The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1919-08-26
FIGHT ON TREATY
FAR FROM END
President Thinks Neither He Nor
Congress Can Declare War at an
End.

promise proposal to have the senate
adopt peace treaty reservations but
keep them separate from the. ratifi-
cation itself was put aside indefini-
5ely *od:":y S2tec Democratic leaders
had declined to assume responsibility
for it, and Republicans of all shades
of opinion had given notice they
could not accept it.
Among the Republicans the devel-
opment was interpreted as meaning
that action never would be sought
on the proposal in it's present form
and Democratic leaders generally
said they had no plans for bringing
it to vote.
Meantime White House an
nouncement and an executive Session
of the foreign relations committee
brought to the surface again two
other issues Of the treaty fight.
President Wilson, replying to a
suggestion that he might put the
country on peace basis by declar-
ing the war at an end, announced
that he not only considered himself
-powerless to take such a step, but
considered a peace declaration either
by himself or congress prior to rati-
fication of the treaty would 'sput "a
strain upon our national honor" by
evading responsibility in the world
peace settlement.
Committee in Argument.
The foreign relations committee
got into another argument over
prompt committee action on the
treaty which ended by a decision
without a record vote, to continue
its hearings to receive the cases of
the Irish, Greek, Egyptian, Lithuan-
ian, Ukrainian, Esthonian and Let
1ish races.
In every Democratic quarter, in
cluding the White House, it was in
dictated that the compromise propos-
al as presented yesterday in a reso-
luton by Senator Pittman Of Ne
vada, a Democrat of the committee,
was not specifically sponsored by
the president, though it followed
generally the lines Of his suggestion
to the committee Tuesday regarding
reservations.
Senator Pittman issued state
ment saying the president had no
knowledge of the resolution and Sen
ator Hitchcock Of Nebraska, the ad-
ministration leader, indicated that in
no sense was the move to be consid-
cred as inspired by the administra:
aion. There was no formal express
sion from the White House. q
In his statement Mr.. Pittman said
his idea in presenting the measure
was to expedite action on the treaty:
He insisted that he would, ask for ac-
ton later. He argued that accep-
,.tance Of the reservations proposed
could, be gained from the nations
whoswill control the league of ma
sions council. thus making it possible
so ratify the treaty with the assur-
anee that the disputed sections OF
the covenant will not be interpreted
to, the disadvantage, Of this country.
There was increasing evidence dur
ing the day, however that the group
of Republicans who have agreed on
reservations similar to those in the
Pittnan resolution, would. ! withhold
their approval from any plan not con-
tenplating inclusion Of the qualifica-
tions in the ratification itself. Repub-
9ican leaders said they were ready
for a vote today if the Democrats
wanted to bring the resolution to a
roll call.
S President Answers Questions.
Presidents Wilson's announcement /
of his stand against peace declara-
st;ian Was made in letter to Senator !
Fall, Republican, New Mexico,< in re-
ply to list of questions submitted +,
by the latter. At the same time Mr..
Wilson explained the treaty provi- !
sion turning over the German colo
H. &c =. ..s five powers, by saying
it vested only trusteeship over the
colonies pending permanent ar
rangement for their government. A
provisional agreement in the matter
had been reached, he said, but it was
contingent on the league of nations. !
b 'QNe president wrote that it was ;
deemed wise to have American repre-
sentatives in various boundary COM
missions because it would add "a use
ful element of entirely disinterested /