, 1919-03-13

leaders would have permitted the pas
sage of some of the bills, especially
that adding $75O,OOO 900 to the revolv
ing fund for railroad administration.
Two measures hat did get through in
the last hours were the Victory loan
and billion dollar wheat guarantee
bills. The purpose of the filibuster
was to compel the president to call
the new congress in extra session in a
short time, and so urgent are nan of
the measures that failed of passage
that 1t seems likely he will have to
yield to the demand. When he left
America, however, he appeared as de-
termined as ever not to summon con-
gress until his return. His statement
to the public, scoring the obstruction
lists, was rather unfortunate. The peo-
pie read:
"It Is not in the interest Of the
right conduct of public affairs that I
should call the congress in special ses-
sion while 1t is impossible for me to be
in Washington, because of a more
pressing duty elsewhere, to cooperate
with the houses"
Then they Immediately recalled Mr..
Wilson's statement before his depar-
ture for France last December, hat
legislation could go forward unim-
peded in his absence and that he could
keep constantly in touch with congress
by cable and wireless.
1t Is the presidents own opinion
that the failure of emergency legisla-
ton will seriously upset financial con-
ditions, and because there is general
agreement on this it is predicted the
extra session of congress will be called
not later than in May. There is no
likelihood of Mr.. Wilson's being back
by that time, for he has announced his
intention of remaining abroad until the
work of the peace congress is COM
pleted.
At first it was thought the failure of
the appropriation for the railway ad-
ministration would result in the almost
immediate return of the roads to their
former owners, though this is desired
by neither the owners nor the general
public. Director General Hines stated
later that a new plan of financing the
situation would be devised that an
effort would be made to prevail on the
railroads and other business interests
to borrow money necessary to enable
the administration to go forward with
its railroad plans and that in no case
would he e~ountenance Il policy which
would slow down industry or throw
men out of employment. The director
general also declared that there is no
occasion to discuss the question of re-
linquishment of the railroads"
The fact remain hat the railroads
must nave at least S7OO. 0OO. 900 before
May 81, and IL they are forced to Dor
row in the market the success of the
Victory loan will be jeopardized.
With the return of Premier Lloyd
George to Paris the peace delegates
took up the consideration of the treaty,
tackling first the question of the dis
armament of the enemy, naval and
military, which was lifted from the
armistice terms and will become a part
of the peace pact. AS framed by the
commission, this clause will ef~fectually
safeguard the world against aggression
by the Huns for u long time. As was
expected. the amount of money to be
exacted in PREPARATION has been cut
down greatly, but 1t still stands at an
enormous sum-. The commission on
the matter of the western frontier was
said to have virtually finished Its work.
France nay not get all her most en-
thusiastic citizens hoped for, but an
adequate buffer between her and Ger
many will be provided by the creation
of the neutralized strip along the west
bank of the Rhine.
According to the last reports, the
commission named to determine the
responsibility of the authors of the
war, which Is headed by Secretary Ian
sing, has come to a conclusion thai
will arouse a storm of protest through
out the civilized world. Its report. II
Is said, while fixing moral responsible
ity on the former kaiser and his as
sociates, falls to find legal responsible
ity because there Is no precedent oi
law applicable to the case and no eN
listing court competent to try the ac
cused II their legal guilt were evident
The layman will wonder why it II
necessary to find n precedent wher
! wihalm md hiG crav craatpd an man,