The Washington times., 1920-01-09
j. S. MAY VOTE
SOON0NPEACE
Party Leaders Consider Refer
endum on Issue Before
Election.
SEEK PRESIDENTS VIEWS
Drive Begun to Patch Up Split
Between Wilson and
Nebraskan.
SEEK PRESIDENTS VIEWS

Democratic leaders today started a
great drive to patch up differences
of opinion between the two leaders,
President Wilson and William Jen-
nings Bryan.
Despite the fact that Mr.. Bryan
was speaking until near 8 o'clock
this morning. he was called out early
today for a conference with members
of the Democratic national commit
tee. Homer Cummings, chairman Of
the committee, and other members
we've present, and they went into a
prolonged conference In an attempt
to settle upon. q definite program that
would not find President Wilson and
Bryan at odds.
Early Referendum Planned.
Steps may he taken to bring the
treaty issue to the people before the
Presidential campaisn, II was. learned
at the white House today. Ii In un-
derrtood that Democratic leaders,
fearing q clash "a their own party,
arc now wOrkinfg out y plan which
will be submitte to the President,
whereby q refer ndum on the treaty
may be taken wi hin n short time. IL
was stated mt the White House TINT
such q plan Nigh be deemed ndvfs-
able.
1t was admitted that Mr.. Bryar's
plea for Government ownership of
railroads will appeal strongly to. the
labor sentiment of the country, as
well as other groups who believe in
public ownership of utilities and
transportation lines. At the same
time, 1t was conceded that his stand
will find sympathy with the Demo-
Gratis who believe in the adoption of
the treaty with mild reservations.
Mr.. Bryan. at his headquarters. in
the Hotel Lafayette, this morning.
was engaged in conferences with a
group of Democratic leaders who
gathered at his hotel at an early
hour. Mr.. Bryan was in an exceeding
ly good humor and received each
group with outstretched hands.
Chaxrin Is Displayed.
Democratic leaders today were not
at all backward in displaying their
chagrin at the differences which de-
veloped between President Wilson's
views and those of Mr.. Bryan. They
were hopeful, however, that in the
conference today they would get def
mite assurance from Mr.. Bryan that
he would not lead a revolt in the cam
paign, and that he would not cam
paign against the views expressed by
the President.
There was an unconfirned report
that leaders we're working in an ef-
fort to convert Mr.. Bryan to the
Presidents views and that II this
failed he might be asked to withdraw
from active participation in the Presi-
Dental campaign.
President Wilson and Bryan are
Numerically opposed in this situa-
tion. The President in his message
to the Democratic party, read last
night at the opening of the jackson
Day banquets in the willard and
Washington hotels here, said:
"If there Is any doubt as to what
the people of the country think on
this vital matter (ratiflcation), the
clear and single way out Is to sub
init 1t for determination at the next
election"
In the face of this, and in the face
of resolution adopted by the Demo
cratic National Committee pledging
the party TO support the President In
the treaty night, Bryan came out un-
equivocapy against making II a cam
paign issue.
with regard to article 10, to which
President Wilson has referred as the
heart of the league of nations cove
nant, Bryan, in his second speech
early this morning, said:
II think the Importance OF article
10 has been very much magnined"
President Wilson's message failed
Continued on Page ., Column ~