Evening star., 1921-09-27
Will Vote as individuals on
Treaties With Germany,
Austria and Hungary.
TALK OF AMENDMENTS;
WILSON RUMOR DENIED
Growing Opposition Expected to
Prolong Debates, But Not Block
Final Adoption.

|
| today decided that the pe ce treaties
| with Germany, Austria and Hungary
| were not matters for party action. In
| dividuai democrats. it was said. would
be left to follow their own judgment
| in voting on ratification.
At the same time it was made plain
| that democratic opposition to ratiflca-
tion is growing. The conference ad-
| journed after an hour and half of
| discussion without any action having
been taken, and it was decided to meet
again Thursday morning.
Wilson Rumor Denied.
While 1t is reported that some of
the democratic senators have talked
with former President Wilson. and
that Mr.. Wilson gave his reason for
being opposed to the Harding treaty,
it was said following the conference
that Mr.. Wilson's views were not
brought into the discussion today.
Moreover. active democratic senators,
high in the party councils. denied a
rumor that Mr.. Wilson was organiz-
| ing the opposition to the ratification
| of the Harding treaty.
Many Of the democrats continued to
decline to state how they will vote
on the ratification. However, addi-
I
ing the opposition. Senator Williams
of Mississippi announced on the floor
yesterday that he would vote against
| ratification. Senator Pat Harrison, mis-
colleague. said today that he would
vote against ratification, too.
Long Debate Expected.
With the opposition growing. it is
likely that the debate on the peace
treaty with Germany will last con-
siderably longer than was originally
expected, 1t is not likely that the op-
position will be able to prevent rati-
f1cation. for many of the democrats,
probably a larger number than the
opposition. will vote for ratification,
it Is believed. even though they do
not like the treaty
Many of the democratic senator's
said today that they had not had
time to study the treaty as negotiated
declared that they desired further in
formation before they were ready to
say whether they would vote for rati-
dcati or against 1t. There was
considerable criticism by senator's
ground that it was drawn in a Slip
! shod manner"
Talk OF Reservations.
The democrats. it was said, may get
together on some amendments or res
eryations to the pending treaty with
Germany, even though they do not
adopt, party policy with regard to
ratification. Democratic members of
the foreign relations committee are
already working on proposed amend
ments to the treaty.
Senator Reed of Missouri was one
of the outspoken critics of the treaty
; at the conference today He attacked
many features of the pact.
Senator. Underwood. democratic lead
er. and Senator Hitchcock, it is gen.
orally understood, will vote for rati-
fcation of the treaty even though
they do not like many of the de-
tails. on the ground that it is advis-
able to bring about an end of the
technical state of war as soon as pos
sible.
Borah Attacks Treaty.
The debate on the treaty with Ger
many proceeded yesterday afternoon
with Senator Borah of Idaho speak
ing in opposition to the pact Senator
Williams of Mississippi. democratic
member of the foreign relations COM
mittee, announced he would vote
against the treaty-not for the rea-
sons advanced by Senator Borah to
the effect that the treaty would re-
suit in Americas becoming entangled
Senator Williams believed that the
new treaty was an abandonment of
the allies by this country.
Senator Lodge of Massachusetts. re-
publican leader. urged prompt ratif1-
cation.
Senator Brandegee of Connecticut, and
Senator Lenroot, republican. Wiscon-
sin, intervened in favor of ratifica
tion.
Asserting that the new treaty would
entangle this nation in European af-
fairs, Senator Borah emphasized pre-
dictions that America would be re-
quired to participate in the allied
reparations commission and become
involved in European concerns. Sena-
tor Brandegee declared against such
participation.
nounced as "a militaristic govern
ment" by Senator Borah. who declared
Europe could never recover until the
Versailles treaty had been changed.
"You could have gotten out of the
league, but you can't get out or TINS
for forty years., Senator Boran saio'
referring to the term of German in
demnity payments. He predicted that
eventually the German people would
rebel against the Versailles treaty
terms.
Discusses Arps Conference.
The new treaty would ramify into
all the things that we were supposed
to escape from when We escaped the
league" said Mr.. Borah. Pm not
willing to purchase peace with Ger
many by the surrender of those things
which will not give the people OF the
United States peace" Turning to the
disarmament conference, Senator Borah
said France could not be expected to
disarm by land until the Versailles
treaty had been executed.
Disarmament by land is impossible
so long as the Versailles treaty con-
tinues to stand as challenge to the
lessening of the military burdens Of
the people of Europe" he added.
Senator Borah declared that from
his information as q foreign relations
committee member ne was satisfied
the administration policy is to go into
the reparation commission"
Refers to Versailles Treaty.
This treaty is the Versailles treaty.
in the Presidents mind. with reserva-
tions,' Senator Borah continued. "He
was always for going In with rcser-e
vations. The President now thinks
that the only practical way to deal
with the situation is to become
member of the reparations commits
sion.''
Describing Secretary Hughes as
"abie, adroit and far seeing" Senator
Borah said the Secretary OF State had
pursued a course which would take
us into the league of nations with
article ten left out"