New-York tribune., 1920-02-29
Senators Charged President
lnterferes i'm Old World
Without Eff ort to Learn
if U. S. Supports Him
Used as Argument
Against the League
U. S. Reply to Premiers ON
Adriatic Issue Expected
ToBe Sent EarlyinWeek

President Wilson was considering to-
day the latest note of the Allied
premiers on the Adriatic controversy
sharp criticism of the Executives
course in the negotiations broke out
IN the midst of the peace treaty debate
in the Senate.
Not only the irreconcilable op-
ponents of the treaty but one Of the
mild reservation Republicans, Senator
Kellogg, Of Minnesota, joined in the
Senate attack which occupied good
part of the days session, to the exclu-
sion of the pending reservation az
fccting an entirely different part of
the treaty. A general defense of the
President was made by Senator Hitch
cock, of Nebraska, the Administration
leader.
Wilson to Reply Early in Week
1t was indicated that Mr.. Wilson
would not long delay his reply to the
Allied note, which was said to have
invited the United States to Join in
attempting a settlement acceptable to
both Jugo- -Slavia and Italy The reply
was expected TO go forward early next
week, but officials were guarded in
their discussion of it's probable con-
tents.
The Senate discussion revolved
around assertions that the Disagree
ment demonstrated concretely the for
eign complications which would fol-
low Americas entrance to the league
of nations, and that the President was
seeking to interfere in the affairs Of
other nations without making any ef-
fort to learn whether the people of
this country were behind him.
Senator Thomas, Democrat, Of Colo
rado, one of the treaty "rreconcil-
ables," went so far as to suggest that
war in which the United States either
must participate or else be placed in
the position of refusing to back up the
positive stand taken on behalf Of the
nation by the President.
Kellogg Criticizes Wilson
Senator Kellogg said the President,
without justification, had "undertaxen
to dictate absolutely" an Adriatic set
tlement. He added that the develop
ment was "discouraging" to friends Of
the peace treaty. The Senator said he
did not know "why Italy should not de-
fend herself"
"My position Is that it is none of our
business" he continued. 81 do not be-
lieve the President is justified in at
tempting to dictate an adjustment If
we are going to dictate in that way be-
tore we have any treaty at all, what
are we going to get into, unless we
have an adequate reservation to Arti-
Gle K, after the treaty is ratitied?"
Quoting from the Presidents ref
0r IN ~o1f i
recent notes to the Allied Premiers,
Senator Kellogg asserted that in many
cases territory was "parceled OUT
at Versailles without regard to the
desires of the people Interested
How much of q part did self de
termination play in the settlement of
the Saar Basin ?" he asked. at PLAYED
no more Of part than it did in the
settlement of 1871, when Germany de-
manded and took Alsace- e-Lorraine from
France. How much of d part did it
play in determining the Shantung set
tlement? How much of part did it
play IN the cases of Serbia and Monte
negro? Self determination had moth
ing to do with the erection of these
new nations. And are we to pledge
ourselves for all time to maintain the
nations that have been thus erected %
Hitchcock Defends President
Replying to Senator Kellogg, Sen
ator Hitchcock, of Nebraska, the Dem
ocratic leader, declared the peace treaty,
by providing for plebiscite in the
Saar Valley at the end of fifteen years,
had preserved the principle of self
determination for the people of that
valley.
Senator Hitchcock added that attacks
on the President for failing to carry
out all Of his proposals for self-de
termination came with poor grace from
Senator'S who had tried to
discrcdit him during the negotiations.
Senator Brandegee, Republican. Con-
necticut, joining in the debate said |
'the league of nations is Illuminating
over there and our Allies and their
associates have come to a little differ
ence of opinion"
"And all the papers, he continued
"are filled with the remarks OF I]ovd !
George and Millerand and our Presi-
lent about agreements broken had
faith displayed and everything else
Just when the President has been az,
suring us that new day has dawned |
and nations of the world are no Longer
justified in viewing each other WIKI |
suspicion, because they have come 70 |
be moved exclusively by philanthropv
pure altruism and the like
not TO mention Egypt, Persia and Syria
"His note says they've raised the |
question whether the American govern
nent'-that's him-'can at any time CO.
Continued on page eight