New-York tribune., 1922-03-08
Close Friends of Former
President Most Active
i'll Campaign to Beat
Arms Plan i'm Senate
Baruch Repeatedly
Coniers With Borah
Harding Will Apply No
Pressure 10 Force the
Ratification of Policies

From The Triburc'0 WashtnytoH BHrsou
WASHlNGTON, March 7.-Renewcd
reports that from his house in S Street
oodrow Wilson, former President, is
quietly backing up the fight on the
four-power treaty in the Senate stirred
Senator'S to-day. Mr. Wilson has not
issued a statement and outwardly is
not taking part IN the controversy, but
certain of hia intimate friends, includ-
ing Bernard NJ Baruch, are highly
active, and there is every reason to
believe that in their efforts against the
four-powor treaty they are thoroughly
in line with Mr.. Wilson and are get
ting their inspiration and encourage
ment from him.
The disclosures regarding what is
being done by friends Of Mr.. Wilson
and statements as to the attitude o.
President Harding on the treaties con-
stitutcd the important developments OF
the day in the treaty situation. TIE
President. it is uthoritatively stated,
has not dcputized Secretary Hughes to
take charge OF the four-powcr treaty
fight in behalf of the Administration.
Harding Refuses to Plead
Further, it is stated, the Admin stra :
tion has done its best with reference
to this and other conference agree
nents and there is no intention tc
lobby, trade, supplicatc or admonish to
have tho treaties accepted either by
the Senate or the people Of the United
Ofofar Tho D-ooiJonf IN cbOrt ~ O
said, is weary of the Senate opposition
to the treaties and the tactics used in
ossailing them. If the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee calls on MY
Hughes for information the President.
however, will not stand in the way Of
the Secretary giving it.
1t was said the President would re-
ply to the Senate's request for a state
ment or the status of the Lansing
Ishii agreement probably within TWEEN
ty-four hours.
The fact became known this after
noon thet Mr.. Baruch, one Of the right
hand men Of Mr.. Wilson in his ad-
ministration, recently had been in con.
Senator Borah. who is the chief oppo-
nent Of the four-power treaty. Mr.
Baruch Is understood to be encourag-
ing the fight against the four-powe1
treaty on the ground that it is an al
lance and not in harmony with the
League Of Nations.
Mr.. Baruch's view is in close har-
mony with the views which have re
Gently been expressed by Norman
Davis, former Under Secretary OF
State. Mr.. Davis also views the four.
power arrangement as all alliance
which is not in consonance with the
League Of Nations, and thinks it will
promote trouble rather than bring
about peace. Mr.. Wilson's position is
similar. Mr.. Davis has not been in
conference with Senator Borah, but il
is known he is in close touch with
him.
Would Embarrass Republicans
1t has also developed that Governor
Cox is not only against the four power
treaty, but is anxious to see the tables
turned on the Republicans and the
Harding Administration thrust into the
same situation as to the four-powe
treaty which the Wilson Administra-
tion was forced into with reference to
the Versailles treaty.
The activities Of Mr. Wilson'S close
friends against the four-power treaty
are not confined to conferences with
Senator Borah. They are in close
touch with numerous Democratic Sen
ators. Under the circumstances, there
is little reason to doubt that the effort
TO block the treaty will be carried on
vigorously for some time longer. OPP
poncnts Of the treaty to-day expressed
the view ib would last two weeks
more. They claim to have twenty-si3;
Democratic votes against the treaty
and four Republicans, making thirty
~, If 70 ~
two more which, Considering probable
absentees, would defeat ratification
While the friends of the treaty do not
admit the opposition has such strength
Senator Lodge is seeking to bring in all
the Gbscntees he can and will take no
chances.
Senator Lodge was at the White
House again to-day to talk with the
President, and in spite Of the long de-
bate in prospect, reported the outlook
Continued next pase)