Great Falls daily tribune., 1920-03-09
Democrats Feel Free to
Act Because President
Made No Threat to
Pocket Compromise
-Four Reservations at
Once Adopted, Clear
ing Way for Article TO-
and Voting Power.

Washington, March S--Limiting de-
bate by unanimous consent, the senate
moved swiftly today to reduce it's fight
over the peace treaty to basic issues.
-Four more of the Republican reserva-
tons were re adopted, two Of them
without change, while negotiations for a
compromise on the keystone problem
of Article 10, were passed toward con-
clusion, apparently unaffected by the
renewed declaration of President Will
son against any material weakening of
the treaty's provisions.
Democrats Feel Freer.
Ire presidents letter coming at a
time when the Article 10 negotiations
TO have brought the two sides ''very
near together was given widely differ
ing interpretations. But the Democrats
working for compromise continued
their efforts, telling their colleagues
they felt free to act since the executive
had not seen fit to say he would pocket
the treaty if it came back to him with
compromise reservations.
In the days work on the senate floor,
the last Of the IA Republican reserva-
tions. except those relating to Article
10 and the league voting power were
swept out of the way and debate on
the voting power provision was begun.
The four adopted related to armaments,
the economic boycott, alien property,
and the labor section. the latter being
brought to a roll call without a wore
Of debate.
Only Few Words in Way.
Until the voting power reservation
was reached tie senate worked under
unanimous consent agreement, pro-
posed by Senator Lodge, Massachusetts,
the Republican leader. limiting speeches
to 20 minutes. Few senators spoke
however, and none used his allotted
time. Efforts to apply a limitation on
discussion of the two remaining reser
vations were blocked by objections that
both probably would meet with pro-
longed opposition.
While the Article 10 negotiations
reached a point. it was said, where the
addition or omission Of only few words
leaders emphasized that the last pull
might prove the hardest. and minimized
hope that enough senators to ensure
would be brought into ac-
cord. 1t also was pointed out that
neither Senator Lodge nor Senator
Hitchcock. of Nebraska, the Democratic |
eader, had openly given assent to the
,egotiations. and that even if q bipartis- |
IN agreement were reached it might not |
command q tWo-thirds vote
Didn't Advise Vote Against.
The letter from President Wilson did .
lot reach senators until late in the
Comment on it. Senator Hitchcock de-
'cribed it as illuminating" Senator
lodge declined to discuss it. and Senator
Sorah, Republican, Idaho, leader of the
opponents of ratification.
aid the president had helped insure the
reaty's defeat by throwing cold water
N compromise.
ee, however. that the president did not
dyise them to vote against ratification
s he did last November. nor promise to
nut the treaty in a White house pigeon
ole If it were ratified with more than
Interpretive reservations. In that re-
pect they contrasted it with his letter
0 the November Democratic caucus.
hen he suggested that the treaty with
be Republican reservations be voted
own.
Hope He May Yield Under Protest.
ratio side that Mr.. Wilson did not cen
er his objection on any specific form Of |
and from this hope was re
wed in some quarters that he would
Ike. under protest. such compromise
5 now is under consideration.
A modified reservation affirming ma
onal control over ornaments was
lopted 40 to 26. Nine Democrats voted
II it.
After a slight verbal amendment pro-
,sed by Senator Lodge had been ac-
pted the senate adopted A to 2S the
servation providing that the United
,ates reserve the right to permit in
, discretion the nationals of cove
nt-breaking state, residing in this
untry. or in countries other than that
the covenant breaking state, to con-
,ue financial and political relations
th American citizens.
Five Democrats voted with the Re-
blicans in supporting the reservation II
The reservation declaring that the
,aty had Tot been construed as yalidat>
, and illegal acts in dealing with enemy
Dperty in this country was re-adopted I
thout change by vote of 45 to 27,
ven Democrats supporting it and one
publican voting against it.
The senate then re-adopted the labor
ervation, which refuses assent to theIj
or sections of the treaty. The ,yoteIl
8 a. to q with six Democrats stand
solid with the Republican member
n for ndoption f1l