Arizona republican., 1920-01-16
BARGAINING FUR PACT AGREEMENT FORMALLY OPENS
F a il ure Of Democratic Caucus To Elect Leader Will Have No Effect On Negotiations = Bryan Makes Further Overtures For Compromise
IRepubIican A. p. Leased wirel

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15.-At a bf- 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 republi- cans and five democrats, prominent in recent informal negotiations, and which lasted two hours. another meet ing will be held Saturday and in sen ate circles tonight there was renewed hope of a compromise.
 The conference. in which Republi- can Leader Lodge. and Senator Hitch cock, administration leader, were lead CTS followed the unsuccessful 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 19 to 19 on Senator Hitchcock and Sen ator Underwood of Alabama. the two candidates, the caucus adjourned sub- ject to the joint call of the two sep ators. Another caucus is planned after Carter Glass, senator-e1ect 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 Mir Hitchcock or MT. Underwood
 Suggests Democrats Withdraw
 Another development today in the treaty situation was a visit to the capitol by William J. Bryan
 The former secretary of state con- ferred with several republicans as we'll as democratic senator, urging an immediate compromise on reservations and ratification of the treaty. He also advocated his plan of withdrawal of democratic participation in voting on the treaty if compromise negotiations should fail, suggesting that the demo- crats decline to vote and permit the republicans to ratify the treaty alone and accept sole responsibility
 Mir. Bryan also reiterated that it would be fatal to the democrats to share responsibility of carrying the and delaying peace 14 months or to reservations curtailing power of congress-
 The conference between the demo- cratic and republican leaders was by Senator Lodge as the i1rst practical step" in the compromise negotiations. Tn addition to Senators Lodge and Hitchcock the conferees were Senators New of Indiana. Len root of Wisconsin and Kellogg of Min nesota, republicans, and Senators Mo hellar of Tennessee, Simmons of .NofIn CarOllna. 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 subse- 4uent negotiations will result in a com promise which will muster the two- thirds vote necessary to ratification.
 To Consider Suggestions
 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- sestions were made by the democrats. and these. Senator Lodge said were aken under advisement by the repub- icans. Before the negotiations are concluded it is expected that formal irafts of compromise proposals will be 1 forth
 Failure of the democratic caucus to 1 select a leader today, according to | of both Senators Hitchcock md Underwood, is not expected to 1 nave any. immediate effect on tho reaty questions. Senator Underwood 1 after the caucus. an- | that, regardless of the fina, | 'esult, Senator Hitchcock would con- l inue to handle the treaty for the mi !! lority with his loyal support Senator 1 Simmons, a Hitchcock supporter. also |
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