Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-01-02

\
| IN requesting European be1ligerent ma
lions TO suggest terms of peace was
discussed in the Senate today and &C.
, ticn postponed until tomorrow by unan-
imous consent. t-,
Senators Lodge and GaiiinSer. repuo".
leans urged that the resolution be
referred to the foreign relations COM
mittee but Senator Stone. chairman OF
the committee, counselcd against TINS,
declaring that hesitation of action
would Kill the moral effect OF the pro-
posed Endorsement.
Discussion in the Senate.
When the Hitchcock resolution was
reached in the Senate, the Nebraska
senator announced that he hoped that it
could be given non partisan considera-
ton and adopted without difficulty. He
said that several senators on both sides
of the chamber had suggested that the
resolution go over for Il day in the in
terest of possible unanimous action, and
that he was willing it should take that
course if senator's desired further time.
otherwise, he said, he would like ac-
tion at once.
Senator Ga1lineer then urged Sena-
tor Hitchcock to let the resolution go
to the foreign relations committee.
IL it is desirable that the Senate
should express itself on this important
matter, said Senator Gallinger. Il
think that it should accept the judg-
ment of the foreign relations commit
tee in the matter"
II have considered that" Senator
Hitchcock replied, but l think a di
rect vote more expeditions and that
the moral effect of immediate action
by the Senate would be greater. The
Senate is a coordinate authority with
President
matters. 1t is the only legislative body
in the world that has functions and
powers relating to International affairs.
The Senate has reputation and stand
ing in the world similar, If not equal,
to that of the President.
In my opinion. the Senate has duty
to perform. The President has per-
formed his. In the face of this tre-
mendous world calamity. now that the
President has taken this step with the
object and purpose of showing that
the United States, as a great neutral
nation, desires the belligerent nations
to state terms upon which peace might
be reached, surely the Senate ought to
act and act at once.
Not Subject for Argument.
|, at would not be necessary to inolve the
Senate in any argument over the war
situation The resolution does not refer
to any of the argumentative part of the
Presidents note. Our Endorsement would
be merely an approval of the request for
a statement from the belligerents of the
possible terms of peace.
in all these countries there is a grow
ing sentiment toward action looking
toward peace. That will be given great
impulse If the Senate should act. This
is so important that l do not believe it
necessary to refer it to a committee.
Il am not speaking for our material
interests" Senator Hitchcock conclud-
ed They are great But we as a neu-
xal have a.SiGkts TO asks.4his thing.
Not only have Wef that by right of in
conventions"
Senator Gallinger them asked that the
resolution go over until tomorrow. when,
he hoped. adequate time for it's con-
sideration would be given.
Il yield to no man." said Senator Gal
finger, lin desire to have the horrible
conditions in Europe terminated and I
would not by voice or vote prevent any,
thing tending TO accomplish that result.
But l have received many letters SAYING
the resolution is not in good FORM and is
not likely to accomplish what the senator
from Nebraska desires. / also read that
there is grave suggestion that our action
might result in an abandonment Of Wash
ineton's warning against entangling al
liances.'
Il am not versed in international law
and do not know If that objection is
well founded. 1t also has been suR-
gested that ii might result in endan-
gering the Monroe doctrine"
Urges Time for Debate.
That time should be given for calm
and dispassionate debate" was urged
by Senator Gaflinger. He said he did
not believe such debate would take
long tomorrow
That the resolution is of such great
Importance that II should be referred
TO the foreign relations COMMITTEES was
stated by Senator Lodge.
1T seems to me very grave. large
and important subject" said Senator
Lodge. 1T is OF the most serious
character and demands examination
Of the committee. There should he
ample discussion. I have not the
/ slightest desire to delay action. but
~ is altogether too important to al
i low to pass without discussion"
Amendment of the Hitchcock resoIu-
ton, at least in minor details. also IL
needed, Senator Lodge stated. He said
all official papers should be in the Sen
ares possession. the Presidents note
being the only document officially re-
ceiyed. In considering the resolution
the Massachusetts senator continued
! The Senate should have before il oftjciai
\ copies OF the German proposal. the
| entente reply, the Swiss and Spanish
notes and all other pertinent docu-
ments.
q