New-York tribune., 1920-02-04
Lloyd George
Said to Uphold
Reservati
Borah Says Premier Sent
Gable Declaring Lodge
Program Satisfactory:
''Want u. S. in League
Feared to Offend Wilson
Senate Lines Up for New
Treaty Fight ON Monday:
Knox Plan Is Revived
NeU York Tr,bune


WASHINGTON, Feb. Ex-senator
Borah, leader of the "irreconcilable"
faction opposing the ratification of the
peace treaty, said to-day that Premier
Lloyd George of Great Britain had
cabled to Washington, lodge reser-
vations satisfactory. We want the
United States TO enter the league" Mr.
Borah, who said ne had not seen the
cablegram himself, but had been in
formed that two or more Senators mad
seen it, stated that Mr.. Lloyd George
had not made public statement 'on
the reservations because of fear he
might offend President Wilson.
But after an effort to reach the
President through Viscount Grey,
which failed, and after full study and
consultation with some of the greatest
lawyers of London and some in this
country, it was concluded that rcser-
Nvations construed by a political body
s1Hom whose construction there was no
c&ppeal would be wholly worthess,'
continued Mr.. Borah. He added that
Mr. Lloyd George accordingly sent the
c2blegram quoted.
Senator Borah's statement
Mr.. Borah said:
"'rhe weakening and injury to the
league which some apprehend from
the American reservations would not
sbe left in practice Thus Viscount
Grey disposes Of all reservations and
,renounces them as utterly ineffective
tand worthless. The sad part of it is
tffat he is entirely correct. Those
proposed reservations do not protect
-4ect America at all. They are simply
the fimsy excuse for failing to do
What it is the plain duty of patriotic
MEN to do. They are the answer of
party politics to the demand by for
,eign overnments to surrender our
>ihdependence.
"The Grey interview and Lloyd
Georges cablegram ought to convince
c.aay one that there is just one question
shall we enter the league or shall we
stay out of it? When we enter the
league we are there for all purposes,
and our reservations will never be
felt nor even respected
semi i-offcial declaration from q
French government official similar to
the Grey letter, in which acceptance Of
reservations to the treaty will be urged
:. III order to secure the presence of the
United States in the league of nations,
is expected by Senators.
= Confident predictions We're made at
the Capitol to-day that such a state
ment will be forthcoming within few
days. Ambassador Jusserand has ad-
vsed the French government that the
treaty cannot be ratified by the Senate
without reservations, it was said. NJ
Jusserand is in the United States, i,
. was suggested, and no statement will
be made by him. But the friends OF
ratification in the Senate fully expect
some other official Of the French gov
eminent to declare Frances willing
ness to accept American reservations.
q Senator Predicts Statement
"The statement undoubtedly will
come from Paris" said one Senator to-
day Ambassador Jusserand has kept
fully informed of the situation between
he Senate and the President, and has
j.. hdyised his government what to do
The letter of Lord Grey was simply an
opening for similar declaration from
the French government"
All factions in the Senate treaty fight
day began to prepare for the renewa
of the battle over ratification in the
Senate next Monday. Senator Hitch
+ sock, acting leader of the Administration
forces, sent word from his home II
Omaha that he will hurry back to Wash
: ington. He is expected to arrive Thurs.
day.
The irreconcilable," who area op-
posed to ratification Of the treaty ir
an form, planned to join the oppo-
nents of reservations and make a fight
{. against adoption of reservations that
might make ratification possible.
The Democratic Senators, who are
- preparing to accept reservations in or
{ der to secure ratification, conferred
- t3uring the day on plans for support
ing the Knox plan of ratifying the
treaty in so far as it would establish q
state of peace and postpone considera-
tion of the league of nations covenant
q in the event that another deadlock
= should occur to prevent ratification
with reservations.
~ Senator Knox had dropped his plar
temporarily, but the advisability OF
having Democratic advocates of rati
tication in some form take it up was
discussed at Il conference between
Senators Underwood, of Alabama, Pitt
man, of Nevada, and Gerry, of Rhode
Island. No decision was reached, but
it was suggested at the conference
that should a deadlock come on Articl lt
X when the Senate again takes up the
treaty Senator Underwood should move
to have the Senate postpone considera-
ton of the league covenant and ratify
the rest of the treaty.
An effort will be made by friends