The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-05-08
ACTION OF
SENATE ON
PEACE PACT
IS AWAITED
Treaty Ratification May be
Delayed by Opposition to
Inclusion of League of Ma
ton Covenant.
CONTEST IS PREDICTED
(By Associated Press)

WASHINGTON. May 8.-The eyes
of the world today are focused on
the treaty Of Versailles.
Statesmen and diplomats every.
where are turning over the phrases
of the official published summary Of
its terms to form their Opinions.
In the United States the questions
being asked are: How does it affect
America? Will the senate ratify 1t?
Will Germany accept it? Official
Washington, with the President and
the secretary of state in Paris, con-
gress in adjournment and many lead
ers on both sides absent was rather
devoid of authoritative expression on
the first two questions. For the third
the generally accepted opinion seemed
to be that the Germans would accept
the convention, but that 1t might re-
quire economic pressure to bring
about the fulfillment of some of its
terms.
The few congress leaders who were
in the capital were carefully studying
the published summary preparing to
issue their comments in the form of
statements. Some Of these were ex-
pected during the day.
The point seemingly generally ac-
cepted at first glance was that Presi-
dent Wilson has successfully carried
out his determination that the league
of nations covenant should be an in
separable part of the peace treaty and
that the whole document must stand
intact as 1t comes up for ratification
or rejection. OF course, the senate,
might easily in the resolution express
sing its action, make reservations on
any portion which it does not approve.
Would Delay Trade.
Another point which seemed evident
to those who studied the summary
was that the rejection of the treaty
by any single nation would only have
the effect of delaying the restoration
of relations between that nation and
Germany, while nations which do ac-
cept the treaty will enjoy the advant-
age of opening up trade and commerce
with the remnant of the great central
European power. Some observers
were inclined to regard tkis feature
as formidable agency in the hands
Of the President when he urges the
acceptance of the treaty by the United
Z Etates.
The probabilities are that the forces
in congress, for and against the
treaty, will begin to line up and show
themselves within the next few days
and take on a more definite position
as the full text of the record break
ing lengthy document becomes avail.
able.
Quite beside the questions involved
In the league of nations plan will come
the provisions suggesting special ar
rangement by which the United States
and Great Britain would go to the aid
Of France; the clauses which China
protests give her rightful territory to
Japan; the involved and technical sec
tions on which the advice of experts
doubtless will be sought, and score
of other points, all of which promise
to furnish the material for history
making session Of the senate, If not
indeed both houses of congress.
Legislators Arrive.
President Wilson's call for the ex
traordinary session of congress to as
semble on May 10 already Is bringing
the national legislators toward Wash
ington. In the few days before the
session opens, there will be confer
ences of republicans and democrats
some of the former supporting tht
treaty and some of the latter opposing
it which will define the lines on which
the great issue will be fought out. 1
the contest is protracted and othel
nations by accepting the treaty should
resume commercial relations with Ger
many gaining the advantage of trade
a pressure to put the United States IL
position to participate is expected. l
is being pointed out that whether th'
senate ratifies the treaty or not, con
gress san declare the war with Ger
many at an end, II it chooses, by pass
ing a joint resolution to that effect
That action would return the countr
to a peace basis and leave the treat
questions to be fought out
When President Wilson returns t
the United States possibly by tn
first Of June-he will begin what ma
turn out to be the greatest of contest
between the executive and the senate
1t is possible that he may carry hi
case directly to the people before tn
senate has opportunity to act, by NAL
ing a tour through the country speal
ing for the ratification of the treat,
The president originally intended t
do this between his first and secon
trips to France, but he was obliged
alter his program when he had to II
turn to Paris sooner than he expected
The fact that the president faces
republican congress is generally col
ceded to have little to do with th
issue. There has been marked tel
dency of late on both sides to openl
declare the question as nor-partisa
one and 1t is known that the presider
is counting on the support OF some r
publicSns and has already accepted II
opposition of some democrats.