The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1920-04-24
WHERE DOES j. s.
STAND on PEACE?
QUESTION is UNANSWERED BY
MEN GUIDING WELFARE OF
THE NATION.
CONGRESS FACES HUGE TASK
Measures Postponed on Account of
Consideration of Peace Treaty Now
to Get Attenton-YouthfuI Garden
er's Will SurPass work of Preceding
Years
BY JAMES P. HoRNApAY.

WaShingtOn.-If there is anyone il
public life who knows just what sta
ton the United States occupies in tn
family of nations since the second re
lection of the treaty of peace witt
Germany he is not talking out loud
The new secretary of state, Balm
bridge Colby, realizes that he vii
have many unusual international
problems to deal with so long as The
United States declines to go along
with her allies in the war in making
peace with Germany and Austria, and
he does not hesitate 10 SO express him
self. On the surface of things cordial
relations between the United States
and all the governments of the world
even including Germany and Austria,
will be maintained, but ii is well I'M
derstood by all persons acquainted
with international usages that so long
as the United States withholds its
assent to world peace strained rela-
tions to Il certain extent are bound to
exist.
The League of Nations is, of course.
already. going concern to some ex-
tent, but every nation that has Joined
the league realizes that unless the
! United States shall eventually become
a member, the league scheme for pre-
serving world peace will sooner or
later go to pieces. 1t is inevitable, ac-
| cOrding TO the best Informed states
mon thar IL tho Initial Ctoto, cl,,,Il
decide TO 90 it alone in world affairs
| other great nations would be obliged
to recast their plans for the future.
Alliances Will Be Formed.
What will happen in case the United
States shall eventually decide to stay
out of the league, so well-informed
statesmen say, is that offensive and
defensive alliances will be formed by
the other great powers. This means
that the world will drop back to the
general defensive and offensive poll
cies that prevailed prior to 1914. The
secret treaty will, it is asserted, be re-
vived and sooner or later every great
power will be suspecting the motives
of nearly every other great power.
Most of the people of the United
States, it is believed, by persons who
are in position TO speak with some au-
thority, will continue to insist that the |
United States become member of the |
League of Nations. Persons who take |
this view confidently believe that if |
the issue of a league or no league |
could be submitted to a referendum |
vote there would be no question about
the league receiving a preliminary ma
Jority, but the difficulty is to get the
question before the people in any con-
crete form. 1t is generally assumed
that If nothing is done with the treaty
with Germany between now and June.
each of the old political parties will
insert In its national platform a
plank favoring q League of Nations
If this is done, it is pointed out. any
election result would throw no guiding
light on the minor questions affecting
the treaty, the questions over which
the senate split. The latest informa-
ton from abroad is that the European
nations which have already become /,
members of the League of Nations
VIII take a patient attitude with re-
spect to the situation that exists in
this country and will keep the league ,
door open for the United States. I
Congress May Adjourn in June. I
Now that the senate has returned s
The treaty of peace with Germany to &
president Wilson there will be an on
portunity for that body to dispose of $
large accumulation of business. The I
senate was in possession of the treaty. $
little more than eight months and 9
throughout that period it postponed ac- a
ton on all legislation except that S
which called for immediate attention. I
t did find time to pass the bill return I
ne the railroads to their owners and G
has disposed of a good deal of I'M 0
Important legislation, but in a large \
way 1t laid aside for future action pref p
y much everything of Importance pro- q
'osed during the eight months.
The body has planned to join with
he house of representatives to bring e
his session to an end along about June
=, so as to get out of the way of the
ational political conventions, and the
eaders realize that if this is to be II
one no time can be wasted from now h
n. ~
A little later the steering commit n,
PES of the senate and house will de- 6,
ide just what legislation shall be a
ut through between now and the .,
1t is inevitable that 6,
God many important matters will 90 q,
yer until after the presidential cleo n,
on, which means that they will not q,
taken up until the last session of Jr
his congress, which will begin on the 8,
rst Monday of next December. Is
either of the political parties as rep
scented in congress is particularly re
lxious TO explore new legislative M
elds on the eve of u presidential cleo G.
on; the prevailing tendency is to ca
lay safe and wait until after the yot- In
s have spoken. ii,
What TO do with the government va
vned merchant marine is also a ques- IS