New-York tribune., 1919-08-30


beyond the bounds of wise statesman.
ship" and kill the goose that laid the
golden eggs"
The German Indemnity
Discussing the German indemnity
Senator Knox said:
| TIE thought has been entc ed
that the treaty fixes. at least tentative
~, tie German indemnity under these
rules at l2C.co0. 1000 gold marks
about $4,000. .U00 ,0U0-but such an idea
is not justified.
I'm the first place, Germany agrees
in addition to the sum named, to pay
Belglum's s debt to the Allies and asso-
clated powers. whatever the debt may
be. This payment is to be considered
restoration.
I'm the next place, the treaty stipu-
latcs that the $4,000 900 900 worth OF
gold bonds which Germany undertakes
to issue is to cover whatever part OF
the full amount of the approved claims
! Is not paid in gold, or in ships, sccuri-
ties and commodities or otherwise
Ihus, the total values of all the mate
rails to be turned over as heretofore
mentioned seem quite clearly to be in
addition to this $24 1000 000, 900 of gold
bonds.
Moreover, it is provided that fur
ther issues (of bonds) by way of &C
acknowledgement and security may be re-
CURED as the (reparation) commission
subsequently, determined from time to
time
$50 that the bill against Germany
will clearly not stop at S24 900, 900 600
and may run to any amount.
Labor Provisions Harmful
"As to that part Of the treaty which
deals with labor, shall now merely
say: Either it will never be enforced
as drawn, and perhaps was never in
tended to be enforced as drawn, but to
be merely q sop thrown TO labor, or if
enforced as written and in the spirit
wreck the world. 1t compels the class
antagonism between capital and labor
which wisdom requires that we lessen,
not increase, if we are to remain a free
people, and makes possible an ultimate
interference of foreign nations in our
labor disputes at the instance of resi-
dents of our own country.'
After pointing out that the United
States, through participation in a
large number of commissions, is
bound to take an active part in the
administration of many of the economic
arrangements which he condemned,
Senator Knox contnued
"Mr. President. the more I consider
this treaty the more l am convinced
that the only safe way for us to deal
with it is to decline to be a party to
it at all. I think we should renounce
IN favor of Germany any and all claims
for indemnity because Of the war and
see that She gets credit for what we
renounce, as indeed she should for the
value OF all she gives up as against a
fixed and ample indemnity. agree
with the President when he says the
indemnity should have been a fixed
amount
1--WE ought to renounce all participa~
tion or membership in commissions.
committees, boards or otherwise pro-
Vlded for in the treaty in aid of its
execution to which by its terms we are
parties. We ought not to accept ccs-
slons OF German territory We ought
to declare general policy to regard
with concern any threat of disturbance
OF general world peace, but at the same
time we should reserve complete liberty
of action, either Independently or in
conjunction with other powers, in tax
ing such steps as we determine wise
for preserving the peace. We ought
then to carry out the spirit OF the act
OF 1916, which authorized the President
together to establish code Of inter-
A@t.nnal law, rcduce armaments, to es-
tabhsh an international tribunal and
go as far as possible in the direction Of
securing peace through justice, through
icague 10 winch ali the world are
parties IN its formation Tins would
be httlng. generous and dignilied
exit from situation in which primarily
we had no direct concern.
ut is indeed q hard and cruel peace
that this treaty stipulates, and | have
no objections to its being SO, but see
no reason why we, who do not partake
IN ITS spolls, should become parties
to Its harshness and cruelty. see no
reason why we should be parties to i'm
posing upon Germany a treaty whose
terms, our negotiators say, she viii
not be able to meet; treaty that robs
our ancient friend, China, in a wav
dlsapproved by our ncgotiators: a
treaty that lays the foundation for
centuries Of blood letting. into which
we should not be drawn; a treaty that,
contrary to Our own Judgment, fails to
TX the amount Of indemnity to be
Paiu' leaving that vast question to the
"him OF majority Of q commission
on rcparatons; d treaty predicatod
upon the assertion that a stricken and
helpless world requires our counsel
and support, but leaves to the bene-
lclaflcs the decision as to the measure
ana character Of the bencfactions they
are to receive; treaty that with ON
nous words prcsages our involvment
III lhe eruDtlons OF suppressed volcanic
world conditions; a treaty that would
require us to underwrite all the ro-
glonal understandings between nations
recognized by the league, most of
winch arc based upon oppression Of
weaker nations, many of which are as
yet secret and undisclosed, and when
disclosed might drive us to acts Of in
Justice similar to that in which the
PRESIDENT felt himself compelled to
acqu esce in the case of Shantung.
The mind stands appalled, and re-
fuses to grasp the infinite possibilities
which arise from the ramifcations Of
the obligations we arc asked to as
sumo Looking at the treaty as a
whole, is it to be wondered at that we
are asked to guarantee BY our arms
and our resources the territorial status
which it creates?
Nothing in all our history, sir, has
called Tor clearer perception of pres
ent and future, q keener or juster un-
derstandng OF our free institutions. a
clearer vision Of the mighty mission
OF our great nation in the world or
the dedication Of purer and loftier
! patriotism than the consideration of
/ this treaty.
Unless, sir, we shall have the guild
ance OF the Infinite wisdom we shall
IAN IN our duty, and, wrecking our be-