Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1920-01-13
PRESIDENT WILSON
AND BRYAN DIFFER
ON RESERVATIONS
Nebraskan'S Attitude May
Speed Pact Compromise
Lodge Says President Has
Closed Door to Agreement

4 WASHINGTON, ID. C.-PreSluenI
Wilson's decision that the League of
Nations issue should be placed be-
fore the voters as a solemn referen-
Aurn," and William J. Bryan's con-
Iention that the Democratic party
cannot go before the country on the
question, but should accept such
compromises "as may be possible"
are the twin surprises of the con-
clave of party chieftains which found
its climax in the annual Jackson day
dinner Thursday night.
The presidents message to the par
ty, written from the sick room in
the White House and read to the
diners, made no mention of a third
term for himself and no announce
nent of an impending retirement to
private life, as many had predicted
Il would.
Mr.. Bryan's speech, taking definite
issue with the Presidents decision
on the great question, was accom-
panied by a statement that he was
not speaking as a candidate for the
presidential nomination. Many of the
diners freely said that portion was a
distinct surprise to them.
Nov the rank and file of the
Democratic party as well as the lead
ers throughout the country are
studying the opposite announcements
of the two national leaders and are
attempting to assess their effect on
the party'S fortunes at the nom1nat-
ing convention which will be held
In San Francisco, June %, and at the
polls next November.
COMPROMISE Not Impossible
Many political observers feel it is
yet too early to accurately estimate
the position in which the cleavage
between the president and the fore
most Democrat in private life leaves
the party. They feel the situation
must settle down a little, that stock
must be taken and that the opinions
of the rank and file must be sounded.
Whether the position of the two
men, now definitely announced,
means a fight in the national con-
vention reminiscent of the spectac-
rlar battle IN Baltimore in 1912, when
Mr. Bryan forced the presidents
nomination and reversed the tradt-
tional practice of the party conVen-
lions in giving a nomination to
candidate who commanded major
. Ity vote, none of the party leaders
Is willing to predict for publication.
Sentiment among the Democratic
leaders at the Jackson day dinner as
expressed in their speeches seemed
to be divided between support of the
epresideIlt's decision and Mr.. Bryan's
~ nj hn W
are in the list !of nominating pos
sibflities did not touch on the sub
feet at all.
Mr.. Bryan, in his fight for a quick
compromise, apparently stands alone.
With the possible exception of form
er Ambassador Gerard, the other
speakers at both banquets welcomed
the idea Of making the treaty the
big 1920 issue.
Mr.. Bryan spoke first at the Wash
ington hotel banquet, early in the
evening, making his set speech. He
arrived at the Willard banquet hall
after midnight, and listened to sew
eral addresses. Then, abandoning
his prepared speech, he took the floor
and startled the sleepy crowd,
wearied by five hours of oratory, in
to great excitement by his out and
out opposition to Wilson's message,
which had been praised, applauded
and commended ! evening. After
a few preliminary formalities Mr..
Bryan suddenly shouted: IF 1 just
wanted to please you I would stop
here and let this end as a love feas'.
But I've passed the age of soliciting
your favor.
He declared the treaty Mr.. Wilson
brought back from Paris was bet
ter than anybody had a right to ex-
pect," lauded the president highly
told of his own efforts for unquali-
fled ratification, and then said:
'I believe that having stood oy
the president and having failed, we
should take the best we can get"
This blunt declaration startled the
crowd
In one end of the hall confusion
of shouting arose, men yelling:
"Stand by the president" and "Bry-
an, stand ny Wilson" Mr.. Bryan
nodded grimly, trust out his jaw
and waited for order to be restored
then continued:
Where would the party be in a
campaign demanding that a minori-
ty of the senate shall say what shall
be done with this treaty. We can't
go before the country on the propo-
sition that a minority Of the senate
has right to dictate on what terms
a treaty shall be ratified The
Democrats, he said, could not justify
postponing peace IA months longer,
until new congress could take Of
flee, and could not justify gambling
on electing a two-thirds majority in
the senate, pledged to unqualified
ratification.
Who's going to gamble with
stakes so CREATE" he demanded.
He also took issue with Senator
Pomerene, a previous speaker who
= advised against committing the par
ty to a pledge of government own
srsnip of railroads. Mr.. Bryon
charged the railroads ere about to
consolidate into the greatest mo-
nopoly in history.
At 2:30 a. m, Mr.. Bryan finished,
while some yelled: go on, tell us
some more" Afterward part of the
crowd swarmed around him, shaking
his hand, while scores fIocked out,
some being loud in thier denuncia-
ton of the Nebraskan.