New-York tribune., 1920-01-02
Apathy Shown by Democrats
j Over Proposed Pledge to
! Guard Against Sudden
! Invasion by Germany
Held Not To Be Needed
Senator'S Argue League of
Nations Now Assures
Paris Necessary Protection
By Carter Field
Nelo Yoyk Tribune
WASHINGTON Bureau

washington EareGu
WASHINGTON, Jan. L. William
Jennings Bryan. mentioned as a pos
sible candidate for the Democratic
nomination for President, is vigorously
opposed to the French treaty, as well
as to Article x Of the League of Ma
tions covenant. Mr.. Bryan expressed
this view to several Democratic Sena-
tors on his recent visit to Washington,
during which he was entertained as the
guest of honor at a dinner party of
twenty-five Democratic Senator'S.
The French treaty, under which the
United States, with Great Britain
bound By similar treaty, agrees to 20
to the aid of France should she be at
tackled without provocation BY Ger
many, cannot stand very much more
opposition in the opinion of observers
here. A canvass Of the Senate made
since Mr.. Bryan's visit. with view to
discovering if his opposition had any
effect, disclosed the treaty must have
the breath of life blown into 1t all over
again before it will have chance for
ratification.
4~O ALutlIuSldSW AVE 1IG6tys
It was not discovered that Mr..
Bryan's opposition had anything to do
with this, but it was clear that not
only is there much opposition to the
treaty but that there is no real cham
pionship Of the proposed guaranty to
France. No Senator is enthusiastically
for it.
Presumably the majority OF tho
Democratic Senators will vote for it
when the issue arises, if the Adnins-
tration whip is cracked. Very few of
them care anything about the proposal
on its own merits, and many OF them
are afraid Of the old "entan=ling alli-
ance" slogan.
On the Republican side Senator
Lodge is kindly disposed toward the
treaty, but he could not be called an
enthusiastic supporter. He merely is
not opposing it.
The treaty is really suffering from
lack Of interest. This is best shown,
perhaps, by the fact that it has not
been mentioned at any meeting Of the
Foreign Relations Committee for
months.
Forgotten by Senators.
Most Senators who were asked by
the Tribune corresp about the
prospects of the treaty said frankly it
had not occurred to their mipds for
weeks or months, as the case hapnAnAdz
to be. None had any idea thxtsat,
would be brought up or pressed for
some time.
Wilson that this obligation would be
assumed by the United States is gen.
orally understood to have been the
price paid to France for surrendering
her claim to the left bank Of the
Rhine. u
1t is pointed out by many Senators
as a reason for the loss Of interest in
this treaty that it was hold by Presi-
dent Wilson as something to bridge
of nations should go into effect as an
assurance that France would be pro-
tectad from German aggression.
The gap Is no longer there to be
bridged, these Senators say, and the
reason for the existence of the French
treaty has passed. Dispatches from
Paris at this time, however, and mer
the desire Of France for this protect
ing alliance with Great Britain and
the United States was based on an en-
tirely different idea--the fear that the
league of nations, lacking the military
general staff advocated by the French,
would not prove an efficient protection
to France.
Need nf Elimination
Even the "mild" friends Of the
treaty Insist that it never could be
ratified until all reference in it to the
league of nations had been eliminated.
Particularly Objectionable to Senator
Lodge and other friends Of the treaty
ts the provision which makes the whole
guaranty by this country to protect
France subject to the approval Of the
league of nations.
Even this change would not satisfy
such Senators as Knox and Moses, Of
the Foreign Relations Committee They
are willing to protect France should
she be invaded by Germany, but they
DO net want any formal promise given
by treaty. Their idea of meeting the
situation would be formal declaration
by Congress that it is the intention
OF this country to assist France should
she be invaded hv (,errnanv