The New York herald., 1921-09-28
REPUBLICANS LINE UP.
FOR A WINN|NGFIGHT
ON PEACE TREATIES
Efforts of Democrats Who
Resent Leaders Dicta-
tion Spur Their
Opponents.
TO HOLD CAUCUS AGAIN
Opposition So Far Is Not
Enough to Prevent
Favorable Vote in
Senate.
yG CONTEST PROBABLE
Reservations Urging Closer
Ties With Europe, Along
Ex-President's Lines, Are
- Sought by Democrats.
Special Despatch to THE New York HnALp.
New York Herald Bureau.

New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. g., Sept. "a.
Prospects for speedy ratification of
the German, Austrian and Hungarian
peace treaties became DINNER to-day.
Democratic opposition reached such
proportions that Republican leaders
laid aside the compacts temporarily
to prepare drive to force action.
Aroused from the apathy that has
characterized their attitude toward the
treaties Democratic Senators held a
lively caucus to-day, but reached no
agreement on programme of action.
Notwithstanding denials in some
quarters reports bearing unmistakable
marks of authenticity continued to
circulate to the effect that former
President Wilson had taken q hand in
the treaty contest.
Senator Glass (va.) and Senator
Harrison (Miss.). conspicuous in the
fight against the treaty. declared they
had not been in communication with
Mr. Wilson on. this subject. Other
ocHdloiS, HoWeVcI, Sdiu tiSy iinu III
formation that Mr.. Wilson'S strong
opposition to the pending treaties had
been conveyed to his old followers in
the Senate and that this was largely
responsible for the rapid development
Of the, Democratic attitude against the
treaties during the, last few days.
These reports were denied. however,
with great fervor. ,.-S s@sss..
23 FIany for Rejection.
About twenty Democratic senators. it
was stated. favored fiat rejection OF the
treaties at to-day's caucus. This num-
ber, with three Republicans said to be
opposed to the treaties, would not be
sufficient to block ratification. Nearly
all OF them, however, indicated willing
ness to support reservations that are
being framed for the purpose of carrying
out tho Wilson doctrine of closed par
ticipation In European affairs.
Another caucus will be held Thurs
day, when the reservations will be more
thoroughly discussed, No attempt Will
be made to bind Senators to united party
viii be made to present as nearly a solid
front as possible to keep the Democratic
record straight. Since it requires ma
jority vote for adoption of reservations
and only little over third OF the
Senate is Democratic 1t seems unlikely
that sufficient votes will be gained to
carry out any part of the programme.
One of the reservations contemplated
would undertake TO name more specif-
cally the rights and privileges that the
United. States Is to obtain under the
pending treaty. Another would provide
that the United States stands ready to
perform her part OF the obligations
necessary to enforcement of those parts
Of the Versailles compact under which
American claims are made.
Still another reservation, said to be
IN course of preparation. will provide
that nothing contained in the pending
treaties shall close the door to future
American participation In the League OF
Nations IL the United States by joint
resolution of Congress SO desires.
stand Taken by Democrats.
Democratic Senators contend that in
nutting forward such reservations they
not only maintain their position In the
past but they may compel mild reser-
yationist" Republicans to toe the mark
or; some embarrassing roll calls.
The Democratic caucus was animated
Nv spirit of rebellion against the at
,ltude of Democratic leaders such as
Underwood and Hitchcock favoring the
treaty. More ardent partisans like Glass
(va.) King (Utah), Harrison (Miss.)
and Mcclellan (Tenn.) took the view
that Democratic support of pending
treaties would be interpreted by the
country as complete repudiation of
their former position. They were un-
willing. they said. to give their consent
to a treaty that specifically rejected the
League OF Nations and that contained
both the spirit and the text OF the Knox
resolution.
Republican leaders had offered 10 al
low the remainder of the week to de-
bate OF the treaties. sidetracking the tax
bill provided an agreement could be
reached to vote on ratification not later
than Saturday night Following the
caucus Senator Underwood reported that
the opposition was OF such a character
that he could enter into no agreement
for fixing a time to vote.