The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-11-22
nv DAVID LAwREhcE.)


Was ct on, Nov. 22.--(Copy-
righted for The Chattanooga News)
Efforts to reach a compromise on
a resolution to ratify the peace treaty
are going on during the recess oil
congress. but in the meantime 1t is
pertinent to disclose the view that
prevails in the exec tive branch OF
the government concerning the losses
to the American people in dollars and
cents, as well as moral values, should
the republican majority refuse to
niprornise with the democrats and
thus leave the country without a
treaty Of peace.
First OF oil. the adoption of con-
current resolution by congress de-
claring the war at an end would not
be regarded as legal or of any more
consequence than speech in either
tho house or senate expressing an
opinion that the state of war should
cease.
II the congress. on the other hand,
should adopt joint resolution which
requires the ,presiSents signature,
Mr. Wilson could veto and then two
thirds of both houres would be
needed to make the joint resolution
effective. t
Assuming, however, that the joint
resolutions We're accepted by the pres
dent or that his veto were overrid-
den. 70 that legally the state Of war
Esd been declared at an end. this
would not affect any international
queation. but would apply only to do
site questions such as those that
have BEEN raised within the United
e'stes concerning the coal STRIFE or
the enforcement cf wartime prehihi-
ton or other contracts and obliua-
tions. inolUdinn the aspionace law or
70 tcontrol. which depend on the du-
ration Of the war.
So far as Germany is concerned, a
fnint resolution does not make a
Treaty of reace and not only would
M 'p-agreewent whatsoever he in effect
hctweene the United States; and Ger
F'-tiny. but the latter nawer would he
fs'c.s~1rnder irrferuattonaf law TO re-
'-nrd hnrse1f still. 1ns technically at
war with the United States on all
rgcstions affecting hnr property at
scas. in the United States or else
who're.
f2) Inasmuch as Joint reso-
i'tion bv congress. ever If signed by
re president. cannot take the place
of a treaty Of pe7-e all ~, treaties
18th GERMANY which existed before
-, war would continue to remain
7hrouated and ahsol"telv no pact or
-c.eerent would e~i-+ to cover the
business or financial relations Re-
.~een citizers of TIE United States
ard Germany.
t3 America would he obliged
r"der international law to give back
ail tho German sfins whic'N were in
termed in her harhors during the war
and which have sine become part
ofhthe kmerican' merchant marine,
irTofying manv hundreds Of millions
nf dollars. Whether these ships
''-"nld ho"ome the property of Ger
'''ony or the aslied mowers is doubt
f"l point. hut the in suitable fact is
lat America would have to surren-
Gnr them.
az Hundreds of millions of
collars claims already filed by
america not only on behalf of the
fusitania victims. hut on behalf Of
norsonS whose property has been in
'iired by the war; coul' not he COL
looted. for the simple reason that
america would have no agreement TO
that effect and would cot possess the
mower, short of war, to force the col
lection. -.,.,.....,.-.
(5) Germany could retain all
American property In Germany and
could demand under international
law the return of the pronerty of her
nationals in America seized by the
alien property custodian. This
reaches into manv industries and
businesses throughout the United
States. as was revealed during the |
war.
(6) Perhaps the most important
consequence Of a failure to have any
treaty with Germany and to rely on
a joint resolution Of congress is the |
absence Of American participation in
the reparations commission.
That body is to be the most impor- |
tant business or financial body ever
created in the world. 1t will have the !
say over the entire commerce of Ger
many, just where she shall buy or
Z sell, and just how she s, Ill pay. That |
power arises under the treaty be- |
cause of the desire of the victorious |
allies to collect as much as possible !
in money to pay the enormous in
demnity demanded by the allied peo-
pies for losses sustained in the war. |
The reparation commissioners will
virtually be receiver over g. Germany's |
assets and the opportunity to play !
favorites or rather discriminate |
against the commerce of the United |
States or to form combinations to COM
pell Americans to sell their goods at |
such low prices as to enable the allied |
commissioners to make money at the !
expense of American trade would be in
the hands of the European members of
= the reparations commission and Ameri-
ca would be outside the commission al
together.
(7) Some day the business men OF
America, especially those interested In
the sale Of cotton and other commodi. |
ties to central Europe, would wake up
to a realization that before an Ameri-
can could sell goods in Europe he
would practically have to get on the
right side OF the reparations commits
sloners of other countries and to do all
his bargaining with Germans through I
them, and Il is unquestionably true
that they would have products Of their
own to safeguard any transactions OF
. their own people to advance.
If America were member or the
reparations commission. as provided
under the treaty. her representative not
only would sit in all meetings and have
an equal voice. but her own decisions
would be subject to the jurisdiction OF
the congress of the United States,