New-York tribune., 1921-12-14
Minority Decides to Take
Counsel With Wilson i'm
Effort to Make Political
Capital Out of Compact
Conference Agrees
On Waiting Policy
Some Republicans Also
Expected to Hold Back
for Decision on China

From The Tribunc's WASHINGTON Bureau
WASHINGTON, Dec. 13.-Possibilitv
that large number of the Demo
cratic Senators will attempt to play
politics with the four-power treaty
and other agreements arising from the
armament limitation conference or
having relation to it loomed to-day.
1t also developed that former Pres-
dent Wilson may become an impor-
tant factor. If such course is taken
by the Democrats, or large group of
them. the controversy before ratifca-
tion will be long and bitter, although
1T IS not believed the treaty or other
agreements will be defeated.
An informal conference of dozen
or more Democratic Senators was held
this afternoon in the minority cloak
room and soon afterward reports went
the rounds that Mr.. Wilson would be
sounded on his attitude on the agree
ments. 1t was recalled that he was
consulted when the German peace
treaty was sent to the Senate. The
views of Mr.. Wilson have weight with
most of his old followers in the Senate
and he is in position to exercise no
little influence either for ratification
or against, as he may see fit.
Among those in the conference were
Senators Harrison, of Mississippi;
Swanson, of Virginia, and Glass of
Virginia. Swanson and Glass are the
Senators who got in touch with Mr..
wilson on the matter of the German
peace treaty. According to Demo
cratic member, it has been understood
in inside circles of the Senate for two
days that Mr.. Wilson would be CON
suited or his views obtained.
Decide on Waiting Game
The decision of the Democratic
Senators at the informal conference
was to adopt d non-committal policy
for the present and keep silent as far
as possible. In other words, the dis
position of the conference was that it
would be wise to await DEVELOPMENTS
and not become tied up by commit
ments to vote for ratification. Those
who met to-day were all supporters
of the League of Nations. 1t was sug
gested they might take the attitude
that the four-power agreement ran
counter to the league and was cal.
cuid'eu 10 weaken lt, and that there
forc believers in the league should
not support it.
The disclosure that some of the
Democrats might conclude to line up
against the four-power Arrangement
and word Of the prospective consulta-
tion of Mr.. Wilson were the most in
teresting developments of the dav in
the Senate. At the same time there
were indications that d few Republican
Senators might hold back and await
the arrangement as to China before
/ deciding how to vote on the four
power arrangement.
The preva ling view about the Sen
ate day continued to be that the
four-power treaty and the United
StatesJapan treaty would be ratified
despite all opposition. However, the
opposition predicted with a show of
confidence, that there would be pro-
longed discussion and said they pro-
posed to lay the case of the treaties
before the country.
Considerable stress is being laid on
the prospective Chinese arrangement
Senator Norris, Republican, Of Ne
braska, is one of those watching the
Chinese situation closely. Senator Ere
linghuysen, Republican, of New Jersey
said he wanted to see what went with
! the four-poWer agreement before com
mitting himself. " is the understand
! ing that Mr.. Frelinghuysen wants to
determine whether the grip of the
United States on the Pacific is weak
cned or not by the series of agree
ments before he decides how to vote
On the other hand, his colleague. Sena-
tor Edge, has come out for the treaty
saying he is unable to agree that it
contemplates Objectionable obligations
such as alleged in some quarters
Senator Penrosc, chairman of the
Finance Committee, has declared for
the agreement.
Reed Opposes Yap Settlement
Just as it is generally assumed the
four-pow treaty will be ratified, SO
! it is expected the treaty on Yap and
fCanilnued nsxf