New-York tribune., 1920-03-07
Senators that the President would yiel
on Article X.
Wasting Time, Says Borah

"If it is true that the President does
not propose to yield on Article X
said Borah, "then why not bring that
reservation to vote and get the treaty
out Of the way here and get ready for
the Presidential campaign. We are
merely wasting time on the other res
ervations: The great controversy arises
says is the heart of the covenant. If
the Presidents position on that is
known now there Ia no need for de-
laying another minute"
Senator Simmons then declared that
he had not had any conference with the
President on the treaty. "If had," he
added, II would not have attempted to
persuade him to accept the Lodge res
ervation on Article x"
"Well, we are ready to vote on this
side" said Senator Borah.
"Whom does the Senator mean when
he says 'we?'" asked Senator Hitch
cock. "Whom do you representa-"
Whom do you representa-" replied
Senator Borah.
Different members on this side of
the chamber" retorted Senator Hitch
cock. "And I want to say that if we
have been responsible for any delay it
has not been because we were waiting
to find out the Presidents view"
Borah Quizzes Hitchcock
Glow long will it take you to find
out what the views of the Democratic
Senators are?" asked Senator Borah.
I'VE have offered two compromises
on Article x, the Taft reservation and
the bipartisan conference reservation" )"
replied Senator Hitchcock. Forty of
US have signed pledge to vote for
either Of these reservations. If these
Npo ov~VyOf f3C, II ~
sufficient number Of Senators on this
side who will defeat ratification of the
treaty"
with the aid Of the irreconcilables,"
remarked Senator Smith of Georgia.
you are just as irreconcilable as we
are" declared Senator Borah "You are
irreconcilable if you don't get the res
ervations you want. You say il you
DON'T you have enough votes on that
side to kill the treaty. If that is true
why waste another hour?"
No Votes Pledged
Denying that the Democrats were "ir-
reconcilables," Senator Hitchcock said
they were willing to consider any COM
PROMISE" but that he could not pledge
their votes for one.
us the Senator from Nebraska will
ing to vote for any reservation that de-
stroys the obligations under Article X z"
Senator Borah asked.
"No," replied Senator Hitchcock.
Senator Lodge then declared he had
worked hard for ratification, and said
the treaty could best be disposed Of by
without further delay and then taking
up Article X. He said he had not de-
layed action.
"The Senator from Nebraska has
started debate on every little point
that has come up" Senator Lodge con-
tinued, mo matter how trivial.''
"A word as to the difficulties that
confront US. There are some Senators
ON this side who have the profound
conviction that they arc not willing to
vote for the treaty in any form.
majority Of us, know. would be glad
to ratify the treaty If the principles
OF the Lodge reservations are pre-
served. But they would not stand out
on mere question Of phraseology.
Won't Yield ON Principle
"On the principles of the Article x
reservation we don't propose to yield.
We intend to get rid entirely Of any
obligation. And on Article X we have
not stood out on any mere change in
phraseology. The Senator from Ne
braska says he has offered compromises
on that reservation. He has never
offered . compromise, He has offered
two reservations, 1t is true, but they
would have US yield the principles Of
the Lodge reservation. That is our
position here"
When the Senate took up the ninth
reservation, declaring that Congress-
should act with regard to Americas
share Of the expenses Of the league.
Senator Kellogg, Of Minnesota, one Of
the mild rsservationists" who broke
with Senator Lodge yestertav oHorad