Evening star., 1920-02-29

question 1t was simultaneously announced
that the committee had voted that the train
ing plan become the subject for separate leg
islation, to be framed by friendly SUD-
committee OF seven. with an agreement tha'
it's consideration would not be blocked after
a thorough inquiry of costs and economic e1-
fects shall have been made.
The motivating influence which, it Is gen.
orally asserted, blocks the possibility OF uni
versal military training legislation until after
the conventions next spring is one OF frank
political expediency. Democrats and repuo-
licans both in doubt as to the sentiment
of the nation at large the subject. Neither
willing to risk the chance of a legisla-
tive blunder at this time. There is very much
at stake and almost all concerned are play
ing 'em close to their vest buttons" Hence
the less graceful temporizatlon on
the matter. pending the time when the nation
shall have made its will known in unmistak-
able terms. In other words. the politicians
Of the hour would rather split the pot than
.ake gamble. Nothing risked. nothing lost.
they say. And nothing won," say the protas-
onists of universal military training.
The Army reorganization bill. military
training clauses. was upon Thursday reported
to the House from committee. 1t provides for
a maximum peace-time Army of 1890 officers
and $4,000 enlisted men. No definite tactical
formation of the force is prescribed. The Ma
tional Guard Reserve would be continued. with
additional federal support. Reserve Officers
Training Corps is provided for.
The admitted difficulty Immediately to be
faced If the bill becomes law is turning the
paper army into reality. Recruiting since
the armistice has not been brisk.
The week witnessed the calling of the peace
treaty before the Senate again, under agree
ment which has been accepted as meaning that
the finish fight is The announcement of
positively the last appearance" has been made
often in connection with the long-harassed
pact that the public is pardonably skeptical.
At all events the agreement is to keep it
continually under consideration until vote
is reached upon ratification. 1t looks honest
enough. And, while no one is willing to
hazard his reputation soothsayer upon
what is going to happen. it is generally proph-
esied that whatever that something may be
will have taken place inside of three weeks.
If the issue is undecided by then. say the ex-
perts it will be .shelved until the campaign.
There is a persistent rumor that sufficient
democrats are prepared to revolt from the
Presidents treaty leadership to ratify with
what will be substantially the Lodge reserva-
tions. A democratic caucus has been proposed
with a view to discussing a possible change
in party policy.
The republican claim that at least twenty
two democrats we're ready to accept the re-
publican reservations was partially confirmed
upon Thursday, when reservation No. was
passed by vote Of ss to 4. No. 1. it will
be recalled, was passed last Saturday. IS to 20.
While neither Of these clauses was of very
material Importance, the vote upon Thurs
day was hailed as an excellent omen by the
Lodge supporters
Reservation No. 2, dealing with the much
discussed article x Of the covenant, has been
skipped over. The rest will be taken up in
turn. leaving the difficult pull for the final
effort. The Lodge strategy seems to be to
the relatively unimportant reservations
as wedges whereby the democratic ranks may
be split. and then. when acceptance may have
become habit, to concentrate upon final
plea for the change in article X Hopes for
ratification. while they may justly be re-
garded brighter than for some time back
should be held within reason, however. For
natural retort, when the senator from
Massachusetts, shall have asked You have
come far, why not come this one step
farther" would be: I'VE have come many
steps; you take this to meet u.s."
And at that point what. Jim and Jane?