Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-03-18
X RESERVATION
FINALLY ADOPTED
Senate Vote Is Sc to 26--Deci-
sion Is Accepted as fastening
the Treaty Toward Another
Deadlock

Washington, March 15.-Reaffirming
its disagreement with President Will
son on the dominating issue of the
peace treaty controversy, the Senate
adopted to-day by n vote of more
than two to one the new article ten
reservation framed by republican lead
ers.
Its action brought to an end, at
least for the present. the p~rotracted ef-
fort for a compromise that would in
sure ratification, and the Senate's de-
cision was accepted generally as
Fastening the treaty oward another
deadlock from which 1t could be re-
leased only by a verdict at the polls
next November.
Fourteen democrats voted with the
united republican membership for the
reservation, but this detection from
the administration ranks fell far short
Of the number that would be required
to ratify. 1t was conceded that others
probably would swing over on the rati-
~fication roll CALL. but administration
leaders, backed by a definite aseur-
ance that the new reservation was IN
acceptable to the President, evidenced
no apprehension that their forces would
dwindle beyond the danger point.
IA' NOl' " d'loItioh' w W S'
on its face a two-thirds majority for the
reservation. but It by no means indicated
that two-thirds would vote for ratifica-
ton on that basis. Included in the ma
jority were the irreconctlables holding
about a score of votes which on the rat
ification roll call will be cast against
the treaty.
THE AMENDED ARTICLE TEN
The reservation, adopted after many
efforts to modify 1t had been rolled under
by the solidly united republican major
ity. follows in general form the one
adopted last November. 1t Ia as follows;
1.-THE United States assumes no obliga-
ton to preserve the territorial integrity
or political independence of any other
country by the employment of its military
or naval forces, its resources, or any form
of economic discrimination. or to inter-
fere in any way In controversies between
nations. including all controversies relat-
ing TO territorial integrity or political
independence, whether members Of the
league or not. under the provisions OF
article ten, or to employ the military or
naval forces of the United States, under
any article of the treaty for any pur-
pose. unless in any particular case the
Congress which, under the Constitution.
has the sole power to declare war or
authorize the employment of the military
or naval forces Of the United States. shall,
In the exercise OF full liberty OF action.
by action or joint resolution so provide
On adoption of the original article ten
reservation last November the vote was
as 70 80, with only four democrats, Sena-
tors Reed, Gore. Smith of Georgia and
Walsh of Massachusetts voting in the
affirmative.
the Senate's reconsideration Of the IA
reservations adopted in November, but
several new proposals remain to be
disposed Of before the vote on ratifi-
cation. Most leaders thought tonight
however that the end would come this
week.
Senators agreed that virtually the
only hope of ratification lay in the
possibility Of a serious break in the
democratic support Of he President
Instead of breaking. however. the adj
ministration lines frightened to-day as
Senator Hitchcock of Nebraska. the
democratic leader passed the word
that he had definitely confirmed his
belief that Mr.. Wilson would not take
the new reservation.
Senator Hitchcock did not disclose
details of his communications with
the White House. but informed his
colleagues he had been told the Presi-
dent found the article ten substitute
quite as Objectionable as the original
reservation.
The Presidents stand and the adamant
cohesion of the republican majority COM
bined to bolster up the position Of the
administration leaders in the Senate and
the fourteen democrats who supported
the reservation on the roll call represented
less than half the democratic strength
which had been promised for the republic.
can substitute as originally drafted.
Senator Simmans of North Carolina. who
had been in charge of the compromise
negotiations for the democrats, himself
voted against the reservation after a
draft of his own, providing that the
United States should he bound only to
exercise its friendly offices in protecting
other nations. had been rejected 81 to q.
Among other substitutes offered from
the democratic side was that written by
former President Taft. but it failed to get
a single republican vote and was beaten,
as to 20. The draft framed in the recent
bipartisan conferences also was pre-.
sented by the democrats and was voted
down. % to 81.
From the republican side, Senator
Frelighuysen's substitute fatty denying
any obligation under article ten went
down. 50 to II, the leaders of both partlae
standing against II.
An effort will be made tomorrow TO set
a time FOR the vote on ratification but
the prospect Of an agreement was uncer.