Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-11
As to Second Proposition.

Discussing the second proposition
at the outset, 1t is declared that Sena-
tor Knox has provided a way of dis
sociating the league OF nations from
the treaty of peace proper. He pro-
vides, as follows:
And that any indispensable par
ttcfpation by the United States in
nant shall. pending the entry of the
United States into the league, be &C.
complfshed through diplomatic COM
missions. which shall be created with
1uu power In the premises"
~ VIII be recalled that President
wilson. IN his speech in New York
on the eve of sailing for France the
second time, announced that the cove
nant OF the league would be SO inter-
woven in the treaty of peace that the
two could not be separated. Senator
Knox, II was said by senators TO-DAY
simply lifts out of the treaty the func-
league of nations and delegates their
performance to commissions, pending
the subsequent creation of a league Of
nations.
See Answer to Threat.
!. Senator Knox has thus furnished
a plan by which postponement Of ac-
ton upon the league does not mill
tate against an early peace, sena-
tors contend that he has answered the
iESoiucut IHTSdt TO SO Involve the
two that they must stand or fail to-
gecher and has cleared the way for
a discussion of the covenant Of the
league upon its merits. by Unaffected
which might otherwise obtain.
In other words, that the Senate can
consider at leisure the most profound
~ important document affecting this
the Declaration Of Independence. with
{ out being harassed by a lot of i'm
porters and exporters and bankers
ciamos ing for immediate restoration
OF trade With Germany.
Senator Knox's resolution. II adopted.
it's supporters say, would smash the
big stick" which President Wilson
would otherwise hold over the Senate
elbow from impatient public opinion,
eager for peace and the resumption Of
trade and business.
League Not Made Issue.
Senators point out that all through
Senator Knox's resolution there In not
only careful ab9tention from expression
indeed there is found the broad intima-
ton that the plan Is to have careful con-
sideration. Stress Ii laid upon the point
that the league Of nations 70 in no way
made an issue: 1t IL merely put over
for mature deliberation.
This resolution IL expected to appeal
TO democrats as well aS republicans in
the Senate. for it is well known that. in
addition to the few democrats who have
openly avowsd their opposition to the
take exceptions to this or that clause Of
the covenant. but who would probably
submerge their views and refrain from
opposing ratification in the face Of presi-
Dental insistence that failure to ratify
viii delay the blessing Of peace declared.
Careful analysis Of the resolution. II Is
commended by those who favor 1t. fails
to dtsciose any partisan tinge. nor can 1t
be charged with being aimed at the
President or tending to produce or pro-
long anything approaching feud be-
tween tho Senate. and the President.
Upon this point IL II insisted that the
dividing line between the respective
functions Of the Senate and the Presi-
Gent I'm treaty-making. and insists upon
tho strict observance Of the duties OF
each without interference from the
other.
Would Avoid Partisan Heat.
n is the sincere wish Of many demo-
Gratis and many republicans that the
covenant Of the league Of nations may
he considered in an atmosphere free
from partisan heat, as the profound
sravity Of the case In their opinion de-
mands. Senators now say that there
rre many Indications Of a change of
Iublic opinion upon the covenant; that
the Landslide" for II. which was dis
cerned by many during the recess be-
tween the two sessions has not started
to slide and that the people arc be-
ginning to devote more thought to the
covenant and to analyze 1t more care
fully. with the result Of changing views.
The last clause Of the resolution Is a
repetition Of a resolution offered by
Senator Knox early in the last session
and which has been favorably COM
mented upon In the press. II declares
the policy Of the United States to be
that In event Of any European nation
precipitating a crisis such as the one
which brought the United States into the
late war this government viii. upon
such occasion. do as il did with Ger
many-take means to protect its own
interests BY force Of arms and alliance
with whichever European power Is de-
sfrAble in the circumstances. In brief
II declares to wouldbe belligerents
Don't start ANYTHING to dfSturb the