The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-18
WILSON DEMOCRATS DISSATISFIED AT UNDERWOOD STAND
Feel That Leaders Support of Conference Agreements Seemingly Commits
 Democratic Party
By HUGH ". ROBERTS Washington Bureau. The Age-HeEald
 Enn na-fAaov HntIAf,

Washington, December 17.-tSpe- ciat)-There is eunder-cover" dissat- isfaction on the part of so-ealled Woodrow Wilson democratic senators that Senator Oscar w. Underwood of Alabama has so heartily sup ported the Washington conference in it's efforts towards naval dismantle. ment and the peooe of the world.
 It Is felt by some of these dissatis- fled senators that Senator Under woods support of the conference agreements seemingly, commits the democratic party to such support. For Senator Underwood is democratic leader of the Senate.
 At the same time, the democratic party stands for naval reduction and for the peace of the world. No demo- cratic senator. save Senator Reed of Missouri, has as yet announced oppo sition to the four-power agreement. But exPresident Wilson has insisted that his friends await conclusion of the work before expressing approval. Senator Underwood has not hesitated to express approval of the work in the achievement of which he. himself, PAAJ @A A hsbA As
 Senator's Position Clear
 Senator Glass Of Virginia has spoken to Senator Underwood, 1t is reported, regarding the attitude of various other democratic senators and for mer President Wilson. The position of Senator Underwood cannot be mis- taken. He will continue to work to the end that the conference may have successful issue For political req sons, he will not attempt to break down the conference.
 In the very beginning, when soms of the more partisan democrats sug- gested that he decline to serve as 8 member of the conference. or that he study the situation to the end that in a political sense the democratic par ty might prosper and the republican party suffer, Senator Underwood an- nounced unequivoeally that In his l Judgment the conference offered no l opportunity for politics, He went 1 further. He declared that 1t would be ruinous for the democratic party to attempt to nullify, through crit I icism or actual interference, the work of the conference. He declared that the part the party must play was to support the administration in efforts everybody knew to be worthy Following that announcement. the criticism abated. It Is now whispered l that Senator Underwood Is too "en- thusiastlc" In the work. It is inti- mated that It might be well to call caucus and talk plainly" to the leader.
 Secs His Duty Clearly
 If that caucus Is held, 1t is known what Senator Underwood will say to his colleagues For he has already said 1t. When he was appointed by the President member of the con 1 ference, Senator Pat Harrison of Mis- sissippi. in a letter addressed to the 1 Aiabamian at Tate Spring, Tenn, urged him not to accept. He replied that he felt compelled to accept. ant would accept. He added that h, felt 1t the duty of every American when called upon by the President to work for the scrapping of navies and the peace of the world, to re. spond as Americans and not as mem bers of parties. And quite clearly h. expressed willingness to resign tho position of leader if his colleagues thought that his service on the con. ference would embarrass them ia their party politics in the Senate.
 All democratic senators, 1t Is be- lieved, expressed approval of the l Underwood reply. Senator Harrison did Senator Harris of Georgia de- clared that he thought 1t proper that the President invite a democrat tt serve on the conference, and proper that Senator Underwood accept.
 Too Enthusiastic
 l It has developed that Underworld work on the conference has embar- rassed certain democrats. Since ex- President Wilson has advised Sena- | frr. fao &% Axx Z., dents other friends that they Ego slow" in indorsing the four power treaty, Senator Underwood's efforts have appeared too Enthusiastic"
 Senator Underwood supported the Versailles treaty. He saw no horrors concealed in Article x. And it is known that he is absolutely convinced that Article II of the four-power 1 agreement is Article x of the Yer 1 sailles treaty in a dress of another color. He feels therefore, without so expressing himself that the sena tors who supported Article x as the "heart" of the Versailles covenant, have scored a triumph over their old opponents who regarded that article as the devils paternoster.
 Not First Criticism
 The present outcropping of criti- cism is not the first that has been in dulged. Senator Underwood's politi- cal policies have not always accorded with those of some of his colleagues. He does not believe that the demo- cratic party can be returned to power as result of it's making of party is- sue of every republican suggestion. He has supported the administration in non-party matters, and differed with it on Fundamentals. He thinks that the. way effectively to play the game.
 Some of his colleagues have diff fered win him. If Underwood is convinced that his work on the con- ference Is embarrassing to his asso- ciates, and retires from the leader ship. who will succeed him? Glass of Virgipia would be the choice of Lex President Wilson and ". G. Me- Adoo. Harrison of Mississippi would | be favored by those who like a polit- ioal m of