Great Falls daily tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1895-1921, 1920-04-09
HOUSE To VOTE
TODAY ON MERE
STATE Of PEACE
Adoption of Resolution
Substitute for Eventual
Treaty Is Forecast by
Debate Lineup.
Republican Leaders Ar
que for Ending Dicta-
torial Powers of Presii-
dent In Wartime Laws.

Washington. April s.-rhe peace
resolution had passed the half way mark
on its way through the house when
echoes of the storm of oratory and de-
pate it provoked died away tonight. For
SIX hours 1t was the center of discus
SION on the floor, yet no one questioned
tnat 1T would be adopted The final vote
Will come late Friday.
Inere was a vote today on adoption
OF the special rule limiting debate and
preventing amendment Of the resolution
ae Drawn BY the committee on foreign
aIIalrs. The rule was carried. c14 TO
155. seven Democrats joining the Renub,
llcans in its support and one Republican,
opposing it. This was taken to indicate
acuon on the resolution itself. but
hepubhcan leaders said more Democrats
would join them on the final vote. One
or the Democrats. Representative Hud-
Gieston: of Alabama. who voted against
tne rule. announced he would support
the resolution.
Charges Of Politics.
, Charges Of partisanship ran through
democratic comment on the resolution.
Representative Huddleston noted these.
but insisted that conscience would not
let him ''tr0t along with his party
majority and oppose the peace proposal.
Whatever company" his decision forced
him to keep.
The November election figured almost
as prominently in the debate as did the
international situation. wartime legisla-
ton. or even President Wilson's share
IN the treaty fight. A statement by
Representative Pou, Democrat, Of North
Carolina. that the president had been
without personal ambition in his ac-
lions: brought roar of laughter from
the Republican side. 1t was echoed from
the Democratic side moment later.
when. to support charges of partisan
purpose, Representative Montague.
Democrat, Virginia. asked Chairman
peace with Austro-Hungary also had not
been proposed
Treaty-makl Invasion View.
On the technical side of the discus
s'oh~ the Democrats repeatedly chal-
congress- to pass such legislation, in
sisting It vas a contemplated invasion |
OF tne treatv making powers conferred |
On tue executive ;SSpch and the senate
Historical and legal precedents were
marshalled to support this view. and the |
writings of authovities on international |
law quoted at Length.
The Republicans Quoted other authori-
ties and precedents aad maintained that |
all that was sought was to end legally
a war that had in fact ended long ago. |
The treaty making powers were not az |
fected. he insisted. and formal treaty /
with Germany could BE- drawn and ratifi- |
ed as pr"yided by the constitution.
One Republican, Representative Full
Ter. of Massachusetts, voted against the |
rule.
The Democrats joining with tb.
Republican majority were Caldwell. New
York: Evans, Nevada; Gallivan and
Olney, Massachusetts,; Sherwood, Ohio;
Fogle and Ganley, New York.
Holds Congress Has Power.
''The power of determination on this
question Of fact is undoubtedly in
congress" said Chairman Porter. Of the
foreign relations committee. The only
controversy remaining is one between
the chief executive and the senate owe:
ratification of the treaty.
1t congress had not such power. Mr..
Porter argued, and peace could come
could maintain dictatorship under war
legislation ''just as long as he is able to
hold the presidential office"
1T is an unprecedented situation in
the history Of our country" he co1-
tinued," the evil Of which necessity re.
quires an unprecedented remedy"
Says People Long for Freedom.
Chairman Campbell. Of the rules com
mittee. said the people were wearied by
q year and a half of life under an ex-
ecutive with war powers in time of peace
and longed for the freedom of govern
ment with three separate and independ-
ent branches.
Passage Of the resolution. he conip-
ued. would put the United States back
on normal basis. He added that grove
domestic questions made the proposed
action imperative. II
The war is over" he declared. "Tha
il known by every one. Congress j,
therefore within its rights in declaring a
state Of war no longer exists. Autocraticj
war powers are CALLING to a free people
in time Of peace.
Take no Peace Power From Wilson,
1T is the duty of congress to withdraw
from the president the powers granted
him for war purposes. We take no pow
ers from him that belonged to him in II
time of peace.
NO one has suggested possible
justification of excuse for resumine a
state of war with Germany or for con-
.inuin4 war powers in the president. He
s left with the utmost freedom to
negotiate treaty with the advice and
onsent of the senate, as provided in
he plain terms of the constitution
Humbug, Says Democrat.
Representative Pou. North Carolina