The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-02-02
Both Parties in Senate Join to
Hasten Ratification.
Action on Peace Pact Next
Week Now Certain.
GREY LETTER ALTERS STATUS
Taken as Approval of Reserva-
tions by England.
Former Ambassador to e. S.
Was Here Officially.

Washington, Feb. "A renewal of
the debate on the peace treaty and the
League of Nations in the senate next
week was assured today when Repub-
lican leaders decided to join with the
Democrats in the movement to bring
the treaty back into open meetings of
the senate.
Senator Lodge. the Republican
leader, planned to give notice today
that he would move on next Monday
to suspend the rules and proceed to
consideration of the treaty, The
Democrats already had announced that
they would make a similar motion
Tuesday OF next week
Lodge VIII Try First.
In the form proposed by Senator
Lodge, the motion will require a two
thirds majority. but the general pre-
diction was that more than that num-
Der would support it. Not only those
who favor ratification in some form,
but some of the treaty's irreconcilable
foes are ready to reopen the debate.
Should Senator Lodges motion fail,
however the motion of the Demo-
cratic leaders the following day will
be in such form that only a majority
would be necessary to pass it, the
party leaders say.
The Democrats contend that no sus-
pension of the rules would be neces-
sary to take up the treaty and that
position is expected to be upheld by
Vice President Marshall. On appeal
from his decision. a majority only
would be needed to sustain him.
Grey Letter Hastens Things.
The letter by Viscount Grey, former
British ambassador to the United
States. to the London Times. in which
he said that the American reservations
to the peace treaty were justified from
an American point of view, was be-
lieved here today would hasten ratifi-
cation.
Senators who favor reservations
held that Grey's letter took the ground
out from under those members who
were against any reservations what
ever and who have said that the allies
would not accept them. 1t was point
| ed out that Britain, the principal asso-
ciate of the United States in the war,
expressed thru Grey a willingness to
accept many of the reservations which
have been proposed.
| His attitude, and the fact that he
| even went so far as to argue in favor
| of certain American reservations Is
| expected to strengthen the stand OF
/ senators who favor quick ratification
| on a compromise basis, even if prac-
tically all of the Lodge reservations
! have to be accepted.
| Watch White House Closely.
! Senators today were watching close
| 1y for some sign of what the White
tude. President Wilson's stand all
! along has been that he could not ac-
cept changes in the treaty or the
League of Nations covenant because
he had signed the original documents
thus promising the allies that they
would be accepted by the United
| States
Grey's letter, it was believed. give:
the president an excellent opportunity
to change this position. if he so de-
sires. In fact some senators though
Grey had almost invited him to do so
The former ambassadors letter rep
resents the official policy of Grea
Britain toward American ratification
it is understood here.
While in Washington he consulted
1 with many senators and 'sized up" tht
situation at first hand. went home ant
reported to his government and short
1y thereafter wrote his letter to th'
London Times