The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-01-10
ISSUE BECOMES
MORE BEFOCCED
Senators Quibble While Ger
many Formally RatifieS
Peace Treaty.
SOLUTIONS SUGGESTED
President Might Run, Be Elect
ed and, After Ratification,
Resign Office
SOLUTIONS SUGGESTED


Washington, Jan. 10.7 SN. ST.
While the treaty of pc 5as being
formally ratified in today, it
was still a moot q on In the
United States senaf :
With the issue sged by the
statement of Pr at Wilson and
the opposing viz II William Jen-
nings Bryan, tn fas apparently no
course of actio.~ efinitely contem-
plated by the senate. Senator Me-
Nary. who has been a leader in the
efforts for compromise, declared
that he would continue on.
Among the democrats there was
considerable confusion as to Just
what the president had intended in
his statement and how far he was
willing to go with even interpreta-
tive reservations. Senator Hitchcock
administration leader, asserted, how
ever, that there were sufficient votes
that could be held to the support of
the president to insure any action he
should advise.
The coming election of a demo-
cratic leader occupied greater inter-
est than the treaty. The contest be-
tween Senator Hitchcock and Sena-
tor Underwood has been sharpened
by the presidents statement. Sena-
tor Underwood favors early action
on the treaty and it was believed that
this fact might swing some support
to him from those democratic sena-
tors who are not keen about the
presidents position,
Presidents Position.
"On the Sth day of January, 1915"
Senator Hitchcock declared at the
jackson day rally. the president in
his address to congress stated his
fourteen objects of the war which
must be included in the peace set
tlement. One of them was the prop
osition of league of nations. The
declaration met with an electrical
response, not only in the great au-
dience to which it was delivered be-
fore the senate and house, but
throughout the United States and all
nations of the world.
The president proceeding on the
guStlnaDle assumption that he WAS
backed by public opinion of the United
states went to Paris Ard succeeded IN
Incorporating in the treaty of peace a
covenant OF the league of nations"
senate, thus summed up the situation.
He is known to have been expressing
the feelings OF the president when he
uttered those words. The president
likewise is known to reel implicitly that
when he was in Paris he mad the pubIic
at home behind him, and that the ter
ritic hight he put up there was not so
much because they were mis- views, bur
because he, in his own mind, stood
pledged TO that public. to bring home to
them peace with covenant OF a league
OF nations.
Lack Of Authority.
The republicans today claim he acted
on his own authority and was not
backed by the, country. With this as
the big issue in the campaign for the
presidency they challenge the democrats
to go before the people. How Presi-
dent Wilson, under these circumstances,
can get out OF offering himself and
his league TO the public for its judg-
here to see. President Wilson, they de-
clare. is himself as mucn the issue as
Is the league because the two are In
separable.
Uncertain Attitude.
That the president is not certain hut
that he may be forced into the cam
palgn TO defend himself and the treaty
before the country and the world, is
seen by some in the total lack of any
reference whatsoever to third term
W ms party I0uIbuHN
night. Apparently he stands ready 10
face the issue in whatever manner il
may present itself to him.
One Solution Suggested.
one solution would be that indicated:
Openly offer himself as candidate for
a third term, with the covenant for
his platform, and the party's next
choice for president on the ticket as
candidate for vice president And then.
II elected retire after having completed
his task, leaving the duties Of Office fan
upon the other.
This procedure. it is understood, IS
perfectly constitutional The president
may resign whenever he may choose
and automatically the vice president
becomes his successor.
The candidacy of President Wilson
would be accepted and understood NV
the public as one of pure form, those
who are discussing it observe, and the
people would cast their votes accord
lngly. President Wilson, of course. may
take the alternative ahd he may nick
candidate, who viii I'm reality repre-
sent him In the race. But in such an
event, it Is considered, he would he
preJudicing his case in advance, for
there Is perhaps even more antagonism
to a presidents naming his successor
in America than there Is against a third
term.
Destiny seems as busy today with the |
presidents career ms IL was when he |
came out OF a college class room 10 he |
thrust, so. to speak, into the White |
House and the salon des glances In |
Versailles, Not everybody believes he |
can successfully defy IT,