New-York tribune., 1921-09-27
Opposition of Democrats
Is Given New Impetus
bv Former Presidents
Plea to Defeat Pacts
Minority Council
Called for To-day
Republicans Confident of
Approval in Senate
Without Serious DELAY
From the Tribune's Washington Rureo.

opposition to the German peace treaty
! in the Senate, it developed tonight that
iermer President Wilson is opposed to
! she agreement. Mr.. Wilson is declared
to be using his influence with Demo
cratic Senator'S against the treaty with
. Germany and the treaties with Austria
. and Hungary.
The fact that Senator John Sharp
Williams, of Mississippi, a prominent
! supporter of the Wilson policies in the
! last Administration, came out TODAY
sgainst the treaty, after he had voted
| !cr it in the Foreign Relations Com
! mittee, caused surprise.
Inquiries in this connection disclosed
that the former President has been in
conference with some of the membe RS
on the Democratic side. Details of such
conferences are not given out, but it is
understood Mr.. Wilson took the 1nltia-
tive in seeking them and in expressing
his objections to the German and other
peace pacts.
Mr. Wilson's opposition to the
treaties, and especially the German
treaty, is based on his belief that to
rstify them means the desertion of the
Allies. He holds that under the Ger
man treaty this nation would not have
any legal obligation to back UP the
Allies, whereas he holds we are morally
to,,rA tn no fhA,,,
IL position of the former President.
IS talked about the Senate late to-day,
similar to that of Senator Borah.
has insisted repeatedly this coun-
r. would be morally bound under the
asies to mix in the affairs of Eu-
and support the guarantees With
se Senator Borah objects to this
Son involving itself in European af-
as, however, while Mr. Wilson has
IT done so.
fe temperance of the figure of
edrow Wilson casting its shadow
the legislative field and over the
ornational horizon caused pro-
Nnd stir at the Capitol. Senator
s~ge called on Secretary Hughes this
sernoon, but whether it concerned
Ills development was not disclosed.
Senate Democrats will confer at
'es3o tomorrow morning and at that
echference 1T is expected the full facts
as to Mr.. Wilson's attitude will be dis
Closed 1t is known that his course Is
causing embarrassment to some of his
old supporters.
Treaties Believed Safe
It is not believed that either the in
tervention OF Mr.. Wilson or anything
else will defeat either the German or
the other treaties. Predictions were
| f.rs''' ~ lie about the Senate TODAY
that in the end substantial majority
.. IT, ,ena1e Democrats will line up
Tor the treaties.
Senator Hitchcock, former chairman
Of Foreign Relations, who led the Will
son Administrations fight in the SEN
tte for the League of Nations, returned
rom the West to-day, and after he had
conferred with Senator Underwood the
Democratic Senatorial conference was
called. Senator Underwood, as Demo-
cratic leader, called the conference.
ne Is expected himself to line up for
tue treaties, and Senator. Hitchcock
aas declared his approval of them.
senator Williams spoke against the
1eaty with Germany late to-day. He
BASED his attitude on the ground it
would mean desertion of the Allies
sno there was no guaranty of the
SAeucn frontier.
1t is not yet possible to say whether
nr Wilson's participation in the stu
ation will cause delay.
Efforts to fix day to vote failed to-
gay, but will be renewed after the
uemocratic conference tomorrow. If
On agreement for an early vote can be
nad the tax bill will be held back for
the present
Senate leaders tonight were still
acpeful of an early vote and felt fully
eonvlnced Of ratification. The German
treaty is the one now being considered,
ana it is assumed the discussion of the
austrian and Hungarian agreements
Siii be perfunctory.
although Senator Lodge has said he
would ask night sessions on the
.neatles, there is strong opposition to
'as course and it may be abandoned.
Long Senate Debate
ihe Senate to-day debated the treaty
snn Germany for several hours. Fea-
ssafes were speeches by Senator Lodge,
ssSator Borah and Senator Williams.
,,;s senator Lodge spoke briefly in am
r.anea'lon .n of his exposition of the
mmsates Saturday. He pointed out that
'"s y, snree were substantially the same.
am sure that no one in Congress
- S0uHtIy, SalU SenaJOE LOQRe,
van van wish to continue the technical
s s.a.e Of war with Germany, Austria
sau hungary. To defeat the treaties
~, Msshs to continue the present abnor-
ia, and most undesirable condition"
ne stressed the fact that Germany
ss ssa''os give what she does not
sss: ssssess and that the only claims
sssslnst ,ss Germany which concern our
sls;es and Germany alone are pre-war
ss.sI' ssn's' These are protected by the
asaents. '''" W ""'e" "ei'hanS
..~'We we arc left at full liberty to as
w our rights under the Treaty of
ssrsa,'ies, so far rs Germany is con-
is.anea' II we so elect" said Senator
sls;gse, lIse, referring to other pre-war
= Ems. THAT is all Germany can give
bo,. under the treaty. Germany is
tsxo ttssa;,,and. and limited by the Treaty of
saited States Action. Not Hintcd
.ls;saator lI;snator King wanted to know if the
fns fssns of the United States against
Traaaany would nc. he limited by the
sMMsy ct Versailles.
%sefc not limited by the Versailles
aWsa'y at ALL" said Senator Lodge. /
sss;n..a aaa maize amy clam we like I
= toe contention of the S.najo- ;c |