New-York tribune., 1919-03-19
LenrOOt Sees
'SDrawn War"
Over League
Says Congress May Pass
Resolution Ending Con-
flict Without a Treaty

WASHINGTON, March 18.--lf Presi-
dent Wilson does not negotiate a peace
treaty satisfactory to the Senate, SEN
ator Lcnroot, of Wisconsin, Repub-
lican, said in an address on the league
of nations before the Washington Com
mcrcial Club here tonight, Congress
may pass joint resolution summarily
ending the war with Germany without
treaty, leaving American participa-
tion in the league of nations to future
determination.
Senator Norris, of Nebraska, one of
the few Republican Senators who re-
fused to sign the round robin opposing
the league draft. also came out against
the proposed draft. He pointed out
complications which might involve the
United States if Canada should assert
her independence of Great Britain.
Brazil, Mr. Norris pointed out, might
become involved in war with Great
Britain, in which case Canada might
seize that opportunity to assert her in
dependence. Then the United States
would be put in the position of fighting
Brazil and Canada or abrogating the
treaty binding this country to the
league.
Favors General Idea
Senator Lcnroot declared he favored
the general plan of the league as pro-
posed, but would not be cocrced into
voting for the constitution as now
drawn without amendment.
Asserting that the United States to-
day is in "a most critical situation,"
with American principles and ideals
endangered by the plans for the league,
Senator Lenroot continued:
1--WE are told that the President will
not permit peace with Germany unless
there is made as part of the peace
treaty the constitution OF the league
as drawn IN large part by Great Brit
ain We arc told that this ~i!l be
done to force the Senate 70 accept
without amendment this British con-
stitution, revolutionizing our govern
ment and its foreign and lofnestic pol
icies. In other words, the Senate is
to be cocrced to do something which
it otherwise would not d., and public
opinion in America is thus TO be
coerced into demanding ratification.
"In my judgment, President Wilson
has once more misjudged the temper
of the American people and the Senate.
I will not be coerced into voting for
the constitution of the league, and I
am sure the Senate will not be. The
proposed constitution will be con-
sidered upon its merits regardless of
whether it is coupled with the peace
treaty or not If the constitution
should not be amended to protect and
safeguard the interests of the United
States, the Senate will propose such
amendments as it may deem neces-
sary."
Club Stuffed With Straw
Senator Lenroot said "the supposed
club over the Senate of postponing
peace is stuffed with straw" adding:
at does not seem to have occurred
to the President that if he is not will
ing to negotiate treaty of peace salts
factory to the American people Con-
gress may itself, and undoubtedly will,
pass a joint resolution declaring the
war with Germany terminated, The
Constitution clothes Congress with the
power of declaring war, and the body
that is given this power unique estionably
has the power to terminate the war.
Germany is whipped. We are ask
ing for no annexation, no indemnities.
We have accomplished the purpose we
had when we declared war and while
it would be desirable to have a formal
treaty of peace with Germany it is not
necessary.
"We can declare the war has ended
and go on about our business, and I
confidently predict that this is what
will be done if the treaty is not rati-
fled by the Senate. The proposed
league of nations will then have to be
considered separately il il is consid-
Continued on page three