The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-02-02
Former British Ambassador to
America Says Treaty Res
ervati0ns are ALI
Right.
FROM THIS VIEW POINT
Presidents Attitude Could Now b.
Changed If He Desires and Rati-
ua,. ficaton Would be
49,. fastened.

UNITED Press Leased Wire Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2.-The let
ter Of Viscount Grey, former British
ambassador here, TO the London
Times in which he said American
reservations to the peace treaty were
justified from an American point OF
view, was believed here would hasten
ratification.
Senators who favor reservations,
held that Grey's letter took the
ground out from under those mem
berS who We're against any reservat
tions whatever and who have said
that the allies would not accept them.
1t was pointed out that Britain. the
principal associate of the United
States in the war, expressed through
Grey willingness to accept many
Iof the reservations which have been
proposed His attitude, and the fact
that he even went so far as to argue
in favor Of certain American reserva-
tions is expected to strengthen the
stand of senators who favor quick
ratification on compromise basis
even if practically all Of the Lodge
reservations have to be accepted.
Senators today were watching
closely for some sign of what the
white house thinks about the British
attitude President Wilson's stand
all along has been that he could not
accept changes in the treaty or the
league Of nations covenant, because
he had signed the original docu-
ments, thus promising the allies that
they would be accpeted by the
United States.
Grows lattar IT waa hplinva6 eriyaq
the president an excellent oppor-
tunity to change this position, if he
SO desires. In fact, some senators
thought Grey had almost invited him
to do so.
The former ambassadors letter
represents the Off cial policy of Great
Britain toward American ratification,
it is understood here.
While in Washington he consulted
with many senator's and sized up"
the situation at first hand, went
home and reported to his govern
ment and shortly thereafter wrote
his letter TO the London Times.
Senator Lodge Gives Notice.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2.-Senator
Lodge today gave formal notice in
will ask unanimous consent that sem
ate rules be suspended and the peace
treaty reservations be taken up.
II unanimous consent is refused,
Lodge announced, he will move to
suspend the rules
Democrats said Grey's reference TO
"repudiating signatures" tells the
whole story of President Wilson's in
oh 70 with
ate, and justifies their stand against
the Lodge reservations.
Grey's letter was the general topic
among senators today. Some of them
expect It's influence on public opinion
to help speed ratification by causing
flood Of letters to senators, urging
plain that the reservations won't
cause any hitch abroad.
1t was emph hasized, however, by
some democrats that Grey spoke as
private individual and that wAllc
he doubtless made to his government
the same sort of recomn:.--> y. ttons as
contained in his letter, thCre is moth
ing official to indicate that the gov
ernment agrees with Grey. Until
there Is some such intimation, demo-
Gratis must stick to the letter of the
contract made by their leader, Presi-
dent Wilson, they said
Senator Lodge and other republi-
cans have said they have known for
months that the Lodge reservations
would not cause any hitch abroad.
That Influenced Lodge to compromise
on the preamble TO his reservations
by allowing elimination of the pro-
vision for affirmative acceptance of
the reservations, it was stated.
In general, Grey's letter is counted
ON to have considerable effect on
British public opinion, by way or
smoothing the ruffled feelings of the