Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-09-24
SENATE COMMITTEE
APPROVES TREATIES
WITH CENTRAL POWERS

Washington, Sept. 23-The treaties
of peace negotiated by the admins
tration with Germany. Austria and
Hungary, were approved today by the
Senate foreign relations committee
but with two reservations.
One reservation-similar to a Lodge
reservation to the treaty of Yer
saiiles-would require an act of con-
gress prior to representation on or
participation in any foreign agencies
or commissions by an American rep
resentative whose nomination would
have to be confirmed by the Senate.
The other is designed to protect the
property rights of American citizens
as we'll as of the American govern
ment in the three former enemy coun-
tries.
Adoption of the two reservations
brought from the White House the
statement that while President Hard
ing had not seen their text he favored
the principles involved and no objec-
ton would be raised by the admin
istration to ratification with the pro-
posed reservations attached.
Senator Borah, Republican, Idaho, a
leader Of the "irreconcilables" in the
treaty of Versailles ratification,
fight. alone Of the foreign relations
committee members. stood out
against the recommendation that the
three treaties be ratified with the
proposed reservations
/ Democratic committee members
Joined with the other Republicans in
ordering the pacts reported favorably
to the Senate, where they were rep
resented late today by Senator Lodge
of Massachusetts, Republican leader
and committee chairman
The treaties. Sen. Lodge announced.
are to be called before the Senate to-
morrow, when he plans to make a
preferential motion for their discus
sion ahead of all other business It
is proposed. however. to give right
Of way next week to the tax bill and
to have night sessions, beginning
probably next Tuesday, in an effort
to hasten ratification.
/ Committee discussions of the
treaties today developed that the ad-
ministration plans to begin with
drawal of American troops from Ger
many imp ediately after ratification.
1 Senator Lodge told the committee
he had been so advised by Secretary
Hughes, adding that the American
forces would he greatly reduced" af-
ter ratification. but when complete
evacuation would be accomplished
was undetermined. It was indicated
during the discussion that a small
body for American representation
might remain indefinitely on the
Rhine.
The committees decision to report
the treaties brought schism in the
ranks of the "irreconcilables" of the
Versailles treaty fight. Senator John
son. Republican. California. who was
associated prominently with Senator
Borah in opposition to the Versa lilies
treaty today voted for ratification
with the reservations Another cir
rccOncilahle". Senator shields. Demo-
crat. Tennessee. also supported the
treaties today.
Senator Rorah indicated after the
committee meeting that he would
continue his opposition to the new
treaties to the last and wage his
fight on the Senate floor. Senator
Johnson. however. was said to feel
that with the reservations relating to
congressional consent to American
membership on allied commissions
applicable especially to the repara
tions commission. ample safeguards
against "ontangling European allan
ces" were provided and the League Of
Nations and other features of the
Versailles treaty of which he disap-
proved finally rejected.
4 Leaders of both parties tonight de-
clared that ratification of the three
treaties was assured. The majority
Of the Democrats as we'll as the Re-
publicans were expected to support
lem.
Senator Lodge said the treaties
would be pressed vigorously. He
hopes to secure final action within
ten days or two weeks and certainly
before the converting Of the arma-
mont limitation conference to which
he is an American delegate.