Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-01-15

Washington. Jan. s. (By the Associated
rrcss)--A split between President Will
son and William j. E>yan over whether
the League of Nations should be made
an issue at the coming election topped
off the Jackson day deliberations of the
Democratic party chiefs.
1t came at the Jackson dinner as the
climax of a day in which san Francisco
had been chosen as the meeting place
of the democratic national convention on
June % and it charged the air with
political electricity.
President Wilson. in his message read
to the diners, assembled in two separa te
halls declared that the clear and single
way out was to submit the question to
the voters as "a great and solemn refer
endum.'
BRYAN IN GREAT FORM
MIR. Bryan, showing all the old-time
vgor with which he led the fight for
the Presidents nomination. at Baltimore
in 1872, declared that the Democratic
party could not go before the country on
the issue, because it involved a delay
of IA months and meant success only if
the democrats captured two-thirds ma
jority Of the Senate. The party, Mr..
Bryan declared, must secure such COM
promises may be possible
J The disagreement between the President
and his former secretary Of state the
! first in public view since Mr.. Bryan
} left the cabinet because he did not agree
with the Presidents course in the diplo-
matte negotiations with Germany, was
thus disclosed as fact, although it has
been rumored and reported In the under
ground currents Of national politics. In
the opinion of the political leaders it
crystallzed an issue.
! no THIRD TERM TALK
President Wilson, in his message. said
nothing whatever about a third term for
himself and neither did he make any
| formal announcement of his intended re-
/ tirement to private life as some had fore
cast he would. Mr.. Bryan in his pre-
pared address said nothing bearing on
any ambitions toward a fourth presden-
! tial nomination., but before reading his
manuscript he said he had nothing to ask
and that therefore the diners would not
listen to him with the thought that they
We're listening to a candidate
There were a dozen or more other
speakers at the dinners and their views
| on whether the league should be made
a campaign issue were either divided, in
I
! or else they did not touch on the subject
at all.
VARYING SENTIMENTS.
! The gist of their speeches might easily
be eptomized in this fashion:
Senator Pomerene: Ratify the treaty
with or without reservations.
! Former Secretary McAdoo: An arraign.
ment of republican administration, but ex,
preston about the league.
! Secretary Daniels Mr.. Bryan is entitled
to credit for the League of Nations treaty
because his peace investigation conven
tons were the ground work for it.
! Senator Hitchcock: Honorable com
promise on the league question or a tnisl
fight.
Senator Owen: Immediate ratiiicatio,
and proceed with reconstruction legisla
ton.
| Chairman Cummings: Inevitable I'm
pulses" are carrying the Democratic part!
each day nearer and nearer to victory
Governor Cornwell of West Virginia
American institutions are in danger O.
being oVerthrown by the unchecked
growth of a labor autocracy.'
Vice-chairman Kremer; I'VE accept tn,
gauge of battle"
Governor Cox of Ohio: 1.-The old guart
is in control of the party Republican
which it well nigh wrecked by it's greed,
Attorney General Palmer 1.-The wal
will not be over in fact until the issue!
which it has raised are passed upon b,
the great court of appeals in America
and the judgment of the people is en-
tered"
Former Ambassador Gerard: THE coun
try demands that both sides get together
that "A compromise be made and peac,
given to the world"
Former Speaker Clark; Democratic
achievements during the last six year.
entitle the party to a long lease of pow
err"
Senator Underwood: THE issue is clear
The President has defined it beyont
cavil."
| DINING ROOMS PACKED
The host of democrats on hand TO
: the dinner had swamped the availabl
accommodations of any one hotel /
town and the party was divided int
two dinners at two seperate hotels
block apart. National Chairman Cum
mugs presided at one and vice chair
man Kremer at the other. The dinin
rooms were packed, tickets were at
premium and there were many disap
selves with straining their ears at tn
doors.
Both dinners began with toast
drunk to the hath of President VIII
son, the guests elevating goblets G
! Potomac River water.
} At the dinner where Mr. Cumming
presided, Vice-President Marshall wa
seated at the right and Secretary Lans
ing at the left. Two women Mr.!
George Bass of Colorado and Mr.
} Charles Tiffany of New York were a
the speakers table. At the dinner owe
! which Mr.. Kremer presided Mrs. Pete
J Olesen of Minnesota sat at the speak
ers table.
DOUBLE SPEECHES MADE
The same set OF speakers addresse
, both dinners going from one to tn
other in various order. At some tim
during the evening both parties of din
ers were addressed by Senator Hitch
cock Governor Cornwol of West Vii
= ginia, Governor Cox of Ohio, James "
Gerard, Senator Underwood, Secretar
Daniels, former Speaker Champ Clarl
, Attorney General Palmer, Mrs. Obese,
Senator Pomerene, Senator owen an
I william j. Bryan. Former secretar
, McAdoo's telegram and President WI
, sons message were read to each,
, CUMMINGS PRESIDES
In opening the speaking program, Home
, s. Cummings, chairman of tho demo
lcratic national committee. who will direc