New-York tribune., 1920-03-17
Senate Leaders Plan Pol
icy Pledging Aid to Pre-
vent War in Europe if
Proposed Covenant Fails
Bryan To-day Will
Urge Ratification
Hitchcock Solidifes Dem
ocratic cOpposition;Self-
Rule forErin Demanded

From INC iffOune " nSHtHQtOH bureau
WASHINGTON, March e16.-Dec-
laration by the Senate of q new
American policy in which the United
States would pledge itself to aid in
preserving peace in Europe will be
urged by Republican Senate leaders
if the treaty of peace with Germany
fails Of ratification.
The Republican Senate leaders are
convinced that there is little pros
pect of ratification, and to-day made
tentative plans for making a sepa-
rate peace with Germany. A reso-
luton declaring that peace exists
between the United States and Ger
many will be offered soon after the
final vote is had on ratification, In
case the treaty is defeated in the
Senate; and it is planned to include
in the peace resolution a declaration
Of policy in which Europe will be as
sured that the United States has
not deserted the nations that were
her allies in the war.
Lenroot Offers Policy Draft
Senator Lenroot, Republican, of Wis
consin, offered a draft of the proposed
declaration of policy in the Senate just
before adjournment to-day. He ad-
vanced it as an additional reservation
to the treaty, but said later he would
call it up again when a resolution for
separate peace is brought into the Sen
ate after the treaty fails. The Lenroot
declaration of policy" follows:
ut shall be the declared policy of
this government that the freedom and
peace OF Europe being again threat
ened by any power or combination of
powers, the United States will regard
such situation with grave concern,
and VIII consider what, if any, action
1t Will take in the premises"
Senator Knox, of PENNSYLVANIA, pro-
posed SIMILAR declaration of policy as
part OF separate peace resolution in
troduced IN the Senate last November.
senator Knox in the same resolution
also proposed that the United States
eal a conference of the principal
po"ers TO discuss means for safeguard
lug 'ite peace OF the world as substi-
tute Tor the league of nations.
Senator Lodge had intended to ask
'fc Senate to adopt a unanimous con-
sent agreement fixing the final vote
iol FRIDAY, but withheld his request in
'roer 10 give the Democratic Senators
Wn Wno are revolving against President
"nsoh lurther opportunity to try to
get more Democratic votes for ratifca-
ton.
Bryan to Back Ratification
William ]. Bryan will visit the Sen
s'e tomorrow. it was said to-day and
'a!k with Democratic Senator'S in an
snort 70 secure their votes for ratitica-
uon. Mr.. Bryan will urge the Demo-
Gratis to ratlfy the treaty with reserva-
.iohs that have been adopted, in order
20 prevent its being the dominant issue
IN the Presidential campaign. He op-
posed making the treaty an issue in
sne campaign at the Jackson Day
oinner OF the Democrats, declaring
mat the course advocated by Presi-
cent Wilson would be Suicidal" to
me Democratic party.
Senator Hitchcock. leader of the Ad
nlnlstration forces in the Senate. said
.o-day that at least twenty-five Demo
efa'lc Senators would vote with the
ton.
Inc Senate to-day discussed self
aeetermination of subject peoples, while
,ne leaders of the various factions
IN the treaty fight sought to strengthen
s snelr forces for the final vote on rat-
ucation. Discussion centered about
tne owen reservation declaring it to
Ss Se The understanding of the United
Hnsates that self-determination would
os granted to Egypt. The reservation
reads as follows:
4, The United States understands
.he protectorate referred to in Sec
sloh o OF the treaty to have been
merely war measure to preserve
Ts"e integrity and independence of
egypt during the war"
senator Lodge, of Massachusetts
"'sea adoption of the reservation.
Freedom Asked for Ireland
senator Shields, Democrat, of Tenn
yscoe. soe, onered an amendment for the
mreaeogni:ion ma of the freedom of Ireland.
"e amendment was as follows:
Inc United States further under
t.ands that in fulfllment and execu-
ds. s,Un OF the great principle of self
19.e.ermlnation of peoples and equal
s OF all governments pervading
sao underlying the covenant of the
s.HsSae OF nations that Great Britain
w. ~" forthwith recognize the exist
th nss ana political independence of
sa snc Republic OF Ireland. and agree
.ast 1t become member of the
saeuc Of nations with equal repre-
ser'atien accorded to all other SOW
s''sn independent governments"
senator Thomas. Democrat, of Col
100; proposed to amend thc Shields
frmendn"ns by making il apply also to