely to Balk on
Action Now, Even at Risk of
Charges of Inconsistency.
BY n. o. MESSENGER

bI Ne u
In democratic quarters there is dis
position favorable to the President
sending the treaty of Versailles back
20 the Senate at the approaching De-
cember session Of Congress. not wait
ting for the incoming administration
and new Senate to take up the sub
ject Of an association of nations. The
the cabinet, but without decision.
President Wilson. it is said, maintains
at this time an open mind on the pro-
posal.
Politicians declare that if the Presi-
dent should return the treaty con-
tanning the covenant of the league of
nations to the Senate, with the pos
sible intimation that he acQufesced in
the verdict OF the solemn referendum
in the recent elections and submitted
Senate, he would place the republi-
cans in an embarrassing position.
They would be the more disconnected,
II is said, should he leave the demo-
cratic senators free to vote for ratifi-
cation with whatever reservations the
Senate might see f1t to attach.
wssla Put Faith to Test.
In such event. it is asserted. the
good faith Of those who have con-
leuQCo SA6t ShCy WcKS 1OT q 1cAkucs
with protective reservations, would
be put to test. granting that the
democratic senator's. released from
obligation to their chief, should face
about and declare willingness to vote
Assuming that the claims that busi-
ness and commerce await formal
peace with Germany, and that there
Is . deep sentiment in the country
Tor a league of nations of some sort,
ia Cd w
ocrats that responsibility of a grave
character would be placed upon the
republicans by the President follow
ing the suggested course.
1t is thought the republicans would
balk at action on the treaty now. even
at the risk of being charged with in
consistency. They would insist that
inasmuch -as the question OF 5oining
a ie<gue Of nations had been submit
-sed t0lDe1emH refereudum,ft ft wOoSd be-
taking 'snap Judgment to close the
case before the senator's. who were
elected on the issue. could have op-
f,ortunity to register their. views and
the presumed wishes of their constitu-
eacseA
Taf1S Preeeaent Cited
The point win be raised. it is said.
that rs the next administration must
live in the new structure of the pro-
posed association of nations. it should
participate in its planning The prec-
ed@nt VIII be cited of President
Taft's course in leaving the question
came acute at the very end of his ad-
minisfrafion, 10 his successor, al
though he could well have recognized
the de facto government of Mexico.
So if President Wilson should re-
turn the treaty of Versailles to the
Senate in December the spectacle
might be presented Of the republicans
demanding that it be pigecnholed un-
til the extra session. of the Senate
which will be called for March to
consider nominations. The charge of
inconsistency could then be made by
the democrats. who would recall the
assertions frequently made by the re-
publicans during the campaign that it
was the Presidents obstinacy in re-
Iusing 10 accept reservations which
ton
want Views Of New senate.
The chances are that the republicans
would rather be called inconsistent
than to see the treaty ratified before
the new Senate could express ,ts-if
The irreconcilable senators could be
relied upon to assist in delaying ac-
ton II they must in the end have e
league of nations forced upon her,
they would prefer an association
framed by the overwhelming repub-
Iican majority in the Senate which
VIII COIHG III AdICU =. ~ tuS original
covenant as amended by reservations.
It must be remembered that they
never agreed to the Lodge reserva-
iions in the last analysis. the vote on
ratification.
Some democrats. while realizing how
gratifying TO President Wilson il
would be to have his league of nations
eGectuGted during his administration.
even though in form a radical departnre
from his original plan. contend that
whatever association. league. COM
bination or what not finally comes
out. the credit for originating il will
IN the long run go to Woodrow Will
son. and that he can rest content to
let the republicans wrestle with the
oroblem. -