Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-08-21
WILSON SAYS
SENATEONLY
CAN NENOWAR
Reply to Falls 900 Quer.
les" Denies He Can
Proclaim Peace.

Washington, Aug. 21.-Pres-
ident Wilson has not the power
to declare peace by prOclama-
ton nor could he consent in
any circumstances to take such
a course prior to the ratitica-
ton of a formal treaty OF
peace by the senate. The pres
| ident so wrote Senator Fall to-
day in answer 10 one Of the 20
written questions the senator
presented at the White house
conference Tuesday.
Replying to another question, the
president said the provision of the
| treaty that it should come into
force after ratification by Germany
and three of the principal associat-
ed powers operated merely to es-
tablish peace between those ratify-
ing powers and that it was "ques-
tionabIe whether it can be said that
the League of Nations is in any
true sense created by the associa-
tion of only three of the allied ma
tions and associated governments.
Ratification Only Way Out.
AS to the question of when nor
NAL conditions might be restored,
the president said he could only
express the confident opinion that
immediate ratification of the treaty
and acceptance of the covenant of
the League of Nations, as written
would certainly within the near
future reduce the cost Of living
both in this country and abroad
through the restoration of produc-
ton and commerce to normal.
Treaty Merely "Intrusts."
To Senator Falls questions re-
lating to the disposition of Ger
many's possessions, the president
said the arrangement in the treaty
conveyed no title to the allied or
associated powers, but merely 'fn-
trusts disposition of the territory
question to the decision"
Germany's remuneration in favor
Of the principal allied and asso-
ciated powers" the president con-
tinued, "of her rights and titles to
her overseas possessions is meant
similarly to operate as vesting in
those powers a trusteeship with re-
pect of their final disposition and
government"
Let Pittman Plan Rest.
Democratic senate leaders. ap-
parently divided over the expedi-
ency of the compromise proposal
for peace treaty reservations sep
arate from the ratification, decided
today not to press for action the
resolution of Senator Pittman,
Democrat, of Nevada, embodying
the compromise plan. The impress
sion was given that the measure
probably would be permitted to lie
over indefinitely.
The decision was taken after
Senator Pittman had made it clear
that in introducing the resolution
he acted on his own initiative.
Senator Hitchcock, the admins
tration leader, indicated there
would be no effort on his part to
bring immediate action and Sen
ator Pittman said he was not GER
tain he would call the resolution I
up today.
On Own Initiative.
Senator Pittman made it clear |
that in presenting the resolution |
he simply was carrying out his /
own desire to get action along the |
lIue SuSSeStSu Oy thS pl IL
the White House conference Tues /
day. Other administration senators |
also said they regarded the move /
as taken on Mr. Pittman's own in
itaitive.
While the group Of Republican
led by Senator Nc
Nary of Oregon, indicated they
would stand together for reserva-
tions in final ratification resolution
some of them were not sure that
in the meantime they would not
favor the Pittman plan as step in
= right direction.