Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-03-17
REPUBLICANS OUT With
new RESERVATION TO PACT
COVERING PEACE OF EUROPE
General Declaration nterna onal Policy Under Which T.
Would View With Grave Concern" any Future Upheava
Menacing Peace Of Europe-RepubGcans To Press New
Reservation in Senate-Ind icates Limit They Are Willing
To Go Toward Abandonment American Isolation-May
Win Over Senators Antagonistic to Article Ten

Washington. March ia general
declaration of International policy
under which the United States would
view with grave concern any fu,-
ure upheaval threatening the peace
and freedom of Europe. was agreed ~
by Republican Senate leaders toda. J
the peace treaty. Intended 10 re-
place the more definite placing uf
pressed in the Senate as the farthest
step the Republican leaders are will
ing TO go toward abandonment of
american isolation and participation
in European conflicts. Its text fol-
lows:
1T shall be the declared policy Of
this government that the freedom
and peace Of Europe being again
threatened by any power or commits
sion of powers. the United States
VIII regard such a situation with
grave concern. and Will concur what
if any, action it will take in the
premises"
Senator Lenroot Of Wisconsin
drafted the reservation in consulta-
ton in other Senate leaders and IN
troduced il IN the Senate at the END
Of a day Of debate on the irish qucs-
ton which delayed action ana
blocked the plan 10 SET a day for a
final vote on the treaty's ratification.
II generally was predicted tonight.
however. that discussion OF the re
naming issues of the treaty contTo-
verSy soon would spend itself ana
that the ratification roll call would
come Friday and Saturday.
Not many Democrats had had IN
opportunity tonight 10 study the new
Republican proposal, and II was UNI
certain how much support 1t would
command from that side of he
chamber Some senators predicted
however. that il might have the +
feet Of Softening the resentment OF
the administration over Article Ten
reservation and win over enough
more Democratic votes to ratlfy the
treaty.
A claim of further salns IN breaking
down administration res.s stance was
made on the Republican side during tAe
dav and some Of the Republican leaders
were asserting tonight that the roll car
would show a total very close 10 int
tvo-thirds required TO ratify with the
Republican reservations. 1t IS unuer-
stood 10 be the purpose. II raCfcat!pI
fails. 10 reconsider and take secono
vote in the hope that after they nave
made their record of opposition hand
f,1l more Of the Democratic senators
Will leave the administration lead ano
save the treaty from another tallure-
The new reservation follows the gen.
eraI outline Of a declaration winch was
contained IN resolution INTRODUCED
several months ago by Senator AnoN
Republican. Pennsylvania, and never
acted on by the Senate Those VINO
support il declare that while II would
leave the United States free from any
definite promise 10 intervent IN EURO
pean affairs. il also would give eN!'
dence of the national interest IN the III
ture war such as the one Just closed.
The words grave concern one SEN
ator pointed ont. usually carry deep SIG
nificance in diplomatic usage ana ire
auentlv have been employed 10 describe
an attitude contemplating possible ac-
ton. Supporters Of the reservation say
that in its moral effect such a declara,
ton would he powerful deterrent
should any nation again purpose TO de-
spoil Europe as Germany did
1t is expected. that il also will be ar
gued that the reservation would lend
immediate moral support TO the struE-
Cling new nations of Europe and would
be reassuring to France. whose defen-
sive treaty with this country still awaits
ratification here and faces a bitter tighl
if il is called up for action.
Debate on the proposal may begin TO-
morrow though the leaders thought i,
more likely to go over until senators
had been given an opportunity TO study
il. About a dozen other reservations
presented by individual senators remain
10 be disposed Of and one of them. re-
lating TO the Egyptian protectorate. has
been before the Senate more than ful
days session.
II was in connection with this reser-
walton. presented by Senator Owen
Democrat. Oklahoma. that todays re-
vival of debate on the Irish problem
was precipitated. Senator Shields. Lem.
ocrat. Tennessee. opened the subject by
moving 10 add a declaration that tbs
United States understands Great Britain
will declare Ireland free. In its course
the debate developed some sharp ex.
changes and apparently was n full
blast when a recess was taken tonight
Republican and Democratic leaders
alike had hoped for an agreement TO-
day 10 vote not later than Friday on
ratification. but they withheld any such
request in view of the unexpected time
taken up by the other reservation. An
agreement may he had tomorrow.