The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-01-09


 the climax of day in which San Fran cisco had been chosen as the meeting place of the democratic national con- vention on June 2S and it charged the air with political electricity.
 President Wilson, in his message read to the diners. assembled in two separate halls declared that the "clear and single way outp was to submit the question to the voters as "a great and solemn referendum.'
 FMr. Bryan, showing all the old time vigor with which he led the fight for the Presidents nomination at Balti- n, ore in 1912. declared that the demo- cratic party could not go before the country on the issue, because 1t in- volved a delay of 14 months and meant success only if the dehocrats captured a two-thirds majority of the Senate.
 The party. MT. Bryan declared. must Secure such compromises as may be possible"
 DISAGREEMENT BARED
 The disagreement between the President and his former Secretary of State. the first in public view since MT. Bryan left the cabinet because he did not agree with the Presidents s course in the diplomatic relations with Germany, was thus disclosed as a fact, although ft has been rumored and re- ported in the underground currents of national politics. In the opinion of the political leaders. it crystalMzed an is- sue.
 President Wilson in his message, said nothing whatever about third term for himself, and neither did he make any formal announcement of his intended retirement to private life, as some had forecast he would,
 Mfr. Bryan, in his prepared address, said nothing bearing on any ambitions. to- ward fourth presidential nomination.. but before reading his manuscript he said he had nothing to ask and that there- fore the diners would not listen to him with the thought that they were listening to a candidate.
 There were a dozen or more other speakers at the dinner, and their views on whether the league should be made a campaign issue were either divided in favor of the Presidents stand or MT. Bryan's. or else they did not touch on the subjecr al all
 CYST OF SPEECHES
 The gist of their speeches might easily be epitomized Tn this fashion:
 Senator Pomerene; Ratify the treaty with or without reservations.
 Former Secretary McAdoo: An arraign- ment. of republican administration, but no expression about the league.
 Secretary Daniels: MT. Bryan ia entitled ito credit for the League of Nations treaty because his peace investigation conventions were the groundwork for it. Senator Hitchcock: Honorable compro- mise on the league question or finish fight.
 Senator Owen Immediate ratification ay,1 r,rn ct lag ell tion.
 Chairman Cummns: .Tnevitable i'm pulses" are carrying the democratic party leach day nearer and nearer to vic- tory"
 Governor Cornwell of West Virginia: American institutions are in danger of being overihrown by the unchecked growth of labor autocracy."
 Vice Chairman Kremer: we accept the gage of battle"
 Governor Cox If Ohio: The old guard lis in control of the party trepublican) which if well-nigh wrecked sby it's greed. Attorney General Palmer: The war will not be over in fact until the issues which it has raised are passed upon by the great court of appeals in America and the judgment of the people is entered
 Former Ambassador Gerard. The coun- try demands that both sides get to- gether, that a compromise be made and peace given to the world.
 Former Speaker Clark; Democratic accomplishments during the last six years cntitle the party to a long lease of power.
 Senator Underwood: 'The issue is clear. The President has defined it beyond cayiI"
 PARTY IS DIVIDED
 The host of democrats on hand for the dinner had swamped the available