Evening star., 1920-12-09

Congress Leaders Decide
Not to Push Separate
Peace Resolution.
BY n. o. MESSENGER.

Senators are in possession Of in
formation wnIcn warrants contempla-
tion of the possibility that President
Wilson may yet send back to the Sem
ate. with a message of recommended
tion, the Versailles treaty of peace
and the covenant of the league of
nations.
The document itself is still in the
possession of the President and has
not been placed in the archives of
the State Department. The President
mas been described as yet undecided
senate or deposit it in the State De-
partment, to be dealt with by his
successor.
Senate leaders, in consultation with
bouse managers. have decided not to
push at this session Of Congress n
resolution declaring a state Of peace
TO exist with Germany. This determi- :
n2uon was reached after an informal
canvass of the House and Senate had
convinced the leaders that a two
the resolution over the expected
presidential veto.
Harding Course Uncertain.
Another consideration which Affect
ed the decision reached is the uncer-
tainty which. exists as to the conraa
the new administration viii take as
70 the proposed association of ma .
tons President-elect Harding has
yet to determine, after full and frae
oonIeIehce with the best minds OF the
0Himend. ~ 1ec-
That is to say. it has not been d.
cldeq whether to abandon the treaty
oI Versailles, In it's entirety. sfncIn6s
ing, OF course the original covenant
Il n p&dk ?
mend modifying the covenant with
reserystions and aualifying certain
sections OF the general treaty to
which exceptions were taken IN the
Senate, and. as thus recast, "a pro.
Senate.
These questions are expected to be
solved by President -elect Harding
between now and March 4. and their
determination would have a bearing
declaration of peace with Germany.
II they were not solved by the time
the President takes office it would
then be in order to pass immediately
a resolution declaring state Of peace
with Germany.
Plsns Extensive Conferences.
II. come Inauguration day. the
President has not fixed upon a def.
mite program for the association of
nations. the demand for immediate
declaration of peace with Germany
can no longer be resisted, it is said.
and Congress will be asked imme-
diately upon assembling in extra
session. to act promptly, with as
'Hurance that the new executive will
assent. --+-4
1t is said to be evident, as result of
conversations between the Presidents
elect and senator's on his visit to
Washington that there must be ex-
tensive conferences between him and
fore he decides upon the course he
will follow as to recommending an
association Of nations, and the scope
Of the United States participation
therein
The lines of demarcation in senti.
ment are still clearly defined and
taut. Tritely described. the sentiment
in and out Of the Senate is divided
among his prospective counselors as
follows:
In opposition to any association or
league of any kind.
For a league based upon the exist
ing covenant and the treaty of Ver-
sailles, with amendments and reser.
vations.
In favor Of declaring peace with
Germany ana taking up anew the
subject of this country entering into
an association Of nations
=, Senate Must Wait.
1t is said to be quite evident tb.,
President-elect Harding will And
himself sorely beset by iconflictine
arguments in reaching decision
among the ardent urgers of these re-.
spective propositions. In the end ha
will have to take the responsibility ~
suggesting a course. but that will nor
settle it.
The new President will propose hut
the Senate Of the United States viii
dispose. The Senate can do notbin.
of it's own initiative, but must wait
for suggestion from the President
The Senate has nothing before ~ a,
present upon which to act. The nc.
pers in the case have passed bevnnd
it's Jurisdiction. the treaty having been
returned to President Wilson. When
he goes out of Office it ia assurned
they will be turned over to the ns-
partment of State and placed in ~.
archives. when his successor in the
executive Office can resurrect them aV
will, or allow them to remain pieaon.
holed while he presents to the Senat.
an alternative proposition or ne
proposition at all, beyond immediato
declaration Of peace with GermanT