New-York tribune., 1920-05-29
Threat of Revolt at Con-
vention Causes Modif-
cation of Attitude ON
Plank for the League
President FroWns
On Bonus Plan
issues Adopted by Xir-
ginia Democrats Set
as Models for Party

From The Tribune's Wushinoton Burecu
WASHINGTON, May 2s.-Threatenec
with revolt at San Francisco against
his demand for unqualified support OF
his league of nations covenant, Presi
dent Wilson to-day adopted a new tack
in his efforts to dictate the language
of the peace treaty plank in the
Democratic platform.
In letter to Senator Carter Glass
Of Virginia, made public by the White
House this afternoon, the President
declared in favor of the plank adopted
by the Virginia Democrats in stat.
convention more than week ago, ad
vocating prompt ratification of the
treaty "without reservations which
would impair its essential integrity,
indicating that he would like to see
the national platform at San Fran
cisco.
The text of the letter follows:
THE White House, Nav 28, 1920.
"My dear Senator Glass:
"Thank you for sending me the
copy OF the platform recently adopt
ed by the Democrats of Virginia.
Aside from the purely personal ref
erences, which of course l deeply
appreciate, let me say to you, my
dear Senator, that the sentiments
expressed in this notable document
are in full accord with my own
views, especially the statements
which set forth the attitude of the
party on the league Of nations and
the pressing problems of peace,
finance and reconstruction. These
are the clear-cut, uneQuivocal prin
c.ples of patriotic men who know
how to serve their country and man
kind
Surely this platform recites a
record Of achievement in which all
Americans have just cause for
pride and congratulation.
Cordially and sincerely yours,
"WOODROW WILSON,"
One of the planks in the Virgini,
platform, referred to by the President
advocates prompt ratification of tn
treaty without reservations which woul'
impair its essential integrity"
President Makes Shift
Thus the President shifts from unde
the impression heretofore held as t,
his posltion-nah hely, that he would in
sist on the party going on record fo
ratification without reservations O
change Of any kind
On the eve of the Oregon primaries g
which were held last week, the Presi
dent, in letter to a Democratic count,
chairman in that state, practically de
manded such unqualified support. TIL
impression at the time was that MI
Wilson desired not only to indicate b,
that means his disapproval of the at
titude of Senator Chamberlain, O
Oregon, Democrat, in voting for tn
influence Republicans Of the stat
against Senator Johnson. Instead, tn
Oregon Democrats backed up Cham
beraln on primary day and the Re
publlcans gave Johnson the preferenc
vote for the nomination.
10 what extent this reverse, comm
from state heretofore relied on b
the Presidents friends as stancI
supporter of the league and on tn
heels of the action of the Democrats O
New York in refusing to indorse hi
position, influenced him to bring GU
the Virginia plank as model is no
known.
Democratic leaders in Washingto
are impressed with the idea that, wit
the Virginia plank as a basis, a plan
can be written at San Francisco which
while satisfying the President, will no
at the same time read out of the part
the twentythree Dem ocratic member
of the Senate who refused to follow hir
In his uncompromising demand for un
reserved ratification
Republicans are inclined to doub
that such mutually protective plan
can be worked out and successfully j
Continued on page fYel