Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 July 1919 — DEMOCRATS' AID SOUGHT BY TAFT [ARTICLE]

DEMOCRATS' AID SOUGHT BY TAFT

Former President Opens Correspondence With Leaders ? of the Party. PACT COMPROMISE IS URGED Also Suggests to G- O- p - Leader* That Difference* Be Patched Up With the Administration —Another Day of Debate. Washington, July 25.—Former President Taft, who has written to several Republican senator and leaders suggesting reservations to the pence treaty which might be acceptable to both sides, has opened correspondence on the subject with prominent Democratic senators. Senator Hitchcock of Nebraska, one of the leading spokesmen for the administration in the senate fight, received a letter from Mr. Taft. The former president’s communication to the Nebraska senator was not made public, but It was understood to be of the same general tenor as those sent to the Republicans —suggestions for agreement upon treaty reservations or Interpretations to facilitate ratification. Still Against Compromise. Senator Hitchcock and other administration senators declared, however, that for the present, at least, they ‘would continue their efforts for ratification without reservations. Expressing confidence that there was no question but that the treaty would be ratified, they said the fight now centered on the resolution accompanying ratification in which would be embodied any reservations or Interpretations. Contending that senate rules required a vote on each article of the treaty, the administration leaders said they believed they had the votes to defeat amendments to any section, as a simple majority only would be required. Conceding that strength might develop to compel acceptance of a ratification resolution with qualifying clauses, the administration senators said they had not yet been advised by President Wilson whether he would be disposed to accept any interpretations. It was said, however, that the administration would oppose to the last any qualifying clauses which would require renegotiation of the treaty. Democratic Leaders Stand Firm. Although Senators McNary, Oregon,; "McCumber, North Dakota, and others conditionally favoring the league expressed confidence that In the end xnost of the Democrats and many Republicans would unite In a middle ground, the Democratic leaders remained unchanged in their attitude favoring unreserved ratification. The senate had in store another day cf debate on the treaty and the foreign relations committee planned to continue its reading of the long document, but the major interest centered In the informal discussions among senators about reservations and Mr. Taft's suggestions along that line. Taft Idea Unpopular. The plan of compromise proposed by Mr. Taft for reservations in the League of Nations covenant has aroused’ more resentment than support in the senate. Neither the friends nor the foes of the league will have anything to do with the reservations proposed by him. Administration senators who have been carrying on the fight for. the league are especially ■wrought up.