The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-07-01
LEAGUE PLANK
| INDICATES REED
SAY WILSON men
Committee Trainers Crossed
t's and Dotted rs.
Walsh Amendment to "Model"
Accepted 80 to Is.
BIG FIGHT TO CONVENTION
Administration Forces Given
Setback by Reservationists.
Bryan Loses Fight But Prepares
to Renew Dry Battle.
Big FIGHT TO CONVENTION
Administration Forces Given
Setback by Reservationists.
BY L. c. MARTIN.

San Francisco. July 1.-The resolu-
tions committee of the Democratic
national convention today adopted a
League of Nations plank. putting the
party on record as favoring ratifica-
ton of the treaty without reservations
that would impair its essential integ-
rity, with a amendment by Senator
Walsh. Massa chusetts. stating that
the party does not oppose reservations
that would make the pact clearer and
more specific as to American obliga-
tions and sovereignty under the
league.
The Walsh amendment was adopt
ed 50 to Is, after four hours of heat
ed debate The action was a complete
surprise. Leading Democratic poll
ticians here had been led to expect
adoption of the administration league
plank without the slightest change.
altho. Walsh. Bryan and Pomerene of
! Ohio, were leading attacks on the ad-
ministration plank.
Bryan Plan Defeated.
/ Other amendments proposed by w.
J. Bryan and Senator Pomerene of
ohio were rejected. Pomerene's
amendment would have advocated in
effect acceptance of the Lodge reser-
vations il the treaty could not be rati-
fled by any other means.
Bryan presented a plan for con-
stitutiona1 amendment to permit rati-
fication OF treaties in the senate by a
majority vote and pledging the Demo-
Gratis to ratify the Versailles treaty
with whatever. reservations were nee
essary to get a tYo-thirds vote in the
senate.
Forces League Fight.
! The committees action may result
in forcing the league fight to the
floor of the convention, some commit
tee members intimated after the reso-
lutiohs committee. its work incom-
plete. adjourned at early daylight un-
i til 10 a. m
/ Administration leaders. while not
| attempting to conceal their disappoint-
ment and chagrin over the commit
tees action. said they were willing to
adopt the same attitude is expected to
tdeve1op speedily. He was informed of
the committees action by telegraph.
Vindicates seeding Senators.
/ Adherents of the Walsh plan claimed
a decisive victory and a vindication
of those Democratic senators, includ-
ing Senator Reed of Missouri. who
voted for ratification of the treaty
with the Lodge reservations. They said
those Democrats regarded the Lodge
reservations as making the league
covenant clear and specific, and as
doing nothing more.
Walsh first urged adoption of a
complete substitute for the so-called
Virginia OF administration league
plank. The vital portion of his sub
stitute was as follows:
we denounce any movement of any
political party seeking to make the
ratification of the Versailles treaty a
political issue in the coming election.
The drafting and ratification OF inter-
national agreements and treaties
should never be subjected to partisan
or political considerations.
| AThe Democratic n7rfv desires th II
ratification of the peace treaty of Yer
sailIes without nullifying changes, but
it favors the acceptance of any
reservations making clearer and more
specific the obligations of the United
States to its league associates or which
Will make it more easily apparent to
doubtful elements of our people that
the covenant in nowise impairs or de-
stroys the sovereignty of the United
States"
{ The latter portion of this proposed
! plank. in slight different phraseology,
is what the committee adopted as an
; amendment to the league plank.
Claim Wilson Defeat.
supporters of the Walsh proposal
: declared that the acceptance of the
amendment by the subcommittee was
a defeat for the administration forces.
They said Senator Glass and Secretary
Colby. representing President Wilson
ldirectiy, had issued a plank which
was u ali HltentS ana purposes an en-
dorsement of the league covenant ex-
aetly as Wilson brought it back The
plank as adopted. according to their
view, gives Democratic senators a
. right to vote for the Lodge reserva-
, tions on Article X or on any of the
Lodge reservations. if they think them
| necessary to clarity the treaty and to
make plain the United States does not
surrender any of its soyereignty
That is what Democrats who SUM-
ported the Lodge reservations. partic-
ularly the one to Article X, said those
|, reservations did
While Wilson insisted that Article X
must stand exactly written, being
! the heart of the covenant. the Demo-
Gratis who opposed his view held tina
Article X without reservations might
cause the United States to lose its
: sovereign right to declare war when IL
, saw fit
Crossed T's and Dotted rs,
The fact that the resolutions COM
mlttee by SO decisive a vote made a
Continued on Page Two.j