The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-06-14
Republican Majority in Senate
Playing Into Hands of
Germans
KNOX THREATENS TO
DEFEAT TREATY
Resolution introduced to, Notify
Peace Conference That Treaty
In Present Form is Not Ac-
ceptable. .s.4.s-s..a

Washington, June 10.-The senate
fight over the league of nations was
brought to a more direct issue today
with the Introduction Of resolution
by Senator Knox, Republican, Of
Pennsylvania, proposing that the SEN
ate give formal notice to the peace
conference of opposition to be expect
ed should the peace treaty be submit
ted for ratification in its present
form.
Senator Knox, a member Of the for
eign relations committee and a form
err secretary of state, drafted the
resolution after conference with 9TH
er league opponents and presented it
with the apparent support Of those
who have led in criticism Of the
league covenant. He expected to
crystalize opposition sentiment, as
did Senator Lodge, chairman of the
foreign relations committee, with the
circulation Of the round robin in the
closing hours Of the last senate.
While declaring for immediate con-
ciusion Of a treaty dealing with di-
rect issues Of the war only, the reso-
luton contains far reaching propos-
al which would lay it down as a pol
icy of the American government that
whenever the freedom and peace Of
Europe is threatened the United
States will consider it obligatory to
again cooperate in removal of that
menace.
Decision as to acceptance of mem
bership in the league Of nations
should be left without prejudice to
each nation, the. resolution declares,
for future separate consideration. II
also asserts the lack of authority by
the treaty making power of the gov
zernment to- makesa treaty which. in
effect amends the American eonstitu-
ton.
At Mr.. Knox's request, the resolu-
ton was referred without debate to
the foreign relations committee. He
will attempt to get the committee &C.
ton tomorrow or Thursday and hopes
to bring it up in the senate for con-
sideration by the end Of the week,
the resolution is due to open a new
chapter in the league of nations fgh.
and to develop a debate which may be
even more bitter than that over the
publication of the treaty text.
Except for the reading Of the Knox
resolution, the treaty controversy
came to the surface only once during
the day in the senate. That was when
Senator Pittman, Democrat, Of Ne
yada asked unanimous consent to
psSnt in the record without reading q
speech by Former President Taft ad-
vocating the league. Senator Smoot,
Republican, of Utah, interposed an OBJ
! jection and Senator Pittman then put
in the speech by reading it.
| Meantime, however, there We're
many conferences among senators
over provisions Of the treaty publish
ed in full in today's Congressional
| Record, and foreign relations commit
| tee made plans to resume tomorrow
, its investigation Of how treaty copies
! reached private hands in New York.
OF the six fnancierS the committee
!, had summoned, three, J. P. Morgan
Henry P. Dawson and Frank A. van-
; derlip. sent word they would be ready
!: to appear tomorrow.
The committee arranged for lacg-
er room for the hearing, which is to
be open to the public. The commit
tee is expected to agree tomorrow or
other witnesses to be called later in
| the week.
Thomas ". Lamont, one of the
! final anciers summoned, is said to be in
France, and it is considered unlikely
! that the committee will make q fur
ther effort at this time to have hin,
come to Washington. Another, Jacob
Schiff, asked to be excused because ct
! i'll health, and Paul Warburg had left
New York for Detroit when the sum-
mons arrived and had not replied to-
night.
In comment on the treaty text, put
I into the record after long fight yes
terday by Senator Borah, Republican,
of Idaho. there were three topics
about which interest centered. They
H. ofT bo