New-York tribune., 1920-01-25
Split ON Treaty
Still a Puzzle
TO Republicans
Search for Common Basis
of Action To Be Contin-
ued Tomorrow; Rebels
to Show Their Strength
''Stage Business Hintel
Lodge Not Alarmed by Se-
cession; Seeks Pledge
ON His Reservations
Ne,o York Tribune
WASHINGTON Bureau


WASHINGTON, Jan. Republi-
cans in the Senate were deeply con-
cerned to-day over the threatened split
between the "irreconcilables" and
those who favor q modification of the
Lodge reservations to the league of ma
tions covenant. but many cloakroom
and office conferences failed to de-
velop a common ground on which they
could get together and adjust their diff
ferenccs.
Senator Lodge. who has been acting
rs chairman of the unofficial bl-parti-
san conferences that attracted the
talked over the situation with some
Republican members who do not insist
that no changes be made in the lam
guage of the reservations, but no ac-
tion was taken.
The bipartisan conference itself
scheduled to go on this afternoon, was
postponed until Monday, when it is
possible the "irreconcilables" will pro-
duce the figures they declare they
have to show that at least thirty-e ight
Senators are willing to stand against
further changes in the reservations
and that they are willing to vote
against them on the floor of the Senate
Cancellation Efforts Continue
In the mean time the efforts to rec
oncile the differences will be continued
and many Republicans still are hopeful
that this can be brought about without
any loss in prestige to the leadership
of Mr. Lodge or to the feelings of the
"irreconcilables."
According to Senators who are try
ing to prevent an actual breach, the
point that so far has been an obstacle
fCr bar kn
or the "irrcconcilables" to agree that
Change in the wording of the reserva-
tons is desirable.
Senators who are willing to see mod
ifications in the Lodge reservations
took the position to-day that there is
not the slightest intention on the part
of Senator Lodge and those participate
ing with him in the bipartisan meet
ings to compromise on any principle
that is preserved by the Lodge reser-
vations They contended, however, that
it is possible to change the language
of some of the reservations so they
will not carry an affront to other ma
tions, many Senators feel they now
do, without lessening what the or
reconcilables' want in the way Of pro-
lection for this country.
Lodge Seeks Showdown
Senator Lodge is known to have taken
the position to-day tnat it is important
to know whether the "irreconcilables"
will now vote for the Lodge reserva-
tions if no change is made in them. and
he is said to feel that if they will not
they are weakening their own position
by taking an absolutely uncompromising
attitude.
The majority leader feels that the
"lrreconcilabies" have raised a hue ard
cry before they have seen what is com
ing out of the bipartisan meetings and
that they may rest assured that moth
ing will come of those conferences
which will compromise any principle.
Whatever is agreed upon there will be
submitted to Republican conference,
including all Senator'S of that party,
and If not accepted there would, Of
course. not reach the Senate. This has
always been the program, as Senator
Ledge is said to understand it. and
there has been no deviation, his friends
say, from that program, nor will there
be any, a fact which the Democrats on
the conference committee realize and
with which they are reckoning at the
meetings
Not Alarmed by "Revolt"
But neither Mr.. Lodge nor his friends
appeared to-day to be greatly alarmed
az thc "irreconcilablc revolt" and re-
called that the Republican leadership
In tN past has come through worse
situations than the one it now faces.
Some of the "irreconciables" brought
new light into the present situation to-
day. They declared to their friends
that the hand of VIII Hays, chair
man of the Republican National Com
mittee, and other Republican leaders
who want to get the treaty Of peace
out of the way and out of the campaign
has appeared back of the program OF
ables' object to taking the treaty out
OF the campaign. at least in this
fashion, and feel that Republican lead
crs who 50 desire are misinterprctine
the wishes of the people Of the country
these Senators do not agree with the
idea advanced in other quarters among
the Republicans that Mr.. Hays and
other active party leaders who are 80
ing through the country are in a bette,
position to judge the feeling Of the
people than are men who pass most OF
their time in Washington. The
'irreconci!ables' admit there is logic ir
this argument. but say that unfortu
nately the Republican leaders are con
stantly talking with friends in the Eas
who want the treaty ratified, and asscr
'neir Judgment about the feelings else
''"" pSSH toIStueIdply warped by
these long-distancc conversations.
Presidential Booms Involved
The political phase Of the DISAGREE
ment has given a new interest 10 il
.lHce not ell the "lrreconcilables" ar,
BACK CT Senator Hiram Johnson anf
some q them might BE- expected to b,
iodad II any camp where Mr.. Lode,
,s cnie. rather than one IN which Wr
johnson IS the conspicuous 6qure
senator hoscs, of New iiampshire whc
- - active II handling General Leonard
ooa boom for the Republican nomi.
n@,ion' vas witn the "irreconcilables,
last night when they served .notico ~
lheir position or Mr.. Lodge. So yvas
senator PoindcNtor, who has Pros
Genital boom Of his own. SO was Sena.
,or Brandcgcc, who il not slnnoeed =,
be for either General Wood or Mr
Poindexter VI 1" T.
lhe Democrats were not par,icular,,
surprised IT the threat of Een,,hl;n.y > >
trouble. Senator Hitchcock tonL the
re" INA, u was 10 be expected and IN.
Ia'e OF the bipartisan meetings, hc
agreed, depends upon the outco1os ',g ng
me EepubiIcan family affair U,,il
tnat u settled the Democrats can do
httle but sit tight and hone. witbont
nsuNh Of the latter