The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-01-09
PEACE PACT TO
| BECOME issue
Only Forlorn Hopes Remain
for Ratification of Treaty
Without Reservations.
DIVERGENT VIEWS HELD
Between Wilson and Bryan
Center of Interest in Po-
litical Circles.
(Bv WILLIAM PHIiIp SIMMeN

Washington, Jan, 9.--U. N. S)-
Party leaders here today are CON
vinced that only the Iorlornest OF
iorlorn hopes remain for the ratifi-
cation of the treaty, and believe tha
the pact Will become the paramount
issue OF the presidential campaig
This being the case sober, no )
partisan judgment based upon fin -
hand knowledge of nationwide @ =
ditiohs, is that nothing can save e
two old line parties from splitting
over the issue, leaving the way more
than ever open for middle parties, -
Independent candidates and last mo-
ment candidates. Only the next few
days can definitely settle the ques-
tion 'of just how serious the clash in
the democratic party is between
President Woodrow Wilson and Will
liam Jennings Bryan. That there is
a wide difference of opinion at the
moment is not disputed. The presi-
dent says let the treaty go to the
country as a campaign issue If the
republicans refuse to ratiH the pact
with reservations attached which
merely interpret it. Bryan insists
that the democratic party cannot go
to the people on such an issue. The
difference of opinion therefore exists
and only a compromise in the senate,
between the mild reservationists on
both sids, can save the democratic
party from the consequences of the
split between its two great leaders.
Nevertheless, politicians of both
the two big parties who have taken
swing around the country testing
Oninion 6polarp tbapa aro v,nonu mao
pie, both democratic and republican,
who want the league of nations.
Churches are said to be almost unani-
nous in favor of it: also labor women
and other factions in 1920 politics. If
this appreciation of conditions Is true,
political forecasters here today claim,
voting win not be strictly along party
lines next fall but will be according to
whether the voters favor or oppose the
treaty OF Versailles with the covenant
of the league of nations which it car
ries.
However, much opinion may be di-
vided on the question of the treaty and
the making of 1t the paramount issue
in the political campaign this year, there
can be no two opinions as to who Is
today the undisputed leader of the
democratic party. 1t is President Wood
row Wilson.
The famous Jackson Day rally, with
its twin dinners. has come. and gone
and today politicians refnaining In the
capital are blinking their eyes over the
complete domination OF the party's s
leaders by the Wilson influence. His
name acted like magic among them.
William Jennings Bryan, many
thought, would sound the party key
note" and stampede the rally to his side.
But though Bryan's tongue held the sill
yer ring as of old, his eloquence did not
Il al a
At one time Bryan was actually
heckled presumably by his own political
kin, since none but democrats were in
vited to the feast. At the moment when
the commoner turned the corner of his
speech and said he must say something
more, even at the risk of being un-
popular, several voices raised an up
cry at the south end of the hall
"Stick by the president" someone
shouted loudly, and some Others took up
the cry
"Stick by the president"
Bryan for Il moment was slenced. He
turned and faced the party OF the hall
whence had come the interruption
Those sitting near him saw his jaws
clinch and his eyes blaze for a mo-
ment.
II have nothing TO add" said Mr.
Bryan today. Il stated the case fully
last night 1t was a partisan gathering,
~
standpoint!
"In my judgment. no party can afford
to assume responsibility for n delay of
fourteen months in accepting the peace
treaty. No one can guarantee the world
against disturbance and chaos for an
election. The delay is not only indefi-
mite. but unnecessary, and we should
accept such compromise as we can get.
Then we should proceed to do
through our delegates to the league of
nations, whatever our nation wants
done. II we accept reservations those
opposed to acceptance might at once
begin a campaign to secure changes in
the provisions stricken out by the resor-
vations. enu this fight carried on with
out assuming responsibility for delayed
ratification.
"The position Of those demanding a
return to the original treaty would be
much stronger than II they had to carry
responsibility for delayed ratification" "