The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-12-07

accepted by our allies, are thrown
overheard by the conference. Take
but one of the many great questions,
the freedom of the SEAS" Nobody
seems to know just. what this means,
but it needs no prophet to know that
Great Britain regards her position as
the dominant sea power Of the world
as matter of life and death.
OF course Mr.. Wilson Is strong be-
cause he speaks for nation that
wants nothing for itself and holds the
purse strings for the world. Yet who
loves the player who comes into the
game late and holds all the big cards2
Who will act as president during
Mr.. Wilson's absence? Opinions diff
fer. G. w. Wickersham, attorney gem
eral in the Taft cabinet, says that the
Constitution makes 1t mandatory upon
Vice President Marshall to act as
president because of the presidents
inability to discharge the duties OF
said Office" @. D. Hilles, former chair
man Of the Republican national com
mittee, says that the Constitution does
not cover the situation, as Ito makers
did not contemplate the absence Of the
president. "The next in llne," he says,
zig the secretary Of state, who is also
going to Europe; then comes the sec
rotary Of the treasury, who has re-
signed" Still, there would seem to
be no cause for worry, as the president
intends to administer the office on
board ship and In Paris. He says
there are no cohsfftutionHT ain j sfis*
and wireless and cable solve the phys
cal problem. Besides, he leaves In
Washington Secretary Of War Baker,
holding him to be the ranking member
Of the cabinet upon the retirement Of
Secretary Of the Treasury McAdoo. y
And what of the United States SEN
ate, "the most august body on earth ?"
Under the Constitution 1t is the duty
Of this august body to serve as adviser
and counselor to the executive au-
thority in the making of treaties and
to act as ratifying body. Certainly
the senate will not do much advising
and counseling; Mr.. Wilson will be
where he cannot be advised and coun-
seled to any great extent. And as to
ratificatlon-the senate fears that
will probably be about the same story.
Mr.. McAdoo's resignation from the
treasury department and from the d.
rectorshlp of railroads Is naturally q
topic Of nationwide discussion, for
the reason that 1t appears to contain
q concealed significance. He says he
quits because the compensation is too
small and his health Is impaired by
Overwork. Some take his statement
at its face value. Others who have
seen in him presidential candidate In
the making, ready to receive the man
tie of succession without fiinching,
think he quits because he does not
care to be identified with what he con
siders the presidents set purpose to
impose government ownership or con
troll on all public utilities In this counl
try. They do not say that he has given
up any presidential aspirations he may
have had. They do say that recent
government action has made the stu
alton so acute that he was compelled
to resign or to remain In Office and
help to formulate policy which he
does not approve. One thing is sure
Mr.. McAdoo's resignation from the
presidents official family has set ths
whole country to discussing govern
ment ownership OF public utilities. /,
is no new question, but 1t is one OF
which the American people have never
passed. They have the right in times
Of peace to be heard on measures
taken In war for the duration of tho
war" They will insist ON being
heard.
1t is understood in Washington tina
Bernard M. Baruch, chairman of thu
war industries board, has been Offered
the post Of secretary Of the treasury.
- -
Change and disorder, II not aetna
fighting, are features Of the European
news. In southeastern Europe a mil
lion Austrian army deserters have es
tablished fortified camps In various
districts; these and hordes of released
prisoners are a menace. From Russit
come reports Of the assassination o.
Admiral Kolchak. dictator of Siberia
at Omsk; the wholesale massacre O
Jews In Warsaw and parts of Galicia
and the massacre by the bolshevikl o.
former Russian officers In PetrGgrad
Polish troops have captured Lemberg
capital of Gallcia, and Poles ant
Ukrainians have declared an arinistlce
looking toward President Wilson al
\ arbitrator. Grown Prince Alexandel
Of Serbia has been appointed regent D
the Jugo-Slav state that Is forming