Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-01-16
CONF PROM|SE. NOW
SEEMS PROBABLE
ON PEACE TREATY
Bipartisan Conference Re-
wives Hopes of Early Settle
ment; Fight for Senate Lead
erShip Is Unsettled.


Washington, Jan, 15.--At hi
partisan "round table" conference of
senate leaders late today formal ne
gotiations toward a compromise ON
reservations to the peace treaty were
inaugurated. While no agreements
were reached at the meeting, which
was participated in by four repub-
licans and five democrats prominent
in recent informal negotiations, and
which lasted two hours. another
meeting will be held Saturday and
in senate circles tonight there was
renewed hope of a compromise,
The conference, in which repub-
lican Leader Lodge and Senator
Hitchcock, administration leader,
were leaders, followed the unsuccess-
full attempt of democratic senators at
a party caucus to elect a leader TO
succeed the late Senator Martin, OF
Virginia. After two attempts to
break a tie vote of 10 to 10 on Sen
ator Hitchcock and Senator Under
wood, Of Alabama, the two candi-
dates, the caucus adjourned subject
TO the Joint call of the two senator's
Another caucus is planned after
Carter GLASS; senator-elect from Vir-
ginia, an Underwood supporter, takes
his seat. but the result still remains
in doubt because of the position of
Senator Smith, of Georgia, who with
held his vote today and took no sides
for or against either Mr.. Hitchcock
or Mr.. Underwood.
Another development today In the
treaty situation was visit to the
capitol by William j. Bryan.
The former secretary of state con-
ferred with several republicans as
well as democratic senator's, urging
an immediate compromise on reserVa-
tions and ratification of the treaty.
He also advocated his plan of with
drawal of democratic participation in
voting on the treaty ii compromise
negotiations should fail, suggesting
that the democrats decline to vote
and permit the republicans to ratify
the treaty alone and accept sole re-
sponsibility.
Mr.. Bryan also reiterated that 1t
would be fatal to the democrats to
share responsibility of carrying the
treaty into the presidential elections
and delaying peace fourteen months,
or to approve reservations curtaiiing
power of congress.
The conference between the demo-
cratic and republican leaders was
by Senator Lodge as
"the first, practical step" in the com
promise negotiations. In addition toI
Senators Lodge and Hitchcock, the
were Senators New OF
Indiana, Lenroot of Wisconsin and
Kellogg Of Minnesota, republicans,
and Senators Mcclellan of Tennessee,
Simmons of North Carolina, Walsh
Of Montana and owen of Oklahoma,
democrats. Both delegations were
chosen informally and were said TO
be without specific authority to act
for their respective sides, but leaders
hope that subsequent negotiations
will result in compromise which !
will muster the two-thirds vote nee
essary to ratification.
The Lodge reservations were the |
basis of discussion at the conference, |
While no formal suggestions in writ |
ing for their modification were pre-
sented by the democrats, verbal sug
gestions were made by the democrats |
and these, Senator Lodge said, We're
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