Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-11

European governments are concerned, the
man sitting across the table IL the Presi-
dent Of the United States and as such
the ambassador or plenipotentiary who
has the power to sign or not whatever
documents are presented to him. So fas
as Europe Is concerned. he is the United
States government just as much as any
ambassador in any foreign country has
been or is.
Say He Will Not Surrender.
And the President, according to his
friends here. will not surrender. will
not recede, will not give way an inch
to the republicans who, he believes
have abandoned the traditional
American doctrine of having party
politics end at the seacoast and have
him irrespective Of the consequences
to the prestige Of the United States
Unquestionably many senators imag-
inc, because Mr.. Wilson'S domestic ad-
ministration has aroused widespread
discomfort, the people are ready te
repudiate his foreign policy. too
They think because Of the Irish agita-
support the republicans and that the
Italian-Americans will likewise be
sympathetic.
The republican leaders. it is admit.
ted even by their opponents. are play
ing the shrewdest anc most adroi'
game that has been played In many
year in Washington. The Knox reso
luton was not hastily drawn. It Wal
intended to catch as many classes Of
opinion as possible. First, II would
corral all the out-and-out opponentl
Of a league of nations. Second, II
would draw those who favor a league
but who certainly could have no OBJ
lection to further consideration, be.
cause the Knox resolution recites tina,
the people have not had time enough
to consider 1t. The prospect y held
out Of favorable judgment In che IN.
that is equivalent to the dessa4 Of tb<
league, for IL II IL not set up at the
peace table it probably never vii
amount to any more than the emascu-
lated Hague conventions and declara'
ton of London.
Of oppression Of the weak and trans
erosion of human liberties BY the
peace treaty itself. thus inviting to
the side OF the republicans tho many
liberals and radicals in the United
States and abroad who believe there
are vital flaws in the document drawn
at Versailles. Fourth. the Knox reso-
luton endeavors to satisfy France
and Great Britain BY declaring in
favor of the substance OF the ob1iga-
lions imposed on Germany and prom
Using military and naval support In
case Germany or any other power be-
comes a menace to Europe.
Would Likely Pass Today.
II the Knox resolution came to 4
vote today. It would come near passing.
The Senate Is very close anyway be-
tween the two parties-forty- mine re-
Senator Reed would vote with the re.
publicans and possibly Senator Gore
of Oklahoma would do the same. The
democrats might count on Senators
Of North Dakota and Nc
Nary Of Oregon, two republicans. who
feel that the sentiment Of their states
favors a league Of nations.
and outside the Senate in the United
States may change the situation. es-
pecially after the debate 10 under
way. II Germany refuses to sign the
treaty and takes advantage Of the
delays interposed by the Senate OF
the United States would cause many
republican senators to change their
tactics. II the Germans sign the
treaty. and the President puts his sig
nature to it, there will be no oppor-
tunity to separate the peace treaty
ana led8u u HdAlohDs - IHS ISpSO-
licans desire. but Mr.. Wilson will
oring the document back In person
and address the Senate.
The republicans have not counted
on what arguments Mr.. Wilson might
bring back from Europe or what the
effect Of his speeches may be on
American public opinion. They are,
however. taking a chance. ~ all poll
ticians do. in the hope that the breaks
of the game will be their way. that
the Germans and allies will get In
such q mix up still that the Senate
will have time to bring pressure to
bear on the Paris conferess to change
the treaty to meet objections. So far
as Mr.. Wilson IL concerned, he 10 rep
resented rs having considered the re-
publican criticism shortly after HIS
return to Europe and to have embed
led a safeguard Of the Monroe doc
trine and other changes. which, II
the time. were believed to be sought
by the republicans. Now Senators
Knox and Lodge have reverted to
their original position Of wanting to
separate the peace treaty and cove
nant and throw the creation Of the
whole league of nations machinery
into the indefinite future.
Copyright. 1919. By N. Y. Evening Pest, Inc