The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-06-10
"League or No League" Battle
Lasted All Night.
Bolt by BOrah Forces Was Only
Narrowly Averted.
LODGE ANXIOUS FOR HARMONY
With Senator Smoot Acts as
Peace Maker.
Another Fight Due Over Pro-
posed Labor Plank.

Chicago, June 10.-A League of Ma
tions plank drafted by Elihu Root was
accepted as a basis of compromise to-
day by irreconcilables on the resolu-
ton subcommittee.
The plank upholds the position of
the senate and does not declare in
specific terms for ratification of the
treaty. 1t also is agreeable to Ogden
Mills of New York. a representative
of the mild reservation group on the
subcommittee, and the members gem
orally declared the prospects of COM
plete agreement were bright.
1t was said there still was some
possibility of hitch and that the dan
ger of breaking open the treaty ques-
tion on the floor of the convention had
not entirely passed.
Was AH-Night Battle
All night efforts to avert a final
clash proved futile. While the con-
vention waited for the platform to be
reported. the resolutions committee
met at an early hour today to receive
from the subcommittee a partial re-
port which covered everything except
the treaty and Mexican planks. AT
the same time in the subcommittee
the first formal consideration of these
questions was to begin
The negotiations which went on
until nearly daybreak between those
demanding a plank for ratification of
the treaty and the league covenant
with reservations, and those who
threaten to bolt If ratificati ton is men,
toned, seemed to have served only to
| Increase the rancor.
The anti-leaguers of the Borah-
johnson group declared with the ut
most assurance that the sub-commit-
| tee would sustain them by reportine
a plank containing these provisions
Condemnation in strong terms OF
the treaty and covenant in the form
submitted by President Wilson.
Commendation of Republican SEN
ators for refusing to ratify in that
form.
Approval of the principle of an in
ternational court to settle interna-
tional disputes.
A pledge that the party will up
hold and maintain the policies on for
eign relations enunciated by Wash
| ington and Monroe.
Tho they expect to be upheld BY
feel equally certain that the full com
mittee will go against them, thus
sending the whole question to the con
vention floor.
Peace Efforts Were Futile.
By common consent, the treaty
question in the subcommittee was lef
/ last. Senator Smoot, acting as peace
maker, tried to bring opponents to
gether. Smoot's efforts were futile
| He finally carried the matter, to Sena
| tor Lodge. Senators Smoot, Borah
Mccormick and Watson conferred
with Lodge. Lodge urged the neces
sity for avoiding a split in the con
| T.
| Cormick he stood with them. In this
Lodge opposed Murray Crane o
! Massachusetts, who with the assis
| tance of Senator Lenroot, Wisconsin
is leading the fight for the affirma
| tive declaration for ratification will
| safeguarding reservations.
The bitter enders were elated a
Lodges support.
| Once it appeared Borah and Nc
| Cormick were going to bolt the sub
committee meeting. They left tn
room, flushed and disheveled. Smoo
instantly followed. equally agitated
His coat was off, his face damp will
perspiration, his hair badly rumpled
He led Borah and Mccormick down
corridor and read them a proposed
, compromise draft.
| This condemned the treaty in ex
isting form. and approved the actiol
of Republican senators in refusing t
ratify it without safeguarding reserva
| tons
Upon hearing that provision. Nc
Cormick blew up"
mo. sir he fairly shouted, stridinl
away from Smoot, his face flushed
with anger.
Mccormick stumped back into tn
meeting room, crying mo. sir. never,
at every other step and waving hi
, arms excitedly.
smoot Appeals to Borah.
II don't approve their action in re
fusing to ratify simply because the.
didn't get reservations" said Borah
1t was simply a trap set to catch TIL
bitter enders. Borah told Smoot h
would not stay longer in the meeting
but Smoot implored him not to bolt
Then the conference with Lodge wa
decided on.
Charges of bad faith and broker
agreements were hurled at the reser
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