TREATY SITUATION

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10508, 9 February 1920, Page 6

TREATY SITUATION

HOPE DISPELLED PRESIDENT WILSON S ATTITUDE UNCHANGED. By Telcgraah—Press Association—Copyright Australian ami N.Z. Cable Association(Received February 8, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, February 6. The hope that tho Treaty would speedily be ratified, since it will shortly again bo brought up on the floor of the Senate, has been again dispelled. Senator Hitchcock stated that ho does not think President Wilson lias changed his attitude regarding tho reservations, despite Viscount Grey's letter, and it President Wilson does not accept Senator Lodge’s reservations and the Republicans do not make a measurable modification in connection with the reservations there, cannot be a change in tho Treaty situation. PRESIDENT WILSON APPROVES RESERVATIONS BUT . (Received February 8, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON. February 7. President Wilson has written to Senator Hitchcock approving of tho reservations to the Peace Treaty which Senator Hitchcock presented at tho recent conferences of Republicans.. Tho letter was written prior to Visount Grey’s letter. OBLIGATIONS MUST BE RESPECTED. (Received February 8, 11 p.m.) WASHINGTON, February 7. President Wilson, in a letter read to tho Democratic Senators at a secret conference, said he would accept Senator Hitchcock’s reservations, but could not accept any reservations that would cause the United States to reject her international obligations under Article Ten of the League of Nations Covenant. The letter reaffirmed President Wilson’s stand against any but interpretative reservations. UNITED STATES EULOGISED. WAR SERVICES RECOGNISED BY BRITISH PREMIER.

(Received February 8, 5.3 p.m.) NEW YORK, February 7. Interviewed by tho “New York Times” London correspondent, Mr Lloyd George said : “I might have hopes as to what the United States might see her way to do, but I could not presume in advising her about her business. The United States came into the war when she was most needed. Her coming was like an avalanche. President Wilson and the whole Administration and every branch of American cooperation, everywhere worked effectively with Europe against Germany. Finally the American people put every ounce of their might into tho war on the issues offering no direct or immediate menace to tneir interests. I can only say I trust them and their sound judgments.” A DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS. (Received February 9, 1.15 a.m.) WASHINGTON, February 7. Thirty Democratic Senators held a caucus at which it was unanimously decided to do everything possible to facilitate the calling up of tho Treaty on the floor of the Senate on February 9th. Senator Hitchcock said the Democrats would also support the recommitment of the Treaty to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. CHINESE INTERESTS. (Received February 9, 1.13 a.m.) PEKIN, February 7. Air Hawlking, Co unci Ho r to the Chinese Foreign Office, who has just returned from Paris, lias pointed put that Japan’s proposal to open negotiations for tho return of Shantung embarrasses China since the refusal would endanger Chino-Japanese relations and cause the indefinite restoration of the province,, whifo acceptance would cause disturbances within China because virtually every (section of tho population object to tho negotiations. Mr Hawlking is not in favour of the submission of the matter to the League of Nations because the status of the League is still indefinite. He said no reply would be made until the different Chinese provinces could be consulted on the question.