New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-07-11
Proposes Change in Cow
enant Differing From
Presidents View, Limit
ing Ii to War Prevention
Would Place Final
Ruling on Congress
Democratic Nominee to
Relegate the Liquor
Question to Background

FROM SpseiaI Correspondents
DAYTON, Ohio, July 10.-Presis
dent Wilson Is understood to have
informally agreed to the League Of
Nations program planned by Gov.
er1tor Cox, Democratic nominee for
President.
The Cox program II for immediate
ratification OF the Versailles Treaty,
with reservations that will not de-
stroy its vitals." This differs from
the Administration program of din
terpretive" reservations to con-
siderable extent, but those close to
the Governor say President Wilson
has been won over to the program.
Two reservations already have
been outlined and agreed upon be-
tween the nominee and the Chief
Executive, it can be said on the best
of authority. One of these reserva-
tions will be that it shall be clearly
understood and agreed upon by all
members Of the league that the Con-
gress Of the United States shall have
full and sole authority to say when
the military and naval forces of the
United States shall be employed.
The other reservation the Governor
has tentatively outlined is to state
clearly that all members of the league
agree to make the main and virtually
the only work of the league the pre-
vention of war.
Would Placate Many Democrats
With these reservations, those in
Cox's confidence assert the nominee
will be able to go before the nation
without alternating any support within
his own party. and with the hope of
drawing support from the opposing
parties.
So keenly does Governor Cox feel
the necessity Of accepting reservations
to the league that. before his conf
dants allowed anything concerning his
attitude to leak out, several long tele-
phone conversations were held be-
tween Trails End, the Governors
home. and the White House. Cox
talked to Secretary Tumulty and
through him, it is revealed from a
source close to Mr.. Cox, transmitted
his views to Mr.. Wilson.
The President is said to have been
disinclined at first to listen to any pro-
posal to amend the league covenant
by anything other than clarifying"
reservations. What influence Mr.. Cox
was able to bring to bear upon the
question is not revealed, but it can be
said on the best Of authority that tho
Cox plan of reservations has been in
formally Endorsed by the President.
1t is evident here that Governor Cox
has no insention of allowing Mr.. Will
SON to dictate his stand on the League
Of Nations. Those who have talked to
the Governor about the league have
come away with the impression that
the nominee is weighing the matter
in his own mind and is determined to
create an entirely different impression
on the League of Nations issue than
has been created by Mr.. Wilson. Gov
ernor Cox is seeking a more flexible
program than that which has been fol-
lowed by the White House, and one
which he believes will more readily
lend itself to campaign appeal.
Cox to Lead Treaty Fight
The difficulty with which Cox is con-
fronted is in making his program ac-
ceptable to the White House. AL
though the NOMINEES has indicated 70
friends that he believes he now is the
leader of the treaty fight and Mr.. Will
son no longer is, yet Cox Is anxious
not to ALLEVIATE any Administration
support. Above all things he wants
complete harmony within the Demo-
cratic ranks.
1t is because of the Importance Of
reaching common ground OF UNDER
standing on the league issue that Gov
ernor Cox is anxious to hold, his con-
ference with Mr.. Wilson before even
commencing the draft Of his speech Of
acceptance. No date has as yet been
set, but Governor Cox Is ready to 20
to Washington on a moments notice.
rs soon as he is informed from Wash
ington that the President is able to see
him.
It is considered significant that Gov
ernor Cox should have allowed his
views on reservations to become known
following the many telephone CONVEX
sations he has held with Secretary
Tumulty.
ndofsed by White House
Although Governor Cox himself has
nothing to say for publication regard
ing the league issue, there is no doubt
but that the confidential information
being quietly passed out by his inn
mediate friends md advisers comes
directly from the Governors office. A
one of his most intimate friends said
to-day: The Governor wouldn't lef
this information leak out If the pro-
gram had not been Endorsed BY the
White House"
The sudden thrustine into promi-
hence Of the League Of Nakicps issue
is taken here to mean that oovernor
Cox seeks 70 dive<t Attentions from the
liquor issue. Ever sinee ~ received I
telegram from Richmond r. Hobsen.
the Alabama Anti Saloon League leader
demanding that he take nat stand
against any attempt to amend the Vol
sted act to permit increasing the Alec.
holic content of liquor, the Governor
reply. -S1
T is known that Cox wants tho LIQUOR
issue Kept well into the background dur