South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-08-21
DECLARES HE
HAS NO POWER
TO TAKE STEP
President Replies to Queries
PrOpOunded by Sen.
Fall.

Bv United Press
WASHINGTON. .,ug 21.-Re-
plying 10 a series Of written ques-
tions submitted by Sen FAN. New
Mexico Pres't Wilson today de-
clared il his judgment that he has
not the power to proclaim a state
Of peace before the ratification OF
the treaty by the senate
The president in addition to de-
claring that he had no power TO de-
clare peace clearly indicated nc
would not consent 10 take such a
step II he I'D have the power. He
declared that such course would
put a stain upon our national honor
which we never could eface"
The president also says that re-
nunciauon OF territory rights by
Germany does not convey title 10
tile allies. but does put disposition
OF the territory in their names.
The Fall questions were submit
ted al the white house conference
between the president and senate
foreign relations COMMITTEES Tues
day
Sen Falls first four questions.
raised on whether the president had
power 10 declare a state Of peace.
independent of the treaty and re-
sumo business relations. were in line
with his senate resolution calling
for such action.
Falls ffth question was divided
into four parts. whether the League
of Nations is established after
three allied powers and Germany
have ratified the treaty, whether
all provisions OF the treaty are in
full force as 10 such ratifyins
powers: whether as to the two re-
naming powers, particularly the
United States. the state of war
viii terminate. although the par
ucular terms of the treaty itself will
not be in force for such nOn-ratify-
ing powers" and whether such last
powers Will not be members of the
league.
The sixth question was by what
process" Will the immediate adop-
ton OF the treaty and covenant
within the near future or one or
TWO more years reduce rentals, costs
Or necesSa ries, etc.
Falls other questions are explain
ed by the presidents answers.
The presidents letter i'm reply was
written yesterday and reads.
You left yesterday i'm my hands
certain written questions which
promised YOU 7 would answer. I am
Fastening 10 fulfll the promise.
Has Not Power.
--I feel constrained TO say i'm reply
to your first question not only that
i'm my Judgment 7 have not the
power but proclamation TO declare
that peace exists, but that I could in
no circumstances consent To take
such a course prior 20 the ratifca-
zion or a formal treaty of peace.
feel 10 time I'm perfect frankness &c
saw that il would i'm my opinion
put stain upon our national homo
which we never could enaCe II after
sending our mer to the battle field
to fight the common cause We
should abandon cur associates ir
the war i'm the settlement OF the
terms Of peace and dissociate our
selves from all responsibility with
regard 20 those terms.
.T suggest that. having said this
have in effect answered also your
second. third and fourth question;
50 far as I myself am concerned.
Permit me 10 answer your NTH
question by saying that the provi-
sions OF the treaty 20 which you re
fer operate merely 20 establish
peace between the powers ratifying
end thus II Is questionable wheth
er II can be said that the League o'
Nations Is IN any true sense created
I,,- the association Of only three o
the allied and associated govern
ments