Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-13
26 Sign Petition Asking
"CIarifying" Declaration.
Tone ConCiIiatory.
WHITE HOUSE PARLEY
BRINGS HOPE OF, ACTION
Issue Is Discussed Frankly by
Coolidge, Kellogg, Curtis and
Idaho Senator.
b. The Associated Press.

bE We Associated Press
President Coolidge threw his influence
yesterday against the Senate legislative
Jam in which the Kellogg anti-War
treaty and the cruiser construction bill
are caught, and this added pressure re-
suited last night in at least renewal
of conferences looking to way to
obtain action.
Tomorrow Chairman Borah OF the
foreign relations committee, in charge
of the treaty, will renew his request for
an agreement to limit debate on the
pact and he believes it will be accepted.
Conferences looking to that end were
revived late yesterday.
White House alarm over the Senate
situation was reflected in a senatorial
breakfast party and conference later
between Coolidge and Senator Curtis
of Kansas, the Republican leader; Sena-
tor Borah and Secretary Kellogg, the
father of the treaty.
Petition Is Circulated.
While this conference was going on
the Republican-Democrati group seek
ing an Interpretation of the pact
started a petition in the Senate asking
for some sort of clarifying declara-
ton to the treaty. More than 26 sigma
lures had been obtained by last night.
The petition, however, is conciliatory in
tone. stating that the signers believe in
the treaty, but would like clarifying
declaration.
It is intended to have the petition
sent to Secretary Kellogg, who SO far
has stood adamant to any manner TO
Interpretation of the treaty other than
that contained in his correspondence
with other nations. There have been
reports to the Senate that the Secretary
secuted the strength of those who want
an Interpretation.
The petition, which Senators Bing
ham. Republican, Connecticut; Moses of
New Hampshire, and Reed, Democrat
Missouri, are passing around proposes
that report be made by the foreign
relations committee setting forth the
views expressed by Chairman Borah on
the floor regarding the treaty as suf1i-
cient guaranty of Americas interpre-
tation of the pact,
Frank Discussion.
The White House conference resulted
In some frank discussion and it ended
about where it started, with promises Of
hope only. Senator Borah informed
Mr.. Coolidge that he was not interested
in whether the bill authorizing is new
cruisers was passed or not, and remind
ed the President that those who are
talking against the treaty happen to
be among those most interested in pas
sage Of the cruiser measure.
The Moses-Reed group are ready to
compromise on their resolution of in
depreciation in favor of only commit
tee report stating that it was not con-
Sldered that the treaty would infringe
upon or embaraSs Americas Monroe
Doctrine. Senator Borah has expressed
this view on the floor, but Secretary
Kellogg and the Senator are unwilling
to have formal interpretative dec
laration made regarding the pact. Sec
retary Kellogg reiterated his views in
this regard at the White House parley.
There appears to be good prospects
that the petition will get more than 33
votes-the one-third necessary to de-
feat ratification of the pact--but the
sponsors OF the petition disclaim any
intention of seeking to defeat the treaty.
Their objective is to get an interpre-
tative declaration of some form. The
petition pledges the Signers not to ask
for vote on adoption of a committee
report should one be brought out That
is what is worrying Secretary kellogg
and Senator Borah, but no assurance
would be given by the treaty sponsors
that they would agree to committee
report even in the face of such a
pledge.
Shortridge Speaks.
Senator Borah held the treaty before
the Senate again during the afternoon
with Senator Shortridge. Republican,
California. taking up the cudgels in its
behalf. Shortridge spoke at consider
able length and was interrupted only
by Senator Blaine. Republican, Wiscon-
sin, who wants a resolution adopted de-
claring that Great Britain's note reserv-
ing freedom of action in the protection
of her territories shall not be regarded
as a reservation to the treaty.
ASsailing the contention that an in
depreciation is necessary to protect
Americas right of self-defense under
the pact, Shortridge insisted that the
right of self-defense is inherent and
cannot be abridged by any treaty.
In his address Senator Shortridge
declared that by entering into this
treaty we surrender, we abandon, no
American right, no American policy"
Doctrine Held Secure.
"All the nations of the earth," he
said, have been authoritatively noti-
fed that we consider the Monroe Doc
trine ss embraced within and forming
an integral part of our inherent right
of self-defense That doctrine rests
secure on the solid rock where 1t was
placed by James Monroe century and
six years ago.
Let lis hope. let us believe, that. free
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