New-York tribune., 1918-12-04

the two nations in the league shall
control shall be denied to her, and in
that way we can keep peace in the
world for one hundred years, if we
only have the courafge to do it. That
is what Woodrow Wilson is going to
Europe for"
This statement was made by Mr..
Williams at the end of long speech
defending the President from a sharp
attac by Senator Sherman, of Illinois.
resolution, introduced yesterday, de-
claring the office Of President vacant
and instructing Vice President Mar
shall to assume the duties Of the
President until Mr.. Wilson should re-
turn.
Knox Opposes Plans
Senator Knox, former Secretary of
State, introduced to-day a resolution
which would voice the opposition of
the Senate to the peace conference
about to convene passing upon any
such question as the League of Ma
tions or the freedom Of the seas. 1t
declares that the peace conference
ought to end the war and restore the
cid international laws of the sea and
land, the violation Of which by Ger
many brought on this war.
Senator Sherman's speech, to the
surprise of his colleagues on the Dem
ocratic side, was much milder than his
usual attacks on President Wilson and
the Democratic party. Most of his dis
I cuSsion to-day was on the legal and
constitutional aspects of the absence
from the country of the President He
caused much amusement when he said
that the fathers, in writing .he Con
stitution, had sought to protect the
President from the wiies and batteries
of courtiers and court ladies.
"The intention Of those who wrote
the ConstitutionXswas to guard the
President" he ss against the in
sidious influences and fattery incident
to the servile adulation and absurd
pomp of the kings and council cham
bers of the Old World.
American Atmosphere Lost
amid crowns and "reminiscences of
ancient thrones, with profound defer
ence yielded by diplomats grown gray
in Europe's Quarrels, who see CEN
turies beyond their generation, the
American atmosphere is lost, and
"a courter's smile and the bending
knee of a sycopant have entangled a
nation in fatal alliance. A kiss of g
sensuous woman has changed the
court of empire. Mafk Anthony is
not the only susceptible official whose
Ja1-t OF he
line of duty swayed by Egypt's daugh-
ter. The savory fragrance of incense
offered by alien satellites may mount
with intoxicating power to a head al
J ready strangely obscessed with the
, phantasy that he has become The
state
Most Of Mr.. Sherman's address, how
ever, was more technical and legal il
its consideration of the impossibilit
Of President performing his consti
tuition duties while 5000 miles away.
Attacks Are Toned Down
The Republican leaders are soft
pedalling attacks on the President wit
all their power, pointing out to thei
2 colleagues that the country will inter
pret resentment and bitterness whc
so many Senators feel against tn
President for ignoring the House 0
Congress, with whose "adveee and cor
f sent under the Constitution the Pres
dent shall negotiate treaties, for par
!. tisan campaign material.
U The Republican leaders point ou
3 that it is perfectly proper to discus
t the various phases of the peace situa
ton as they develop, and Republica
Senator'S intend to discuss them, bu
they do not want a yolley Of orator
Q Of an apparently partisan nature, whic
f will give the country an impression
8 partisanship, and may possibly driv
Q line behind their President.
!, This view was strongly expressed x
d day BY Republican Leader Mann
= the House in q public statement, viii.
9 leaders Of tho party in the Senate toe
q precisely the same view.