Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1919-08-26
TREATY FIGHT IN
CONGRESS IS BITTER
HOW FAR THE PRESIDENT WILL
GO is NOW THE SUBJECT
OF. INTEREST.
WILSON HOLDS WHIP HAND
If Pact Is Amended, Next Move VIII
Be Up TO Chief Executive-He
Might Co to Paris

Washington.-How far President
Wilson may go in his fight for I'M
qualified senate acceptance of the
peace treaty is a subject of ncreas-
ing speculation in official and dip
lomatic circles. With the group OF
republicans determined to write their
qualifications of the league of nations
covenant into the ratification itself
and with republican leaders predict
ing that the senate will amend out
right the Shantung provision and per-
haps other sections of the treaty, an
interesting set of possibilities present
themselves.
There has been on authoritative ex-
preston of the presidents probable
course should the treaty be returned
to him with teXtual amendments or
reservations written into the ratifi-
cation He told the foreign rela-
lions committee, however, that he
would consider either method of quail
ification as tantomount to a reopen
ing the negotiations with Germany.
Next Move Up to Wilson.
Should such amendments or reser-
vations be inserted, therefore, the
next move would be up to the presi-
dent A discussion of what he would
be authorized to do under the law
and presidents reveals a general
agreement that several courses would
be open.
Summed up, these discussions con-
template that he might take up the
question of changes in the treaty by
diplomatic correspondence; return to
Paris and ask that the peace con-
ference be reassembled for negotia-
ton of new treaty; send a new del
egation to reopen negotiations or
pocket the treaty and refuse to pro-
coed further unless the senate reced-
ed from it's position.
Alternative Has Been Suggested.
1t is known that the alternative of
an exchange of diplomatic notes with
the principal powers has been sug-
gested to the president as the most
feasible by republican senators who
have told him that the treaty never
could be ratified as it stands
Wilson Could Halt ParIeys.
Administration leaders repeatedly
, have declared that the president
alone was charged with the negotia-
ton of treaties and that the whole
history of the treaty making showed
he could halt any such negotiations
at any step he desired prior to the
exchange of notifications. The senate,
these leaders have asserted, would be
absolutely powerless to interfere, its
authority under the Constitution be-
ing limited to giving advice and con
sent to the acts of the executive.
May End War by Resolution.
Should President Wilson adopt that
course and then appeal to. the coun.
try, republican senators say the sen.
ate would adopt "a resolution declar.
ing the war at an end and proceed to
enact such legislation as seemed nee
essary to restore a complete peace
basis. Whether such resolution
would require the presidents sigma
ture is a disputed question, however
and Mr.. Wilson is known to object
strongly to any such method of end
ing the war.
The problem of the president.
course also involves a question Of
how great an influence he will ex
ercise while the treaty still is before
! the senate to prevent reservation.
| from being Incorporated in the ratifi
, cation.