Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-03-10
COMPROMISE HOPE
FADES; SENATE FOR
LEAGUE VOTE LIMIT
Reservation on League Modified
by 81 to 20 Vote; Lodge
Assails Wilson.
ROOTS PROPOSAL FAILS
Correspondence New York Times.

r,orre~pondencc New York Times
Washington, March 9.--The Senate
TODAY cleared away the last obstacle to
consideration of the reservation on Article
X of the Peace Treaty. by adopting res
ervation No. Ii, which is designed to
give the United States equality in voting
power in the League of Nations Assembly
Through the hours which were oc-
cupied in debating this reservation and
the numerous amendments and substi-
tutes proposed, those Senator'S VI in
recent days have been trying to work out
an acceptable compromise on Article
Y were exceedingly busy. Realizing that
they must work rapidly if their efforts
were to be OF any use. the compromises
circulated among their colleagues, trying
to obtain pledges of support to reserva-
ton which has been drawn up.
On the Democratic side of the chamber
IL was found that President Wilson's letter
with its uncompromising refusal to yield
to any modification of the obligation
under Article Y had somewhat dampened
the enthusiasm of Democratic Senators
for compromise Though various estimates
were made of the number offDemocrats
who might support the compromise pro-
posal now being discussed, the best IN
formed Democrats said that no one would
tell definitely at this time.
Some Republican Senators asserted
that thirty-two Democrats had agreed
TO support the reservation. Others said
that twentv-seven had agreed. Still others
said that only four or five would vote for
il in the face of the President S letter.
Senators on both sides said that the
letter was interposed at the very rncn.eilt
when agreement was about to be reached
They declared that yesterday morning
both sides were In "A mood TO get together.
The letter stopped everything Tor the
time being. and as Senators began TO
analyze it, they revised their views some
what.
A reservation had virtually been agreed
on. That same reservation will have to be
changed if the Democrats who agreed TO it
Yesterday stand by that agreement, they
said today.
TEXT OF NEW ARTICLE Y DRAFT.
The present form of the proposed
compromise is this:
"The United States assumes no obli-
cations to employ its military or naval
forces, its resources, or any form OF econom-
10 discrimination to preserve the terri
torial integrity or political independence
of any other country, or to interfere IN
controversies between nations whether
members of the league or not. under the
provisions of Article y or to employ
the military or naval forces of the United
States under any article of the treaty for
any purpose, unless III any particular
case the Congress, in the exercise OF fuil
liberty of action, shall by act or JOINT
resolution so provide"
One of the greatest assets of those
seeking to obtain support for the COM
tho understands
ing that it has been approved by Elihu
Root in his conference yesterday with
Senator Lodge and other Republican
leaders, There WAS no direct admission
that MIR. Root had given his approval to
the compromise proposal, but the report
was circulated that he had sanctioned 1t.
Senator Simmons. who rs conducting
the negotiations from the Democratic
side. is understood to be unwilling TO
accent it in Just that form. Senator Hitch
cock said that he did not regard it as
compromise. a..
Heading Democrats declared that cit
would be a good bet" that the President
would not deposit ratification OF treaty
containing such a reservation. The specl-
6cation OF means not to be employed Is
too sweeping, IN their opinion, to leave any
obligation.
LODGE AssAILs WILSON LETTER
The Presidents letter WAS discussed
during today's debate. Senator Lodge,
Republican leader. rose, he said, to ex-
plain that he did not say that there were
delightful passages IN the President s
letter, as he was quoted. Mr.: Lodge was
understood to feel that publication of
hls remark might be misconstrued by his
friends in France, who would not under
stand, perhaps, that he spoke ironically;
II think that what the President SAID
about France WAS most unfortunate,
SAID Mr.. Lodge, referring to the Presidents
statement that France was now In control
of militaristic forces. Il do not think that
ought to be said about France. i think
il was unfounded; that the reverse IS
the case. ] regret that the President took
occasion to say something about Italy
that seemed wholly uncalled for"
Referring to Italy's efforts to get fiune,
Mr.. Lodge continued: