The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1920-05-11
Wilson May Not Ask
UnquaIITIed U. K. Of
Versailles Treaty
By DAVID LAw&EHCG,
Copyright By The lntellig encer.)

WASHINGTON. d. c.. May. IT,
PRESIDENT Wilson has dchantly answer
I'd the Democrats Of New \ ork and
Ehode island, who failed TO 80 ON rec
ord IN their respective contention in
favor of the treaty OF Versailles and
The covenant Of the League OF Nations.
me President moreover has antici-
psted the Democratic national conrcn-
TO 6lszo the way by Il declaration in
their platform and by their votes in
the approaching primary. Mr.. Wilson
risks something by putting the issue
10 test in advance OF the convention
hut Oregon has shown Itself hereto
tore so strongly in favor Of the Prcst-
dents position on the Peace treaty
hat after all Mr.. Wilson would appear
20 be rather certain of endorsement.
10 support his own position, on the
treaty but TO condemn the Lodge
reserEatlons. GnQuesttonahly the Re
publican convention at Chicago Will en-
ly TO commend the Lodge reserya-
tons" Mr.. Wilson considers that
Senator Knox spoke the. truth the
nthcr day when he frankly admitted
that reservations do not Amsricanize:"
The Pennsylvania senator made II
easier for Mr.. Wilson to make clear
cut issue.
rhs Wilson wsaknssS
Bu, there Is ono weakness i'll Mr..
Wilson's course which did not escape
comment here today. While the Prcsi-
don't rejects the Lodge reservations, he
does not indicate that a program like
The Isitchcick resercat tons would be
acceptable. He leaves the inference
that he still wants the treaty and
roNnant to be- endorsed without the
crossing OF a -" or the dotttng Of an
-
Notwithstanding the adSice and sug-
Sestion OF many Of his friends. the
PRESIDENT has throughout the treaty
Hsht permitted that impression 10 go
,ut 20 the country. Even when he en-
dorsed the Hitchcock reservations in
iuC last moments OF the debate last
March. he did not emphasize the point
rnr too strongly. The President: had
, reason that seemed SQUAD TO him:
.ic feared that IL he allowed himself
- 6o drawn into a quarrel about reser,
valicuS. the issue would be berosged
1y bubbles over phraseology.
He considered that Article Ten was
o he heart OF tho whole business and
0taat tho Lodge reservation nullihed
'uat article. - q.
Bringing PRESSURE.
Nevertheless II is q matter of doubt
whether the President will ask the
democratic national convention at San
t'raucisco 10 stand for an unqualified
.oScnsnt Pressure will be brought to
. 1car upon him to consent TO plank In
he platform which viii endorse tho
,-ogram tentatively agreed upon IN tho
u-partisau conferences which were
rroken up when senator Johnson and
;enator B5fah threatened to bolt the
"arty if Senator Lodge compromised
IL Article Ten.
yHith the Hiram Johnson movement
rowing stronger every day, the Re
nublicans have been in Quandary
bout the treaty plank in their plat
form. They cannot consistently en-
,.orse the California Senator's position
md At the Same time approve of the
l.odgc reservations. In sense MIR.
Wilson makes il bit easier for the
republicans by his pronouncement
,gainst the Lodge reservations, had he
t.or was over. he might have found
rne Republicans endorsing the Johnson
,tcw point, and retreatinE from the
r.adcrship or Senator Lodge in order 10
ace the President in the campaign
With 4 solid Republican opposition.
Rspublican Advantages
Tho Republican leaders Will be quick
- seize upon the Lodge reservations
Is the basis Of their campaign with
ne hope that Senator Johnson viii not
nd point out that he doesn't want the
.reaty even with these reservations.
"a senator johnson against whom the
Presidents letter 10 the Oregon Demo
rats Is leSclled Tot tne tlIuc pcahS'
Mr. Johnson just triumphed In his ma
I've state over Mr.. Hoover who stood
or reservations The Oregon news
,apers with few exceptions have fav-
red the League Of Nations from the
start The Oregon Journal conducted
pcn which showed an overwhelming
ointment for the treaty without any
-aScryations whatsoever. So far as
cst IS concerned on the unqualified
.dnption OF the treaty. no better baltic
round could have been selected by Mr..
Wilson. -
Another Pronouncsment-
Dut before the san Francisco con-
vention comes around there will be
mother pronouncemeut from Mr. Will
srn. the letter to the oregon Demo
rats ~ not the last word nor the kind
= a plank the Democrats Will auopt'
they will take their stand for some
reservations. notably those proposed
-. senator Hitchcock and agreed upon
~ a majority Of the Democrats ana
.rdorsed BY Mr. Wilson himself. On
&c face OF II the letter TO the oregon
democrats looks Ike a reversal oy MT.
,viIson a return to his original position
= Iincompromising opposition TO any
.nanre in the treaty or league. Even
.ually he will be found supporting
.eseryatiops that do not destroy the
,reaty'' and condemning the Lodge
~rseryations on the ground that they
re destructive. There is noticeable
-eneyal OF confidence and hope in
White House quarters as Senator john
son gains ground. Senator Knox
.oeecr really helped TO bring out the
.Ntter to the Oregon democrats.