South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-03-06
DEMOCRATS TO
CONFER WITH
PRES'T WILSON
Senators to Ask Chief Ex-
ecutive On Course to
Pursue On Treaty.

WASIINGTON, March with
another failure 10 ratify the peace
treaty Impending. democratic sena-
tors decided Friday 10 seek personal
consultation with Pres't Wilson be
for the decisive vote is taken. They
wished TO know definitely how far
he would go in endorsing a com
promise and also a clear under
standing OF his views on the treaty
as "a campaign issue should another
senate deadlock force i. into poll
tIcs.
some democrats were understood
also TO wish To know what measures
the president would expect con-
sreS5 90 take 20 relieve the country
from a war status while a decision
al the polls on the treaty was
awaited.
The move for such "A conference.
initiated long ago among some ele-
ments OF the party in the senate.
took definite form when Sen. Hitch
cock. Of Nebraska, the administra-
lion leader, sent a letter TO the
white house asking that the Iresi-
dent talk over the senate situation
with Sen. Simmons. Of North Caro-
Ina, in charge OF the democratic
side of a new movement 10 negoti-
ate "a treaty compromise.
To Discuss Problem.
IL was indicated. however, that
the appointment with Sen. Sim
mons If one were arranged, would
"e only preliminary 10 a conference
with committee OF senators chosen
to take up with him the whole
treaty problem. IN some quarters
lr was intimated that senator's from
both political parties eventually
might meet with the president in an
effort TO reach compromise.
In conjunction with Sen. Wat
SON, or Indiana, acting FOR the re-
publican side. Sen. Simmons has
sounded ont the sentiment or all the
senate elements and VIXEN he goes
rl the white house viii be in pos
session OF a clear understanding of
what the republicans would accept.
sen. HitchCok's letter did not reach
the executive offices until late in
The cay and no word regarding the
presidents Intention was forthCom-
ing from the white house tonight
it was indicated. however. that an
apI ointment probably would be
.made either tomorrow or early next
week.
The new negotiations have cen
tered about article 10, the hardest
nut 90 crack in the treaty contro-
ersy, but such progress has been
made that The outcome is regarded
10y many senators as depending now
on the verdict of the president
Democratic senators do not want
TO vote for a ratification which the
president later would reject, nor do
they want 90 turn down any reason
bic offer OF compromise unless they
are certain SO is unsatisfactory 20
Lim.
As the article 10 compromise pro
pcsal now shapes up n the Watson
Simmou negotiations 10 is under
stood 90 contemplate "a reservation
declaring that the United States de-
clincs 70 guarantee rhe territorial in
territy OF other league members d.
means of its army or navy. by
boycott or any other m ethod of com
nerCial force. or by diplomatic
pressure. except when congress
gives specific and Affirmative author
-ty FOR such "a course
Claim lions share.
Tn. new move claimed the lions
hare OF attention during The day
while the senate debate continued.
The only action taken on the floor
was tho rcadoT tiou. without change.
OF another of the republican reser-
vatious providing that the repara-
uOus commission shall not interfere
with trade between United States
and Germany except by the consent
of This government The vote was
Al 10 30. six democrats Joining with
the majority.
= democratic substitute by Sen.
Hitchcock was rejected by the votes