Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-11-21
Would Affect Home Questions.

resolution were accepted by the Pres
den SO that legally the state of war
had been declared at an end, this
would not affect any international
question. but would apply only to do
mestic questions, such as those that
have been raised within the United
States concerning the coal strike or
the enforcement Of wartime prohibi-
ton or other contracts and ebliga-
lions, including the espionage law or
food control. which depend on the
duration of the war. So far as Ger
many is concerned, a joint resolution
by Congress does not make treaty
of peace. and not only would no
agreement whatsoever be in effect be-
tween the United States and Germany,
but the latter power would be free
under interna tienal law to regard
herself still as technically at war
with the United States on all ques-
tions affecting her property at sea
or in the United States, or elsewhere.
Second, Inasmueh as Joint resolu-
tion by Congress. even il signed by
the President, cannot take the place
of q treaty OF peace, all the treat es
with Germany which existed before
the war would continue to remain
abrogated and absolutely no pact or
81
business or financial relations be-
tween citizens OF the United States
and Germany.
under International law 70 give back
all the German Ships which were in
termed in her harbors during the war
and which have since become q part
of the American merchant marine, in
vo1ving many hundreds OF millions of
dollars. Whether these ships would
1rof S,yp
the allied powers IL a doubtful point,
but the indfspusable fact il that
America would have to surrender
them. 49,
Fourth! Hundreds Of millions Of dol
lars Of claims already fled by Amer
lica not only on behalf of the Lusita.
mia victims, but on behalf OF persons
whose property has been injured by
the war, could not be collected for
the simple reason that America would
have no agreement to that .sffect and
would not possess the power short OF
war to enforce collectibns. -.
Fifth. Germany could sItetain al
American property in Germany and
could demand under intePnationa hw
/ the return Of the property OF her ma
property custodian. This reaches into
many industries ana businesses
Throughout the United Status. as was
revealed during the war.
Most Serious Consequence.
Sixth. Perhaps the most important
consequence Of failure to have any
treaty with Germany and to rely on a
Joint resolution Of Congress Is the
absence OF American participation in
the reparations commission. That
body is to be the most important bust
ness or financial body ever created in
| the world. It will have the say over
! the entire commerce of Gerlnany--iust
lwhere she shall buy, or sell, and just
| how she shall pay. That power arises
under the treaty because OF the desire
of the victorious allies to collect as
much as possible in money to pay the
! enormous indemnity demanded by the
allied peoples for losses sustained in
| the war The reparation commission
ers will virtually be receivers over
Germany's assets, and the opportunity
| to play favorites, or rather to discrim-
| mate against the commerce of the
| United States or to form combinations
| to compel Americans to sell their
| goods at such low prices as to enable
| the allied commissioners to make
| money at the expense Of American