Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1920-06-10

! discussion of the league of na- i tons issue, which it was said
 Tailed to bring the opposing sides
 approachably closer together, the
 resolutions subcommittee dccid-
 cd shortly before midnight to
 abandon efforts at an agreement
 tonight.
 Chicago, June g.. Republican diff ferences over the league of nations culminated today in an open threat from irreconcilable senators to leave the party unless 1t declared fIatIy against the league of nations.
 The ultimatum was delivered in dra- matte fashion at a conference of lead CTS. It put the league issue suddenly to the fore of all other questions be- fore the national convention. Not ex- cepting even the nomination of pres- idential candidate.
 Senator Borah, Idaho, Brandeges, Conecticutt, and Mccormick, Illinois, represented the irreconci1ables and former Senator w. Murray Crane of Massachusetts, in past conventions national leader spoke for the group demanding a plank for league with serervations. Senator Watson, Indi- ana, chairman of the conventions res- olutions committee, present to repre- sent the party organization, took the role of peacemaker.
 Tonight leaders were only half hear- tedly attempting to conceal their ap- prehensions over the situation Most of them grimly predicted an agree ment, but none appeared too sure of his ground. In q session which prom ised to last through the night reso- lutions subcommittee, headed by Sem ator Watson, sought to find middle course which would hold the party to- gether.
 Senator Crane, coming unexpectedly into the swim of convention affairs several days of quiet conferences, pre- faced the irreconcilable utimatum by laying on the council table a proposal | that the party declare affirmatively i for ratification of league of nations covenant with safeguarding reserva- tions. Backed he said, by the grfoup of mild reservation senators, he said i that unless a plank were adopted, all the dynamite of the league of nations question would be loose on the con- vention floor.
 Fear Break.
 The reply of the irreconcilables came at once, phased in terms which no one misunderstood. With consid- conference that he and his colleagues never could support any plank declar~ ing affirmatively for any ratification of the treaty, reservations or no res- ervations. Should the party adopt such plank, they declared. they would immediately and finally part company with it.
 Tn desperate effort to bring har- mony. Senator Watson pleaded that the rising animosities of the confer ees be forgotten and that both sides approach the subject with a determi- nation to avoid repetition of the dis astrous break of 1912 But neither side receded and the meeting ended l in an atmosphere of solemn defiance.
 So it stood tonight as the resultions subcommittee of 13 sought to sweat out a solution. Tn the committee room besides Senator Watson were Senators Borah and Mccormick for the irre- consilables, Senator Smoot of Utah and nine men of varying shades of opinion.
 Outside the committee room, to, there were series of feverish con- ferences as each side soueht to assess how much of the attitude of it's ad- versary was bluff and how much was genuine.
 The irreconcilable group solemnly assured their party leaders there was not single element of bluff in their program. and one of them is under stood to have declared that should the party stand for any sort of ratifica- ton. he would resign from the senate in order to be free to carry on the fight.
 No Hone for Action. What connection Senator Johnson might have with the vote was not re- vealed. Throuehout the senat fight he stood shoulder to shoulder with Senator Borah. but talk of possible Johnson bolt has been discounted hv the men who are closest here to the California senator.
 Althourh the resolutions sub-com- mitee had been in session all day. it scarcely touched, until tonight, on tho s league of nations or any other subject of serious controversy. Although com pletelv overshadowed by the treaty situation, the plank on industrial reS