New-York tribune., 1922-03-03

Senator's Action Follows
Dinner by Tumulty TO
Democratic Leaders to
Discuss Party Program
Ratification Still
Believed Assured
Stand of Ncbraskan, How
ever, Makes Sharp Con-
test on Floor Inevitable


'ron, Yhc 7ribpncs WASHINGTON sprcou
WASHINGTON. Merch . Senator
Hitchcock of Nebraska. ranking Demo
cratic member of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee, former chairman
OF that committee and the leader o.
the Wilson Administration fight for the
ratification of the trca'y of Versailles,
declared against tho four-powcr treaty
to-day unless it is changed by amend
mcnt or reservation to meet his oh
icctions. Senator Hitchcock made It
plain that he would not vote for rati-
hcation IN the trcaty's present form.
One of the chief reservations or
amendments which Senator Hitchcock K
insists on is a stipulation that the con-
sent OF Congress must be necessary be 70
fore the government is bound by any
understanding as to the most efficient
means to meet a threatened aggrcssio on
against any Of the Pacific islands which
arc in the scope OF the agreement This
was proposed in tho original Brandcgee
reservation, but was eliminated from
the modified Brandcgec reservation as
finally approved By the Foreign RcIa-
tions Committee
Hitchcock Quotes Lchida
Senator Hitchcock SAID the treaty
might be called the "ouadrupIc Pacific
defensive alliance" and he pointed out
that Baron Uchida had lust informed
the Japanese Parliament that the four
power treaty "was not intended to al
rogatc the Anglo Japanese alliance but
rather to widen and extend that all-
anco.' Tho Senator holds that if Japan
gave up the Angl oJapancse alliance to
get larger one livery serious qucs-
tion is presented to the Senate
How far the detection Of Senator
Hitchcock will be followed by the OPP
position Of other Democratic Senators
to the fourpower treaty is something
which has not become entirely clear
Senator Hitchcock was ono of the Dem
ocrats who voted for the Yap treaty
He intends to support the other treatie
with the exception Of the four-powcr
treaty
Senator IIitchcock's attack on the
treaty, coupled with the activity of
pro Wilson Democrats against it, led
to renewed speculation in Senate circles
as to the part former President Wilson
is playing in the treaty situation. It
continues to be rumored that Mr.. Will
son is against the four-powcr treaty
and that his views are we'll known to
his old adhcrcnts in the Senate These
rumors keep up, despite denials OF
Democratic Senators that they have
counsclcd with Mr.. Wilson. Mr.
Hitchcock s speech reflected to large
extent the ideas which. in Senate gos-
SIP, are imputed to Mr.. Wilson con-
ccrnlng the four power agreement.
Follows Tumulty Dinner
Senator Hitchcock's attack came on
the heels Of series of Democratic
party conferences going on here yestcr-
day and to-day, in which James NJ. Cox.
Democratic Pres idcntlal candidate in
the last election, took a leading part.
Senator Hitchcock was one Of twenty
prominent Democrats at private din
ner given last night by Joseph P. Tu-
multy, former secretary to Woodrow
Wilson, at which the treaty question
was discussed along with other ma
tional issues. The absence from the
dinner of Senators Underwood and
Pomcrcnc, who favor the four powe r
treaty. lent crcdencc to the belief that
plans were laid there for more CON
ccrted Democratic campaign against
ratification of that convention.
The general view about the Senate
to-day was that with Senator Hitch
cock fighting the four-powcr convcn-
ton there was sure to be hard con-
test over it, but that there was no
sign the opposition could muster
enough votes to defeat it or to force
new reservations.
Further Concessions Possible
If later it develops that the
treaty is in real danger unless further
reservations are adopted to satisfy SEN
ator Hitchcock and such Democrats as
concessions will be made. 1t is we'll
known that Senator Lodge wants no
moro reservations adopted, but on the
other hand it is also clear that he will
Continued on paqe three)