Evening star., 1920-11-17
~ n. O. MESSENGER

Private cablegrams received in
Washington from Geneva by officials
and others concerned in the welfare
Of the league Of nations convey the
clear intimation that the expecta-
tion of the assembled nations attend
ing tho meeting Of the league IL that
the United States viii enter the pres
ent association in some form. De-
pending upon this, 1t il reported the
conference will 80 ahead with Its
work. regardless Of the f1ct that the
United States 10 not At present Q
member of the league.
The present temper Of the Geneva
meeting IL described a. neg8tfving
the declaration Of the ffreconcllables
in the United States that the league
fallacy Of that pronouqcetnsnt that
every effort will be madesG0 SHOW -tffe
league to be functioning. even with
out the United States.
This, Of course. with the view Of
holding up the hands Of the men in
the United States who still hope for
participation Of this country in the
league, in some modified and restrict
ed form 30 far az certain obligations
imposed by the original covenant are
concerned.
VIII Net Insist en Article 4.
None Of the advices received here
indicate that the present conference
win insist on retaining article X.
The rejection Of that provision by the
United States il regarded N So posi-
tive and unmistakable that NO other
member Of the league 10 likely to in
sist upon its retention finally
Intimation Of this sentiment pre-
vailins in Geneva. It is forecast, will
be made in \ manner to attract at
tention and to further stimulate ef-
forts on this side Of the water in be-
half OF the United States coming into
the league.
William n. Taft. it was learned to-
day. concurs in the opinion enter
tanned by Elihu Root that the Hard
ing administration and the new Sen
ate will agree upon some form Of COW
enant for participation by the United
States in an association Of nations
and Mr.. Taft still believes that it will
be the existing league Of nations
with the covenant modified.
1t is known that there is a group
of prominent men working upon the
basis of an association to be present
ed to Senator Harding when he gets
back to Marion and begins his con-
ferences with '-the leading minds OF
America" on the subject
The principal point of difference
said to be existing among these lead
ing minds now is whether to take the
functioning league as the ground.
work, framing some plan by which
the United States shall come in to it,
satisfaction and assured of protecting
its especial points of interest. or be.
gin anew.
Think Pre.ideat May Act.
There is renewal in political circles
Of speculation as to whether Presi.
dent Wilson may forestall the expect.
ed action of the pro-leaguers in q
made e-by-republicans' league, b,
sending the Versailles treaty to the
Senate at this session of Congress
before the new administration and the
next Senate can have a chance at it.
No specific information as to the
Presidents intention in this regard Is
obtAinable. the best belief being tina,
he has not yet made up his own
mind. He may be Influenced to a de
cision. ii is said. by the outcome OF
the Geneva conference having plenty
of time before the session begins
and even thereafter
should turn out a brilliant success
it is argued that President Wilson
might be encouraged to have another
try during his own administration ir
getting the United States into the
league.
-feSnwhile, the irreconcilable sena-
tors are said to be up in arms and
tightening their lines of defense
They will fight to the last any eff.
fort to revitalize the league at this
session of Congress and before the
newly elected senators, chosen or
the solemn referendum are in the
Senate to speak and vote