Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-07-23

Washington. July 22-An ennpha-
tic negative was returned by the Sem
ate Foreign Relations Commute to-
day to President Wilson's request
that it approve provisional appoint
ment Of an American representative
on the International Preparations
Commission without awaiting ratifi-
cation ofthe Peace treaty.
While the president was renewing
his talks with Republican senators at
the White House and the Senate was
beginning another day of speech
making on the treaty, the committee
adopted a resolution declaring that
mo power exists" to execute provi-
sions of the treaty in advance OF its
ratification. This was interpretated
not only as refusing assent to the
appointment but as a declaration
that the president would exceed his
authority should he act independ-
emily.
/ What the president might do in
view of the committe action had not
been revealed tonight but most of his
! advisers predicted that there would
be no appointment for the present.
In making his request. the president
had declared it essential to American
| business interests that the nation be
represented on the commission.
which will have charge of the entire
reparation program to be demanded
of Germany
The resolution was presented by
/ SENATOR Knox, Republican, OF Penn
sylvania. and was substituted by an
eight TO seven vote for another which
expressed no opinion as to the pre-
sidents power to act. In making the
substitution the committee divided
along party lines except that senator
McCumber. Republican, North Dako-
ia, voted with the Democrats IN the
negative.
Later. in the Senate. Senator Moses
of New Hampshire, a Repunllcan
member of the committee, pointed out
| during an address opposing the treaty
that the reparations commission
exercise drastic powers.
In that direction. Senator Lodge
suggested that its powers even might
extend to affecting acts OF war again :
st Germany but which Germany
agreed beforehand should not ne SO
considered.
Senator Moses declared that a
study of the treaty would entirely
refute the claim that the League OF
Nations is Indispensable 70 carry out
the pacification of Europe. most OF
he responsibility having been lodged
IN the Zig Five powers.
In a speech supporting the league
Senator McEary, Republican. on Ore
gon. said he would oppose amend
ments which would send the covenant
back for re-negotiation. though ne
could see no objection to expiana-
tory reservations designed to clarify
its provisions. He asserted that Ar
tlcle 10 must be retained "as the oli-
lar Of the league"
The league also was supported by
Senators Johnson. South Dakota, and
Beckham. Kentucky, Democrats. the
former Q6CldT1uE OLly obJoA
ton was that the covenant did not
20 far enough in forcing maintenance
Of peace and the latter urging that 1t
at least must be given a trial ana
could be perfected later.
The Republicans who saw Presi-
dent Wilson during the day were
Senators Edge. New Jersey Calder
New York, and Cummins. Iowa. The
conferences are understood to have
followed the general lines OF those
Of last week. the President answer
ing many questions about the Yer
sailles negotiations. especially with
regard to Article 10 and Shantung.
senator Calder asked the President
what would be his attitude toward
the suggestion that the United states
limit its negotiations under AArticie
10 to 1921 and the President is IN
derstood to have replied that such
a course would not be in keeping
with the nations duty in the re-es-
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