Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-01-23
HARDING TO FIGHT
FOR ARMS PACTS
Will Go to Celebrates of Sen
ators Opposing Ratifca.
ton of Treaties.
AWAITS DEVELOPMENTS
Has Invitation to Speak in
!. Many Cities During His
Tour This Summer.
by Robert j. nender,

by Robert J. BENDER.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22.-Political
eNpedlency Will play tho governing
part In the Forthcoming fight around
the arms conference treaties.
There may. and probably will. be
much talk about the treaties and
their effect upon the welfare OF hui
mainly and the world. Privately,
however. leaders in both parties de-
clare that the political fortunes of
the respective parties or individuals
VIII he the dominant factor.
In this situation, It is vel. to re-
memter that united Democratic cp-
position, coupled with the opposition
of small group of irreconcilables on
the Republican side. could prevent
ratification OF the pacts.
,., Plans Extensive Tour.
II being a campaign year. with
seventeen Republican and fifteen
Democratic Senators running for re-
election. President Harding is in
position TO exercise great personal
influence. If he wishes. by going
straight 10 the electorate OF any who
opposed the conference work. He
route to Alaska, next summer, and
going ana coming he could cover the
ground where senatorial fights were
being made on the basis OF the arms
conference treaties. That lie will
maKe such personal campaign it
necessary. is declared by his friends
as certain. He has scores of Invita-
lions TO speak all over the country
during the summer, but is awaiting
acceptance of any OF these to see
what arc the political developments
after the treaties go to the Senate
This is situation which Senators
Johnson. of California, and La Fol-
leue, of Wisconsin, particularly
might find interesting.
Wilson's Attitude Unknown.
g On the Democratic side. the ono
great factor thus far not certainly
clear is the attitude Woodrow Will
son VIII take toward the conference
work. In this connection the writer
has been Informed on the best posi-
bile authority that Wilson has not yet
advised his friends In the Senate, d.
1ecty or indirectly. to take one STAND
or another on tho conference de-
cisions. 1t is further forecast by this
same authority that the former rresi-
dent Will maintain u. positive hands
off. attitude on the whole business.
This would lead the Democratic
minority TO shift for itself, and II is
now undergoing the strain of maxi
ing up its mind what TO CO. There
is no disgusting the opposition OF
clements within the party TO the
leadership of Senator Underwood.
whom they charge privately, with
going over bag and baggage TO the
Republicans In his work on the arms
dele cation. Underwood, as Democratic
leader would be expected to hold his
forces in hand in support OF the
treaty In case Wilson was TO advo-
cate opposition tactics on the part
~ the Democrats
Bat among Democratic leaders
there is an almost overwhelming de-
sir" 10 even tho score with the Re-
puhiicans for the defeat OF the treaty
az Versailles. With Senator Lodge.
Republican leader, majority repre-
sentative on the ar.n-. delegation and
leader OF the opposition against the
Versailles pact, running for rc-elec-
ton this fan the temptation Is very
great indeed TO make the treaties an
issue. The thing troubling the Demo-
Gratis, however. Is whether such "A
course might not be construed as pet
~ revenge. Would II not, they ask.
I've better politics TO play a masnani-
nous part and attempt to show that
the Democrats regard the work AT
Washington as 1T least approaching
the detectives sought at Versailles
and step toward the fulfi!lmcnt Of
that international cooperation which
Wilson s'.uEht AT Paris?
The treaties VIII probably kc in the
Senate before the first OF March
Meantime the Democrats, as well as a
soodly number OF Republicans. are
seeking 10 formulate t...!: positions
in the light OF what Is best for
them politically.
Copyright. 1922. by United News.)