El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-01-24
SENATE EVADES
SPEECH DEBATE
Resolution to Discuss Viii
sons World Peace Plan
Goes to the Calendar.

president Wilson's peace address until
all senator's have expressed their views
was deferred today and it was sent
to the CALENDAR after it had been de-
batej two hours
Opening the debate on his resoIu-
ton, senator Cummins said the presi-
dents suggestions were the most i'm
pOrtant ever made by chief executive
of the United States and right or
wrong, the senate owed it to the coun-
try TO set aside time for a full dis
cussion of the issues involved.
When senator Cuumins called up his
resolution, senator 8randegee. of Con-
necticut, insisted upon a quorum. say
ing:
This matter touches on the most
important question that has ever been
before the United States senate
When call brought the required
number. senator Cummins resumed:
Wants Vote on Resolution.
I have no disposition to speak AT
length on this resolution. l hope sin
cerely that We may be able to reach
a vote on II before the morning hour
comes to a close It will be observed
that the resolution does not invite nor
even properly permit a discussion at
this time of the soundness or IN
sOundness of the purposes announced
IN the presidents address ] viii do
all l can to hold the debate 70 the
point at issue. What is it, 1t is this
Ought the senate on some day in the
near future do the country justice OF
informing the people and advising the
president of our views concerning
policy of the most vital Importance
to which he has told us he is about to
commit his government?
For the purpose of discussion II
matters not whether the president IS
right or wrong. In either case his
a nj
ever made by a chief executive Of the
United States He so regards it The
whole country so looks upon II ana
foreign nations so accept it. He has
come to the senate frankly and boldly
and 1 assume with all sincerity. say
ing that he owed it to us TO disclose
to US the purpose in his mind ny
did he owe it TO US to disclose without
reserve the thought and purposes IN
his mind?"
Is Council To BE Dumb:
Senator Cummins said the president
himself had answered that question
when he referred 10 the senate as
council associated with me-" in in
ternational affairs.
Are We to sit dumb under this ap-
peaI?" asked the Iowa senator the
time 10 vote. il is true, has not ar
rived. but is the council to remain silent
public judgment is being entered?
IF we are to render an opinion IN
response to his invitation II means that
ne chose the senate CONDUIT
through which 10 pass the new doe
trine TO the ministers OF foreign al
fairs of the world and the newspapers
or as setting for a beautl1ul picture
skilfullv painted I hardly believe any
one will put the president in the posi-
ton of having so flagranuy mIsused
the privileges of the senate am nor
challenging either the sincerity or the
courage of the chief executive
nj Time.
Senator Stone, chairman OF the Tor
eign relations committee, opened as
cussion in opposition to the resolu-
tiou arguing that il would take more
If every senator took the proposed hour
to discuss the subject He urged Jnd1
the resolution be referred TO the loI-
eign relations committee
BEFORE A vote could be ordered. sen
aror Shafroth. Democrat urged puD-
lie hearing by the foreign relations
committee and debate in the senate
special session TO confirm appointments
senator Shafroth read q resolution
which he did not introduce, proposing
treaty for the creation OF a Worid
tribunal with power to enforce us ue-
crees. to be supported by the military
and naval forces of the treaty powers
Senator Gallinger asked how the de-
crees of the tribunal would be erected
BY force"
Then" said senator GaIlinger. you
would 20 to war to secure peace
Admits Proposal ReyOlutiOnary-
This proposal is, of course reFolu-
tionary." said senator Shafroth, but
vou'ev got to have something revolu-
if we are to stop recurrence OF
these awful wars"
Don't you think we would have
pretty entangling alliances If we get
into that2r asked senator Gallinger-
NO. YOU would have your treaty de
fning the power OF the international
tribunal. Instead OF the Monroe doc
trine alone protecting the South Amer
lean republics. the tribunal would turn
over gr alter force for enforcement
of their territorial integrity
Lodge FavOrs Debate.
Senator Weeks, Republican OF Mas
sachusetts declared the president IN
the senate either was US
ing the senate as a megaphone through
which to address the world or ne eA-
pected some action
IF action is not taken before March
T." senator Weeks continued. what
position would the United States be N
if victory in the present war should
occur between March 4 and next De I
cember. when congress would meet !
again.
-HThe only issue involved here" said !
senator Lodge. of Massa chusetts, rank |
ing Republican member Of tie foreign |
relations committee, lis limitation OF |
time for debate on these issues Any /
can express his views on this |
subject at any time and l think for
that reason the Cummins resolution /
would save time instead Of waste It |
of one another and so they named a |
ticket Kelly didn't like Tom Lea and {