Evening star., 1917-01-24

such an amount OF time as tftis Iesolu
tion proposes. when no official actor
can be taken, seems to ME to be .
melancholy waste of time
' Before a vote could be ordered Sen
Gator Shafroth. democrat. urged a pup
slic hearing by the foreign relations
l. frommittee and debate in the Senate ir
the usual special session to conhrm ap
pointments after March l.
Proposes World Tribunal.
- Senator Shafroth read resolution
(which he did not introduce. proposing
a treaty for the creation of world
tribunal with power to enforce its de-
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 effected.
by force
Then" said Senator Gallinger. you
: would go to war to secure peace.
This proposal is. of course. revolu-
tionary," said Senator Shafroth. put
you've got to have something revolu.
tionary if you are to stop recurrence OF
these awful wars"
Don't you think we would have pref
ty entangling alliances if we get into
thatg' 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 Ameri-
can republics, the tribunal would turn
over a greater force for enforcement OF
their territorial integrity"
Does the senator realize that he is
doing now the very thing aimed at in
my resolution-discussing the Presi-
, dents message" Senator CumminS IN
terrupted. Il did not provoke discus
sion of the merits of the address
Senator Shafroth replied. amid subdued
laughter, that the resolution should go
to the committee for consideration in
extraordinary session after March A.
Constitutional Question.
Senator Fall. republican, inquired
whether the United States could join
ar international court without consti-
tutional amendment.
= Il doubt IL ii could: in fact. I have
resolution now of that very kind re-
piled Senator Shafroth.
= Then you would practically vest in
this court the power to declare war.
suggested Senator Fall.
ITO have peace-enforclng tribunal
Senator Shafroth answered. you must
have that power somewhere and not In
Zach individual nation"
Interrogating Senator Norris. Senator
Sherman. republican. said:
I'll ask If there is any definite. con-
crete proposition in a stump speech
from the throne made in this very
chamber by the President, when the
Senate is vested with the sole treaty
making power? Is there any issue pre-
sented in this address, Was 1t not
rather intended to fereafail action by
The Senate. BY appealing to public
opinion before the Senate had chance
TO discuss the question? Was II NOT a
move to forestall and prevent action,
and make us accept any treaty consid-
dered in advance"
Declines to Discuss Motives.
Senator Norris answered Senator
Sherman by saying he did not wish to
discuss the motives behind the Presi-
dents address.
Senator Weeks. republican. of Massa-
chusetts, declared the President in ad-
dressing the Senate either was using
the Senate as negaphone through
which to address the world, or he ex-
pected some action
IF action is not taken before March
g." Senator Weeks continued. what
position would the United States be in
II victory in the present war should
occur between, March and next De-
cember, when Congress would meet
again? The President says that there
must be peace without victory in the
present war. Are we to sit in extra
session to watch the course of events
in Europe to see il there is to be
victory?"
~ Only Real Issue.