The New York herald., 1920-01-07
WOULD DEP0SE
PRESIDENT AS
PARTY LEADER
Spectacular Clash Between
Bryan and Wilson Expected
at Jackson Day Dinner.
DEMOCRATS PRESENT
TREATY COMPROMISE
Tentative Programme Offered to Mild
Reservationists as a Basis
for Negotiations.
By DONALD A. CRAIG.
Herald Bureau,
No. 1,J02 II Street, N. w,
: Washington, ID. C., Tuesday. n


Washington. ID. c., Tuesday. j
spectacular clash between President
Wilson and William J. Bryan over the
peace treaty on the occasion of the meet
ing Of the Democratic National Committee
and its accompanying two-group Jackson
Day dinner here on Thursday is foreshad-
cwed as result OF definite move in
the Senate today. backed by Mr.. Bryan,
Tor the speedy ratification Of the treaty by
the acceptance Of the substance Of the
Lodge reservation programme.
Mr.. Bryan has stepped into the limelight
As leader Of the Democratic opposition
to President Wilson's noncompromise atti-
tude on the eve Of the most important
national gathering Of Democrats since the
st. Louis convention in 1916. A definite
written list Of reservations embodying his
views was presented this morning to the
Republican mild reservationists' by Sem
ator -Kendrick. Of Wyoming, and Senator
McKellar. of Tennessee.
After conferences with other Senator's
on the Democratic side. Senators Kendrick
and McKellar told -Senator McNary. Re-
publican. OF Oregon, who acted as go
between. that they believed forty-four of
the forty-seven Democrats would support
this new programme. which they described
as merely q 'toning down" of the Lodge
reservations. This is probably too liberal
an estimate Just now, but II shows the
way tho wind is blowing.
There Is no longer any doubt in the
minds OF the Democratic leaders In Wash
fngton that Mr.. Bryan has made up his
mind to wrest the leadership of the party
on the treaty issue from President Wilson
II he can. Within the last few weeks he
has informed many Democratic Senators
that he believes the ratification of the
reace treaty is Of more Importance than
the defeat OF the Lodge reservations. He
wants the treaty out of the way before
the issues of the Presidential campaign arc
formulated.
Regarded ~ Significant.
Coming on tho eve Of the meeting OF the
big Democratic gathering here this week
the activities OF Mr.. Bryan's friends in
the Senate Is regarded as of the utmost
significance In the party counsels. Presi-
dent Wilson has announced through Mr.
Tumulty that he will address an impor-
tant communication to the Democratic
chleftains at the dinner. 1t is understood
the President will discuss the treaty and
third term.
Mr.. Bryan will also speak at the Jack.
son Day dinner. His speech and the let
ter of President Wilson--for 1t is not ex-
pected that the President will be able to
attend In person-will be the big features
of the gathering. It would not be SUR
prising II the President should take direct
issue with the compromise proposals OF
Mr.. Bryan and that a party split of ma
tionwide extent should result.
Although Mr.. Wilson is still the idol OF
the party. and although the Democrats
seem ready to follow him on every other
issue, they are impatient at his stubborn
attitude on the treaty. Beyond a doubt
the Democratic members OF the Senate
are almost a unit in their sympathy with
the Bryan move for a practical compro-
mise on the treaty In order to bring about
speedy ratification. 1t Is only their sense
OF loyalty to the President that has kept
them from accepting the Lodge pro-
r-yamme virtually intact and disposing OF
the treaty long ago.
The reservations PROPOSED by Senators
Kend-ick and McKellar and concurred In
by Mr.. Bryan-or. perhaps. originally
suggested by him-are not being put for
ward as the limit of the concessions which
the Democrats are willing to make. They
are understood to be the - 80 for further
neeotiations with the Republicans. and az
such they were welcomed today by the
",n;ld rescrvationists," who seemed more
bopeful OF success than at any time since
the treaty controversy arose.
Senator McNary, after receiving q copy
NJ the reservations from Senator Ken
drick. showed them to other Republican
'.mild reservationists'' and gave a copy to
SENATOR Lodge. the Republican leader.
Chief Features Of Proposal.
They are not satisfactory to any Of the
republicans as they stand, but they come
nearer to the Lodge reservations thar
anything that has thus far been proposed
rom the Democratic side. Senator Lodge
sees in the Bryan movement, supported
nv a goodly number OF Democratic Sem
ators. the first step toward surrender OF
The Democrats to the Republicans view
point.
Here are the chief features of the new
Democratic compromise proposal
Elimination of that part of the pre-
amble requiring acceptance OF the
American reservations by three of the
four other principal allied Powers.
Provision for withdrawal by the
United States from the league by joint
instead of concurrent resolution by
Congress. thus giving the President
power to veto withdrawal
Modification of the Article Y, res
<r~-xxuued nm paus Txxo ror urtv~l