The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-06-09
G. O.P. Leaders Consider Treaty
Between e. s. and Germany.
Opposition to League of Ma
tiOns May Cause Move.
MAY BE RACE TO RATIFY PACT
Hold Separate Peace Would
Omit Entangling Alliances.
Say Congress Has Power
Talk of Lengthy Filibuster.

Washington, June 9.-Republican
leaders in the senate are giving serious
thought to the possibilities of a sep
arate peace between the United States
and Germany.
Tho none of them would voice his
view today for publication, it can be
stated that they are fully aware that
one result of senate opposition to the
league of nations covenant and the
treaty may be a separate peace.
Race TO Raufy.
They foresee an attempt to create
race between allied nations and
the senate to ratify the treaty, which
specifically provides that it shall be-
come valid when ratified by three of
the allied or associated powers. That
is, if England, France and Italy-all
bound not to make separate peace
should ratify the treaty before the
senate does, it would end the war so
far as those nations are concerned and
allow them at once to resume COM
mercial relations with Germany.
The United States, however, as the
senators view it, would be left with a
state of war with Germany still in
existence. and the other nations given
a head start on resumption of business
dealings.
That this possibility will be en-
phasized to the senate, Republican n
senators have no doubt. They are not
disturbed by it, however, declaring
they see no calamity in it.
Lies With Congress.
Congress declared war on Germany,
and can quite as easily declare the
war ended, in these senator's opinions.
Then by a separate treaty of amity
| of commerce, relations could be re-
suned.
a4o y;
\ as these senators see it, is that il
would leave the United States free OF
| entangling European alliances. Since
the United States does not share and
| has no desire to share in the terri
| torial OF money gains of the allies
1 there is no reason, in the belief o1
some Republicans, why a treaty set
lthfig Just Americas quarrel with Ger
maSay, Shouldn't be drawn up.
This course would defeat American
| participation in the league of nation:
| unless the senate, voting on it sepa
rately from the treaty now being com
pleted should agree to join the allie!
in forming it, they hold.
May Stage Fflibuster.
Whether they are willing to go t.
this length to defeat the league, thes,
| Republican senators declined at thi
time to say, tho they are all hostile t.
it. If they should adopt this course
it was pointed out, a filibuster unit
i three other powers have ratified TIL
treaty, would be all that would b.
needed
| However, some senator's believ
ratification will not be immediate il
some of the allied countries. In al
but England. they said. the treat.
must be submitted to the Legislative
body, tho in none does its ratification
carry the weight the senate's does
Even in England, where the crown i
not obliged to submit treaties, it ha
been announced the present treaty i
to be laid before the house of com
mons. Dissatisfaction is bound t
cause considerable debate in all tn
foreign countries, senators believe
thus justifying the deliberate cours
they intend to pursue here.