New-York tribune., 1922-02-05
Wilson Won't
Fight Treaties,
Senate Hears
Prospects of Ratification
Brighten As Democratic
Leaders Report ex-Presi-
dent Will Remain AIoof
Naval Agreement Up First
Majority Inclined TO Defer
Action on Others Until
Tariff Bill l. Out Of WAY
III, 1...l..-c-s r-asls.nat ord Hur1nu

r.,.s 9ic Y,-1-4-cs 1rasisiao to,,s Bureau
WASHINGTON. tcb. A-Opponents
,~.hc four -pcwor treaty and the other
n~-eencnts which will be submitted to
A. Senate following tho armamcn Mt
Recitation conference have been ap-
Irl.ld that former President Wilson is
f. likely to attempt TO prevent their
iltiacanon.
Contrary to tho assertions of some of
.bc Denoc ratio Senator'S earlier in the
sessions of the conference. that the
former President would fight the four
mower and other agreements, 1T was dc
rlarrd TO-DAY by Democratic leaders
, hat Mr. Wilson would hold aloof
Knowledge that Mr.. Wilson is not go
<rr to fight the treaties. or, at least,
strong doubt that he will choose to
rev alignment Of Democratic Senator's.
Enough Of those who heretofore have
been set down as against the agree
ments arc moving toward support OF
them 10 make the Republican leadc RS
feel convinced the treaties will be rati-
fed
Controls Halt of Democrats
Mr. Wilson has strong influence with
about half the Democratic Senators, SO
that + he were 10 declare against the
treaties his action would jeopardize
ratification. Opponents of the com
pacts have been building hopes on his
coming out in statement to the coun-
try against the four power agreement
and some Of the other conciusions
The conference having succeeded in
bringing about adjustments of Far
Eastern complications to an extent
Which many Of its frie nds regarded as
improbable when it opened, and the
work Of the conference measured as a
whole having brought praise from per
sons who were long dubious or skepti-
cal, some Democratic Senators who al
hrst were critical arc experiencing a
change Of heart.
Plans are going ahead for an carly
informal conference between Senator
Underwood and the Democratic mem
bers. He is expected to go over the
work in detail and tell the reasons for
each provision In an effort to persuade
enough of his colleagues to support
the treaties to assure their ratifcati
ton.
Senator Underwood. it is understood.
Will seek to impress on his fellow
Demoerat.s that there will be a serious
responsibility on them if they block
the treatles and there then ensue tur-
noil and threatcned war in the Pacific
region.
Senator Hitchcock. ranking Demo.
cratic member of the Committee on
Foreign Relations, who again attended
the conference today, said the pro
c'edlngs were ''impressive." He still
oelevas the treaties will go through,
put said the chief fight would range
soout the four-power treaty.
Republicans to Consult Harding
senate Republican leaders and the
President Will confer in the near future
Sno settle on the program for consid-
GRAFTON OF the treaties, whether thcv
ere to precedc the tariff bill and other
legislation or follow those measures.
Vne plan which finds favor is to take
.ne treaties I'D as soon as possible in
Ie Senate and try out the opposition.
II seems they can be forced to vote
SlthoQt much delay that would be done,
ssIccording to this plan. If 1T be found
mere Will be many weeks Of debate
sne treaties would be laid aside until
@llh revision is out of the way.
"a possible solution which is being
discussed among the leaders is to take
~ 'ne naVa agreement, dispose imme-
oiaeely OF that before the tariff bill or
.tner important legislation, and defer
nc o,ner agreements until later. All
nluicatlons arc there will be practically
40 opposition to the naval treaty. 1t
- understood Senator Borah Will not
ysppose 1t. One reason Why haste is
aeSlreu on the naval understanding is
sna' until 1t is approved the Appropri-
.aliohs committee of the House cannot
~s1i ,i frame the naval appropriation bill.
- ne night on the four-power treaty is
nseiy to develop chiefly into q con
sav,versy over reservations. Opponents
1 1emeVe they can muster the votes to
so'npei the adoption OF a reservation
" article II Which Will exclude the use
VI VI 1crcc and thus keep the United
n na'es out OF any obligation to 90 to
ns 70 protect the possessions of any
" <ne powers signatory to the treaty.
~ Tact they believe they VIII be able
70 SC, enough Republicans in the For
eesh relations Committee TO line up
;o' soch d reservation TO ger t adopted
d ene committee by combination Of
"ePuoilcan and Democratic votes.