New-York tribune., 1920-01-16
Nine Factions, All but
''1rreconcilables." Con-
fer and Compromise
Appears To Be Nearer
First Real Hope,
Declares Lodge
His Reservations Are Basis
of Farley; Hitchcock Op-
poses Bryan's Proposal
By Carter Field
NesO York Tribune
Wash UfnM R.,~....


Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Jan. 15.-Taking the
Lodge reservations as basis. nine
Senators. representing every shade of
opinion on the peace treaty in the
upper House, with the exception of
the "irrcconcilables," met in formal
conference to-day in the hope Of reach
ing compromise on which the treaty
could be ratified.
After the conference Senator Lodge
said that "the outlook for an agree
ment Is improved very much" The
Democratic Senators suggested mod:f-
cations to the Lodge reservations.
Senator Lodge will discuss these pro-
posals with his Republican colleagues
tomorrow, and another conference will
be held Saturday, with the same Sena-
tors present who attended the meeting
to-day.
The conference followed the reap
pesrance Of William J. Bryan at the
Capitol. Mr.. Bryan urged the Demo-.
cratic Senators to permit the Repub-
licans to ratify the treaty with reser-
vations by Withholding their own votes.
Then, he said, he would make the res
ervations an issue in the Presidential
campaign.
Bryan Suggestion Opposed
The Bryan suggestion was not re-
celved favorably by many Senators.
Senator Hitchcock expressed strong
disapproval of it, The Democrats, said
Senator Hitchcock. never would follow
the suggestion, as they might as we'll
vote for the reservations as silently ac-
cept them by refusing to vote at all.
The conference of the leaders of the
different groups Of Republican and
Democratic Senators was held in the
office of Senator Lodge. It was called
by Senators Lodge and Hitchcock after
Senator Owen, Of Oklahoma, acting for
the Democrats, had asked Senator
Lodge to select several Republicans to
meet with a group of Democrats and
discuss the possibility of getting to-
gether. The following Senators at
tended:
Senator Lodge, majority leader of
the Senate. chairman of the Foreign
Relations Committee and author of the
reservations adopted by the Senate.
resentative of the s'mddle ground"
Republicans, who has been working for
81 compromise on the basis of making
few concessions on the Lodge reser-
vations.
Senator New, of Indiana. represent
ing the Lodge followers on the Re-
publican side.
Senator Kellogg, of Minnesota, repre-
senting the Republican mild reserva-
tion'sts," who have been active in
negotiating q compromise with the
Democrats on the basis of making i'm
portant concessions to the Democrats.
Senator Hitchcock, acting leader of
the Administration forces in the SEN
ate, who insists that the Senate ratify
the treaty with "interpretative" reser-
vations which President Wilson could
accept.
Senator McKellar, of Tennessee, rep
resenting the Bryan group" of Demo
cratic Senators.
Senator Owen, Of Oklahoma, repre-
senting the Democratic Senators who
want the Senate to act without con-
sulting the President.
Senator Simmons, of North Carolina.
representing the Democratic Senators
who would be willing to accept COM
promise in order to secure ratification,
Senator Walsh, Of Montana, repre-
senting the Democratic Senators who
are opposed to accepting strong reser-
vations.
First Step to Get Together
"This is the first real attempt to get
together on an agreement" said Sena-
tor Lodge after the conference. Awe
have taken the first step. This is the
tlrst time the Democrats have made any
practical suggestion for an agreement.
must talk it over with our people
and then we will meet again Saturday"
Senator Lodge said that the Senators
discussed each of the Lodge reserva-
tions in turn. The Democrats sug-
gested notifications, which were noted,
and these will be discussed with other
Republicans.
No definite plan for compromise
was submitted by the Democrats. Sen
ator Lodge said. He added, however.
that the Democrats were in accord on
the suggested notifications and that
they tod min any agreement thew
might be able to make would receive
the support OF most Of the Democrats
in the Senate.
Article x which has proved to be
the STUMBLING DlOcK IN the path of
an agreement during the informal ne
gotiations that have been under way
in the Senate, did not come up for
detailed discussion.
Article X Substitute Proposed
Stnator Colt, of Rhode Island, one
of the Republican mild reservation
ists," to-day proposed substitute for
the Lodge reservation on Article x,
and it received the favorable consic-
Grafton of other Republicans. 1t fol-
lows:
"Under the Constitution of the
United States. Congress has the sole
power to declare war; therefore, the
United States assumes no obligation
to preserve the territorial integrity
or political independence of any
other country, under provisions Of
Article x, unless in any particular
case the Congress shall, by act or
joint resolution. so provide; and,
further, Congress assumes no obli-
CATION to interfere in controversies
between nations, whether members