Omaha daily bee., 1917-01-03
Republicans O. "SaN .ste in
Matter No>% Il Delayed
BY nsH'T -.ous Consent
\ =, the Senate.
ALLIES REPLY FORWARDED
President Wilson Has Not De-
cided What He Will Do Until
His Message Answered.
KEEPING AN OPEN MIND

reply rejecting the peace proposal of
the central powers was cabled by the
State department today Tor prcscnta-
ton to Germany and the other bel
ligcrent governments whose diplomat
ic interests the United States repre-
scnts at allied capitals. To save time
the cabled English translation was dis
patched from here and Ambassador
Sharp was instructed to forward the
/ French text direct from Paris.
1t was authoritativcly stated today
that President Wilson had not decided
what, if any, further move in the in
terest of peace he might make, but
was keeping an open mind on the sub
ject while waiting for the entente
answer to his note proposing dis
cussion of terms by the belligerents.
No official comment was Forthcoming
on press reports from Paris indicating
that the reply to the president in ef-
feet would be the same as that given
the central powers.
Action Is Delayed.
Discussion Of the advisabiity of leg
islative action approving the course OF
the president in sending his note cccu-
pied the senate for more than an hour
and will be resumed tomorrow. Ac-
! ton was delayed by unanimous CON
sent because republican senators in
sisted that the question was too i'm
portant to be disposed of hastily and
should be considered by the foreign
relations committee.
Particular interest was aroused by a
statement by Senator Stone chairman
Of the resolutions committee. who had
a conference yesterday with Presi-
dent Wilson. In this connection ad
ministration officials took pains to
make clear that the president did not
seek action by congress, though, OF
course, he would not like to see pro-
posal to endorse his policy defeated
Dems Urge Approval.
The discussion began when Senator
Hitchcock's resolution to approve the
note, introduced just before the holi-
day recess, automatically came before
the senate for consideration. Dem
ocratic leaders, including Senator
Stone urged that the resolution
should be passed without delay OF
prolonged debate, in order that the
presidents position might be given
approval by a coordinate branch oil
the government which has authority
in international affairs.
Senator Lodge, the ranking rcpub-
lican of the foreign relations commit
tee; Senator Gallinger, the minority
leader; Senator Borah and other re-
publican senator's insisted that \Sen-
ator Hitchcock consent to let the
matter go to the foreign relations
committee for careful consideration
They did not oppose the purpose OF
the resolution, but expressed the view
that proposed action was fraught
with such International importance
that it should not be acted on without
very careful consideration of all
phases OF the war situation and not
until a senate committee had oppor-
tunity to study the exchanges of bel.
ligerent and neutral governments
which have followed the original
Teutonic note to the entente allies
suggesting discussion OF peace.
There was strong intsmation tonight
that the republicans will insist on a
thorough debate if Senator Hitchcock
persists tomorrow in his demand for
a vote without reference to commit
tee.
Senator Stone declared that the
simple question involved i'll the issue
was whether the senate should en-.
dorsc movement calculated to open
the way for bringing about peace in
Europe. For the senate TO hesitate
now that the resolution confronted
it, he said, would destroy the moral
effect of the proposed endorsement
upon the nations at war.
Views of many republican senators
were epitomized by Senator Lodge
who declared the resolution opened
up very large, grave and important
subject"
Il trust" he added. that it will be
realized that this thing cannot be
rushed through involving, as it does
our relations to all the world"
Hitchcock's Position.
III it is desirable that the senate
should express itself on this impor-
tant matter" said Senator Gallingcr
republican, al think that it should
accept the judgment of the foreign
relations committee in the. matter"
81 have considered that" Senator
Hitchcock replied, but think that
the moral effect ef immediate action
by the senate would be greater, il is
the only legislative body in the world
that has functions and powers relat-
ing to international affairs The sen
ate has reputation and standing in
the world similar if not equal to that
of the president In my opinion, the
senate has a duty to perform. The
president has performed his, Now
that the president has taken this step
with the object and purpose OF show
ing that the United States as great
neutral nation desires the belligercn,
nations to state terms upon which
peace might be reached, surely tho
senate ought to act and act at once II
would not be necessary to involve
the senate in any argument over the
war situation. Our endorsement would
be merely an approval of the request
ior a statement from the belligerents
of the possible terms of peace. In all
these countries there is a growing sen
timcnt toward action looking toward
peace. That will be given a great
impulse if the senate should act"
A resolution similar TO that OF
Senator Hitchcock. was introduced