The Washington herald., 1919-06-18
Senator Fires Opening Gun
In Battle for Divorce Of
Pact and Covenant.
WARNS OF FILIBUSTER
American People Must Have
Full Publicity and Time
To Consider All.


stand that would deny the Senate
or the American people opportunity
of mature elaboration upon the
league of nations. Senator Knox
yesterday opened the Senate hsht
over his resolution to virtually sep
arate the treaty and the league
covenant.
Would Take Referendum.
Although Senator Knox did not
say so in his speech, he said priv
ately, after II had been concluded.
that he favors a referendum on
the league of nations question and
that his purpose in demanding a
separation of the league from the
treaty is to facilitate the submis-
sion of the entire league matter to
popular vote.
He would welcome any method,
he said, which would bring about
determination of the question by
the people of the United States
rather than by President Wilson
and those with whom he is ssso-
ciated at the Peace Conference.
Dehes Ffiibuster Advoeates-
Knox dehed Democrats in effect
TO nlibuster on his resolution. or TO
attempt to prevent a test vote upon
st.
IT Senators on the other side
continue as a party to oppose al
efforts TO secure full consideration
OF this great matter. II they do not
cease to listen to and TO obey Ihe
mere fat OF a partisan executive. "
they remain firm in their stand
against the constitutional right OF
the Senate fully and fairly to con-
slider this question upon its merits.
and IL they persist in their denial OF
the sovereign right OF the people 10
deliberate upon and reach a decision
concerning tiff this is 40 be the
party attitude Of Senators who op-
pose. then I say here and now. in all
soberness. shall be the last 10
shrink from the issue which they 30
force.
And will say further. II 10 stsni
for the rights OF the Senate as CO.
equal part OF the treaty making power
is a manifestation OF partisanship.
then ] am a partisan: IL TO demand
that the people OF the United States
shall have a right to make US their
/ own minds as to whether or not We
shall put ourselves under the doni-
nation OF the balance Of the world.
then. thank God. / am a partisan.
Senators OF the opposition. YOU may
make this a partisan issue il yoa
choose. but II you do you must pay 20
the American people and to their
posterity throughout all time the pen
atty which they will exact"
Warns of Treaty Delay.
Senator KnoN's speech opened the
debate on his resolution to notify the
Pence Conference that unless the two
/ propositions are separated delay in
the ratification of the treaty will fol-
low. II presented 10 the Senate many
new thoughts on the important con-
sequences involved In the league OF
nations issue. He WAS warmly con-
graduated at its close and was greeted
with applause from the gallery.
Senator Knox will call up the reso-
luton today and thus set in motion
a debate which promises to be one
Of the most notable in the history
of the Senate. The debate H. TO lie
carried on every day. according 10
present plans. and night SESSIONS OF
the Senate are TO be held TO act on
the important appropriation measures.
Declaring his object is to ob,aia
immediate peace for the United state.
and the world. Knox said:
What ] want now to secure l.
what the whole people of the United
states ardeutly wish-peace immeJi-
ate. permanent peace. Six Ions.
weary months have been consume
| by the Peace Conference in Paris
by merely drawing the peace terms
that are to be forced upon our enc
mics. six long. weary months of So
cret quibbling. barterins and quarrel
ing.
| Declares Anarchy Rampant
TO these six months must be added
another during which our crushed ana
fallen enemies have been considering
whether or not at the penalty VI
an invasion ani occupation OF their
country they would sign the treaty
so drawn And still We wait
| Meanwhile Europe is in turmoil.
to the point of anahchy and chaos.
Our own country remains in a
status of war. under iIksome laws
inimical to our freedom. Influences
hostile TO our government and its
institutions thrive and propagate.
Thieves and Bolshevists and anar-
chists feed. fattcn and grow 10
threatening proportions on the fears
of tn. people. The people thcIn-
I selves are torn by unccrtaintie.
and dread and industry and COM
merce lag and wait. We must.
| sir. have peace--a wise and Der.
manent peace. and 20 get this we
CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO.