New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-01-01
Pomerene DeclaresAgres-
ment Will Be Reached
People Are Insistent on
Ratification, He Says
Reservations No
Longer Obstacle
Doubt Still Is Expressed
Whether President VIII
Accept a Compromise
Ncu York Tribune
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Ncw Yorl- Tribune
Washington Burecu
WASHINGTON, Dec. 31.-Presi-
dent Wilson to-day injected himself
into the negotiations for a compro-
mise on the peace treaty in the Sen
ate. He sent his Secretary. Joserh
T. Tumulty, to the Capitol TO study
the situation and report back to him.
A cloak of mystery was thrown
around Mr.. Turulty's activities. He
arrived al the Capitol after the
days DEVELOPMENTS in the treaty
situation had convnceid the Demo-
cratic Senators that they had
reached the point where they rlsut
decide whether 10 take matters into
their own hands and proceed with
negotiations for a compromise re-
gardless Of whether the President
would accept the results Of their eff
forts, or to wait for the President to
send them definite word as to what
they should do.
Funuitv Sees Hitchcock
Secretary Tumulty conferred with
Senator Hitchcock, Of Nebraska, act
ing leader of the Administration
forces in the Senate. for an hour and
half. He denied, however, that he
carried any message from the Pres
ldent to Mr.. Hitchcock OF the other
Democratic Senators. He said the
President had asked him to inquire
INTO the treaty situation in the Sem
ate and report to him how far COM
promise negotiations had proceeded.
Senator Hitchcock later decried the
Importance Of Nh Tumulty's visit.
Nj. Tumultv happened" TO be in III,
neighborhood of the Capitol, and "iust
dropped II" 10 inquire boat the situa
tion. said the Senator
Mr.. Tumulty did lot bring any
message from the President" said
Senator Hitchcock. IN reply to
question as to whether the visit had
caused him to change his opinion that
me President was not prepared to u
fer any compromise or entertain aay
compromise proposal, the Senator
SAID
at has not. believe the Pres
dents position is the same as il has
been"
President Intentions Doubtful
Senator Hitchcock indicated that.
as the result of his talk with Nh
Tumulty he IS not at al. certain tha.
the President will accept a COM
PROMISE
There is no change in my opinion"
he said, that we will have to take
chance that the Pres dent wlll deposit
ratification Of the treaty after we
have worked out Al compromise"
Il t'd not bring any word from the
President" said Mr.. Tumulty II did
see the President this morning. He
was anxious to find out just what the
treaty situation is and assigned me TO
go to Senator Hitchcock and find out.
will report the situation back to
him."
Democratic members Of the Foreign
Relations Committee conferred with
Senator Hitchcock tonight regarding
Mr.. Tumulty's visit and also on the
result of long meeting this morning
between Senator Lodge and Senator
Pomerene, Democrat. Of Ohio. Before
the conference tonight, Senator Hitch
cock predicted that an agreement on
reservations would be reached.
Compromise Forced, Says Hitchcock
Il think the inevitable necessity Is
going to force compromise" said
Senator Hitchcock. 81 nope that it will
come in January, but it rs slow work
getting together on common basis
Of understanding"
To-night's conference " the first
chance the Democratic meioners of the
Foreign Relations Committe have had
to discuss the progress of -ompromiss
negotiations. said Senator litchcock
Satisfactory results wer, achieved"
ne announced 81 its conclusion. I've
discussed specific proposals Tor a COM
promise" Mr. Hitchcock added. I'VE
considered what each of US had learned
from our discussions with other Sem
ators, and thoroughly discussed the
whole subject. We reached no cor
clusions, however"
Senator Hitchcock said that the
Democratic leaders VIII not submit any
compromise proposal to the Repuh-
licans as the result Of the conference.
The compromise must be worked
cut through individual discussions
among Senator'S" said Senator Hitch
cock. eve viii continue TO hold these
discussions"
The conference was held at Senator
Hitch cocks home. All of the Demo-
cratic members of the committee ex-
cept Senator Shields. of Tennessee,
who is supporter Of the lodge res
ervations. were invited.
Only Senators Pomerene, Swanson
and Pittman were able to attend, be-
sides Senator Hitchcock. Senator Viii
Jams, o. Mississippi, was unable to be
present, and Senator Smith. of Arr
IONA, is out OF the city.
Senator Pomerene Hopeful
Senator Pomerene. after his cor.
ference with Senator Lodge this morr.-
ing. said he was very hopeful of an
early agreement on reservations thar
uill r"ake ratification roasib'e He was