New-York tribune., 1920-01-02
Borah Starts
To Make Treaty
Campaign Issue
Leader of 'sIrreconcilables''
Asks Lowden TO De.
clare His Position on
''Entangling Alliances
Ne1o York Tribune .
Washington Bureau

" 0Sntn0tOn bureau
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-The group
Of "irreconcilable" Senators who op
pose ratification of the peace treaty in
any form made the first definite move
to-day in their campaign to force the
treaty issue into the 1920 Presidential
campaign. Senator Borah, of Idaho,
Republican, leader of the group, in a
letter to Governor Frank o. Lowden,
sof Illinois. called upon him to an
nounce his attituoe toward "entangling
alliances"
Senator Borah reiterated his an
nounccment Of December &c that the
same question would be put to every
candidate for Office in the coming cleo
tion. 1t was understood that the next
letter to be sent out would go to Ma
jor General Leonard Wood who, like
Governor Lowden, has never expressed
his attitude toward the treaty and the
league Of nations.
No further efforts toward compro-
mise were made to-day by the Re-
publican and Democratic Senators
favoring ratification, although Senator
Hitchcock, leader Of the Administration
forces, discussed informally with other
Senators the results of mis- conference
last night with Senator'S Pomercne,
Swanson and Pittman and with other
Democratic members Of the Foreign
Relations Committee.
Pomerene Confident of Compromise
The task Of working out definite
changes in the Lodge reservations that
the Democrats could demand as the
basis for a compromise was under
taken at the meeting last night, it
said that other conferences will be
held from time to time, as discuss ion
Ct an agreement continues between
individual Senators.
Senator Pomcrene said to-day that
he is confident that q compromise
will be reached. II feel that sentiment
is growing much stronger for a COM
promise both among Democrats and
Republicans, except, of course, the
so-called bitter 'enders'" he said.
Senator Pomcrene came away from
the Democratic members of the For
eign Relations Committee yesterday
with definite idea of what can be
worked out as a compromise. He will
discuss the terms Of the agreement
with individual Senators on both sides
but will not make his plan for a com
promise public until next Monday
when the Senate rcconvenes.
The move of the "i1'reconcilables" tc
carry the treaty into the campaign
was made after the Senators composing
that group had mapped out an eab-
crate program that calls for the ques-
tioning Of every candidate for the
Presidency.
Lowden Asked to State Attitude.
Senator Borah's letter to Governo,
Lowden follows:
"My Dear Governor Lowden:
II understand you are a candidate
for the Presidency Your distinguished
services as Governor of your state jus
tify you in aspiring TO and your friend:
in urging your nomination for thi:
high office.
"As candidate, l assume from you
past public record that you are qut'
willing to share any opinions you ma.
have upon public questions with tn
people whose suffrages you solicit.
II am sure you will agree with M
furthermore that party platforms ar
not quite so important as the view
didate. The things which distinguished
Mr.. Roosevelt's Administration wer
found in no platform. The thing
which characterize Mr.. Wilson's rcigl
are apparently in conflict with the plat
form upon which he was elected. TIL
fact is that the issues Of the campaig
are made after the campaign opens an
the policies Of the Administration ar
made after the inaugural ball is over
From all Of which 1t follows that tn
most vital thing in connection with tn