New-York tribune., 1920-01-09

compromise with the Republicans and
get the treaty ratified, so that domestic
issues could be fought out in the cam
paign. He presented his issues, govern
ment ownership of railroads, govern
ment bulletin or newspaper, extension
OF the initiative and referendum, and
others of his favorites. He alluded to
prohibition and woman suffrage as ac-
complished facts, and declared that
"John Barleycorn is dead. the Demo-
cratic party cannot tie itself to 3
corpse!''
This last was dig at the quiet
last few days that the Democrats, by
making quiet play to the liquor in
terests, and holding out hope for
legislation which would permit light
beer and wine instead Of the drastic
Volstead limitation of Il of ! per cent
alcohol, might entice New York, New
Jersey and Massachusetts into the
Democratic column.
President Wilson in his letter, which
was confined exclusively to the treaty,
80 far as political issues are concerned,
said: "There can be no reasonable OBJ
jectionUtO interpretations accompany
ing the act Of ratification itself. But
when the treaty is acted upon / must
know whether it means that we have
ratified it or rejected it. We cannot
rewrite this treaty. We must take it
without changes which alter its mean"
ing"
Hitchcock Is Satisfied
Senator Hitchcock, who has led the
Administration fight in the Senate for
the treaty, professed satisfaction at
the Presidents statements on the
treaty.
"T a1uavo bovo fotap +ho poa;+;op
the President outlines" he said, as he
and Secretary of State Lansing read
over the Presidents letter at the
speakers table. eve are in accord
now. l am ready to go to the country
and fight if we cannot get satisfac-
tory compromise-one within the
meaning of the Presidents letter. We
are not afraid of the issue. Let the
country decide it."
Bryan gave the Democratic diners
jolt when he remarked that the country
had been fighting to make the world
safe for democracy, and it therefore
little behooved the Democratic party
to make an outcry against majority
rule in the Senate.
Bryan was objecting to the Demo-
Gratis holding out against ratification
because the Republicans in favor of
the treaty could not muster a two
votes.
"The Constitution provides that
there must be two thirds vote to
ratify a treaty." commented Senator
Hitchcock, land, further, there was no
majority for the Lodge resolution of
ratification. How about that?"
Vote Plan Applauded.
Attempts to stampede the Democracy
VIXEN the sentences of the Presidents
letter indicating that the treaty should
be the issue of this campaign resulted
in what resembled "favorite son"
demonstration at convention. The
diners apparently did not enthuse over
the Presidents comment that there was
no objection to interpretative reserva-
tions. There was not a sound in the
big dining hall of the Willard, crowded
to overhowing with Democratic enthu-
siasts, although Chairman Cummings
paused briefly at the end of the SEN
tence. There was wild applause a mo-
ment later, however. when the Presi-
dents reference to carrying the treaty
to the people at the election was read.
Chairman Cummings delighted the
Democratic war horses with references
to the Republican rude and unskillful
hands, to the Republican antique or
ganization," to their bankrupt leader
ship" and especially when he ridiculed
the Republican National Committee of
fer of money prize to any young man
or woman writing a winning plat
form.
This platform prize of the Repub-
licans is apparently going to be much
commented on by Democratic orators
this campaign. Every reference to it
by any speaker was a sure hit.
Senator Hitchcock delighted the
Democratic women by declaring he was
becoming rapidly reconciled to woman
suffrage" although he had voted
against it in the Senate. This followed
a statement that the women of the
country would flock to the Democratic
party If ratification Of the peace treaty
should be the issue.
Governor Cornwell proved real SEN
sation by attacking the Adamson So
called 8-hour law, and the exemption
{ of LABOR unions from prosecution under
, the antitrust laws.
The anti-Bryan men, who were
strong at both dinners, cheered vigor-
ously when he said there were enough
issues in sight without digging one
out Of the political graveyards of the
past"