Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-01-04
PEACE DEBATE ON
IN SENATE AGAIN
Senator Lodge Resumes
Speech in Opposition to
Hitchcock Resolution.
ACTION URGED BY LEWIS


today against the Hitchcock resolution
indorsing President Wilson'S request
for terms of peace from European bel
ligerents. declared adoption of the reso-
luton would be leap In the dark and
precipitate Congress into the midst of
incompleted negotiations concerning
which it knew nothing.
Senator Lewis of Illinois began a
defense of the resolution for the demo-
Gratis, declaring that it did not involve
the nation in the unprecedented prin-
ciples suggested by Senator Lodge.
Senator Lewis declared that the reso-
luton would merely approve the action
of the President in sending the note
requesting terms of peace. and not the
contents of the note. which might IN
volve other issues.
Lodge Corrects Statement.
At the outset Senator Lodge correct
ed his translation of the German am
bassador's published statement prais-
ing the note. for which he yesterday y
assailed the envoy.
ment, said Senator Lodge. II quoted it
stating that Germany stands ready to
follow him.. meaning the President. l
have been informed that the German word
was used in the sense of it and not him.
and that the phrase meant that Germany
was willing to follow the star of Bethle-
hem.' thus carrying out the pleasing par
allel in the ambassadors statement be-
tween the Presidents note and the star
Of Bethlehem.
Il do not think, however. that the
change alters the essential meaning of
the ambassadors statement
Ambassador Bernstorff's statement.
referred to, as retranslated by Senator
Lodge, would read:
AS once the star of Bethlehem from
afar led the kings of the orient through
the night to the fulfillment of their
hopes. SO through the darkness of this
useless murder in Europe there shines
out of the words of President Wilson
earth"
Germany stands ready to follow it.
Assured of it's strength, but not arro-
CANT. conscious that it drew the sword
not out of lust of conquest. but for
the defense of its national existence, it
does not ask for alien territory. but
for safety from attack, and against
alliances that threaten the peace of
the world"
Cooperation After the War.
Resuming his direct argument on the
Presidents note, Senator Lodge re-
ferred to that portion of the note which
indicated that the United States was
willing to cooperate after the. war
with the beIligerent nations of Europe
and other nations in an arrangement
for peace of the world.
ut Is apparent to every one. re con-
tfnued. that when we abandon our
traditional policy of separation from
European politics we take a very great
step which should not be taken with
out most thorough knowledge of what
is intended and of the distance which
We are invited to go.
An approval OF the note in this gen.
eral form carries with it approval of
that general principle of co-operation"
Reading Germany's reply to the Pres
ident's note. Senator Lodge said:
There is nothing in this reply that
compares with the statement of the
German ambassador regarding the star
OF Bethlehem and the light cast by the
Presidents note. but il we remove the
diplomatic civilities we find that on the
three principal points-the request for
terms. the proposal for neutral Coop
Grafton. and also as to the future CO.
operation IN league for enforcement
OF world peace-the German note is
nothing about terms whatever. 1t
passes that by in complete silence"
German Attitude Sensible.
Referring to the portion of the Ger
man reply which speaks of the worlds
future peace, Senator Lodge said he be-
lieved on that point the German gov
ernment had taken the sensible
ground that might have been antici-
pated"
indicating Germanys terms have been
communicated to the President
III the President has the terms pro-
posed by the central powers" he said,
1T is entirely in his discretion to deal
with them, but il we are to indorse
anything he is doing, then before action
is taken We should know the grounds
on which we are acting. When our
cooperation is asked we are entitled
TO the same information the President
has.
Opposes Blanket Endorsement.
Il think it is clear from the German
note that no advance whatever has
been made on the points which the
Presidents note sets forth. Yet we are
asked. In the presence Of that reply.
and We do not know whether Germany's
terms Of peace are in the Presidents
hands, 10 give blanket Endorsement,
wholly blindly. to this entire negotia-
ton"
Here Senator Lodge read the entente
reply of the original German peace
proposal, which referred to the Ger
man offer as pretended proposals of
peace"
Certainly from that note" said
Senator Lodge. ''it is plain that the
allies do not accept the German pro-
posals, and II seems to me that TO ven
ture in the negotiations. which neither
party has asked US to begin. indi-
Gated an acceptance. pressing upon
them negotiations. seems unwise. There
II nothing in the German reply or the
allies reply to Justify the Senate or
Congress in embarking on the perilous
seas Of negotiations concerning Euro
pean powers and terms OF peace which
concern ire powers alone.
Would Move With Caution.