Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-06-10
Will Never Accept Plank
Ratifying Treaty With or
Without Reservations.
MEETING ENDS WITH FOES
BREATHING AIR OF DEFIANCE
Murray Crane SPILLED the
Beans" That Will Loose Dyna-
mite in the Convention.
ALL HARMONY EFFORTS FA1r
Unless There Is an Uncxpccted
Change Party Will Split as
in 1912.
tBy Associated Press

10! associated Press.
CHICAGO, June 9.-Rcpublican
diieFences over the league of ma
,ions eliminated tonight in an open
threat from irrcconcilable Senator'S
to leave the party unless IL declared
i'atay against the league OF nations.
The ultimatum was delivered in
dramatic fashion at conference os
leaders. 1t put tho league issue
suddenly to the fore of all other
questions before the national con-
rention. not excepting even tho
nomination OF a presidential candi-
date.
Senator Borah, Of Idaho: Bran.
deEce. of Connecticut, and Mccor-
mick, or Illinois, represented the ir-
reconcilables at the conference and
former Senator w. Murray Crane. OF
aassachusetts in past conventions n
national leader. spoke for the group
demanding plank for u league with
reservations. Senator Watson, OF
Indiana. chairman of tho. conycn-
tons resolutions committee, who
was present to represent the party
organization. took the roll OF peace
maker.
GrImly Predict Agreement.
Late tonight tho leaders were only
half heartedly attempting to conceal
their apprehensions over the situa-
tion. Most of them grimly predicted
an agreement. but mono appeared
too sure of his ground. In a session
which promised to last through the
night. resolutions subcommittee,
headed by Senator Watson. sought
TO find n middle counse which would
hold the party together.
Senator Crane. coming unexpccted-
ly into the swim OF convention az
fairs after several days Of quiet
conferences, prefaced the irrecon-
cilable ultimatum by laying on the
council tablo n proposal that tho
party declare aflirmatively for ratl-
fication Of n league OF nations
covenant with safeguarding rescrva-
tions. Backed. he said, by the group
OF mild reservation Senators. he in
d!cated that unless such n plank
were adopted. all the dynamite OF
the league OF nations question would
be let loose on the convention floor.
The reply OF the irrcconcilables
came at once. phrased in terms which
no ono misunderstood. With con-
siderable heat Senator Borah told
the conference that hc and his coll
leagues never could support any
plank declaring aflirmatively for any
ratification OF the treaty, reserva-
tions or no reservations. Should the
party adopt such 4 plank. they de-
clared. they would Immediately and
finally part company with 1t.
Facing Another holt.
In a desperate effort to bring har-
mony Senator Watson pleaded that
the rising animosities OF the con-
ferees be forgotten and that both
sides approach the subject with de-
termination to avoid repetition OF
the disastrous break OF 1912. But
neither side receded and the meeting
ended in an atmosphere of solemn de,
fiancc.
So it stood tonight as tho resolu-
tions Subcommittee OF thirteen
sought to sweat out solution. In
the committee room besides Senator
Watson were Senator'S Borah and Nc
Cormick for tho irreconcilables.
Senator Smoot, OF Utah. and nine men
OF varying shades OF opinion.
Outside tho committee room too,
there were series of feverish con-
fcrcnces as each side sought to assess
how much of the attitude of its ad-
versary was bluff and how much was
genuine.
The irrcconci!able group solemniy
assured their party leaders there
was not a single element OF hluH In
their program, and one of them Is
understood TO have declared that
should the party stand for any sort
OF ratification. he would resign from
the Senate IN order to be free to
carry on the fight
What connection Senator Johnson
might have with the move was not
revealed. Throughout the Senate
fight ho stood shoulder to shoulder
with Senator Borah. but talk OF n
possible Johnson bolt has been dis
counted by the m.n who are closest
here to the California Senator.
No Prohibition Plank.
Although the resolutions subcom.
mittee has been In session all day.
IL scarcely touched, until tonight. on
the league OF nations or any othe.
subject OF serious controversy. Ala
though completely oyershadoBsd by