Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-01-19
WOODS POSITION
On Treaty Sought by
Senator BOrah
Letter Sent General, AvoWed Candi-
date for Republican Nomination
for Presidency-Leader Far From
Cheerful Over Result Of ei-Parti-
san Conferences This Week

Washington, Jan. 1S-While Senate
leaders in the peace treaty contro-
versy today prepared for resumption
tomorrow of the bipartisan confer
ence on compromise reservations to
effect ratification, Senator BorRh,
Republican, Idaho. made public a let
ter to Major General Leonard Wood,
candidate for the Republican Presi-
Dental nomination, requesting his
views On treaty questions and Sena-
tor Owen, Democrat Oklahoma, is
sued a statement regarding the COM
promise negotiations.
Senator Borah asked Gen. Wood If
he favored permitting the people tt
vote on the issue involved and in
quired as to the generals position
on the League of Nations and other
treaty problems. The Idaho senator
recently sent similar letter to
Governor Lowden of Illinois. another
Republican Presidential candidate.
and is expected TO write in like vein
TO all Republican aspirants.
Senator Owen in his statement de-
clared that 40 Democratic senators
would support Reasonable reserva-
tions' and predicted that President
Wilson would accept reservations
adopted by two-thirds of the Senate
Mr.. Owen deplored representatives of
the disagreement to Wilson.
Definite outcome Of the bipartisan
conferences is expected this week
Leaders continued today to be far
from optimistic.
Senator Borah in his letter to Gen.
Wood asked two principal questions
as follows:
First, are you in favor Of giving the
people an opportunity of appearing on
this question. by which they can pass
on 1t by bringing it before the commit
tee?
'Dou you think il would be fair to
the people Of this country under the
pretense of making a treaty to adopt q
scheme which would result n the aban-
donment Of our traditional foreign poll
cy without taking their judgment on
the matter?
Secondly, may we ask your views
upon this entire matter aside from your
views as TO the propriety of submitting
it to the people? Would you. as a can
didate and as a President if you were
elected, seek to maintain the foreign
policies of this government heretofore
prevailing or would you be willing TO
abandon them? Would you lend your
influence and your power as President
to maintain and preserve the policy of
no entangling alliances with foreign
powers with American affairs or would
you be willing to have the United
States enter into an alliance or part
nership or league with European and
Asiatic nations"
Senator Owen, reviewing events lead
ing TO the present conferences. declared
some newspapers were circulating re-
ports calculated tn make adjustment %
differences impossible
"They describe the Democratic sena-
tors as rubber Stamps Of Pres dent VIII
son and also Mr.. Bryan" he said. and
at the same time represent Mr.. Wilson
at deadly conflict over reservations or
no reservations.
pres dent Wilson cannot CONSISTENTLY,
Will pDllEdLiOlis iHlo a.
Paris. intimate to the Senate any will
ingness to amend or change the treaty.
The value Of the treaty he must as
suredly desire to preserve.
. M. Bryan, under no obligations 10
the statesmen of Europe. urges ratiti
cation without delay and in doing SO
he is cooperating with Democratic sen
ators. and il is an injustice to him %
charge him with tr---inG to defeat Pres
ident Wilson or to be eXerting influence
to control senators in a revolt against
President Wilson.
Democratic senators are trying to
get the treaty through with the least
possible impairment and they over
whelmingly approve reservations that
will prevent the treaty or the covenant
from being misinterpreted, and they
are using their own judgment without
being unduly Influenced either by Mr..
Bryan or Mr.. Wilson, but sympathize
with the Presidents attitude and are
pleased with MI Bryan's support.
"They believe the President will ap-
prove the resolution OF ratification that
is accepted by two-thirds Of the Senate
because it will mean a great victory for
the democracy Of the world"