The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-07-23
NO IS ANSWER TO
PRESIDENT PLEA
FOR AMERICAN ON
PREPARATION BODY
Foreign Relations Commit
tee Adopts Resolution That
No Power Exists to Make
Appointment Pending
Ratification
BY Associated Pros,

Washington, July 22.-An
emphatic negative was re-
turned by the Senate foreign
relations committee today to
President Wilson's request
that it approve provisional APP
pointment of an American
representative on the interna-
lional PREPARATIONS committee
without awaiting ratification
OF the peace treaty.
While the President was renewing his
talks with republican senators at me
White House and the Senate was begin
ming another day of speech making on
the treaty, the committee adopted "a
resolution declaring that no power ex-
lists" to execute provisions of the treaty
in advance of it's ratification. This Was
interpreted not only as refusing assent
to the appointment, but as declaring the
President would exceed his authority
should he act Independently.
What the President might do in view OF
the committee action had not been re-
vealed tonight, but most of his advisors
predicted there would be no appointment
for the present. In making his request
the President had declared it essential TO
American business interests that the ma
ton be represented on the commission
which will have charge of the entire
reparation program to be demanded Oh
Germany.
KNOX OFFERS RESOLUTION
The resolution was presented by SEM
for X Pennsylvania,
was substituted by an eight to seven vote
for another expressing no opinion as u
the President power to act. In making
the substitution, the committee DIVIDED
along party lines except that Senator Nc
Cumber, republican, North Dakota, voted
with the democrats in the negative
Later, in the Senate, Senator Moses OF
New Hampshire, republican member
,-sof the committee, pointed out during az
address opposing the treaty that the
Preparations commission would eonun ue
until 1851 and would exercise drastic
4 powers.
In that connection Chairman Lodge
suggested that it's power even might ex-
tend to effectlng acts of war against Ger
many, but which Germany agreed be-
forehand should not be so considered
Senator Moses declared a study of the
treaty would entirely refute the claim
that the league of nations is indepenslpie
IN carry out the pacificatiUsI of Europe,
most of the responsibility having been
lodged rather in the five big powers.
In a speech supporting the league.
Senator McNary, republican, Oregon, said
he would oppose amendments wnich
would send the covenant back to renego
tiation, though he could see no objection
TO explanatory reservations designed u
clarity its provisions.
is PILLAR OF LEAGUE
He asserted that article ten must DC
retained as 1.-The pillar of the league
The league was also supported by Sena-
tors Johnson, South Dakota, and Beck
ham, Kentucky, both democrats, the FOR
1ner declaring his only objection was tna'
! ~ apoyenant did not go far enough II
~ maintenance of peace and tne
ESurgng that it at least must DC
n.y. e ial and could be perfected later.
25 7Spubiicans who saw President Will
ms the day were Senators Edge
sJ8rsey Calder, New York, ano
fh8 Iowa. The conferences are I'M
to have followed the genera
Whose Of last week, the President
1'x many questions about the Yer
limitations, especially with regard
4en and lShantung.
1eGalder asked the President Wha'
81 his attitude toward the sug-
III III the United States limit its
~ under article ten to 1921. anc
an mt lis Understood to have re
nil such a course would not bt
in With the nations duty in ths
-