The Washington herald., 1920-12-31
Definite Conclusions Are
Reached on Attitude
Toward Treaty.
WILL URGE PASSAGE
OF PEACE MEASURE
President-elect Says He
Will Sign Bill Ending
War Status
BY w. r. MACNAMEE-

MARION. Ohio. Dec. 5o.-The pol
icy Of the Republican administration
in putting the country on q peace
basis and opening the way for Amer
ica's entrance into an association OF
nations to prevent war. can now be
definitely outlined as a result Of the
conference today between Presi-
dent-elect Warren G. Harding apd
Senator PhiIander c. Knox of Penn
! sylvania-
The steps TO be taken in carry
ing out this policy can be set down
as follows:
I. Passage OF the Knox peace req
| olution, terminating the state OF
war between the United States,
Germany and Austria and repeal
ing all wartime legislation.
2. Passage of an amendment TO
| this resolution declaring ~ to be
the policy of the United States to
consult with other powers in pre-
venting the menace OF war. This
opens the way for the new asso-
| citation Of nations.
The Inauguration Of such a policy
leaves no room for the use of any
Of the machinery OF the league OF
nations, which is regarded by the
Republican administration as a dead
issue.
The policy outlined above has the
complste approval Of President-elect
Warren C. Harding. who already has
announced that he as President will
sign the peace resolution immedizte-
ly upon its passage.
The Knox Resolution
Following his conference with the
President-elect, Senator Knox said
that he would not attempt to secure,
the passage # his resolution until
the extra session Of Congress. to be
called sometime after March &. The
Knox resolution passed the last
Congress but was vetoed by Presi-
dent Wilson. Its provisions follow:
l. Terminates the state Of war de-
! clared 10 exist by joint resolution
of congress. April s. 1917. between
the United States and Germany.
>. Provides for the retention by
the United states Of all German
property in the possession Of the
United States on April 6. 1917. or
subsequently seized until Ca) Con-
Sress makes disposition thereof: CbD
until Germany by treaty provides
! for the satisfaction Of all American
claims: Cc) by treaty, grants Ameri-
cans favored nation treatment: (dl
until Germany confirms all fines,
seizures. etc. made by the United
States Of German property during
the war.
3. Requests the President to nego-
tiate a treaty Of amity and COM
merCe with Germany.
4. Repeats all war legislation hy
Congress.
;. Provides that until by treaty
or acts of Congress it shall he de-
termined otherwise. the United
States does not waive its right un-
der the treaty Of Versailles. the ar
mistice OF November II. 1915. OF any
extensions or notifications thereof,
stipulated for its benefit as one OF
the principal allied and associated
powers.
New Amendment.
| S. Repeals Austrian war resolu-
tion.
To this resolution Senator Knox
today proposed TO President-elecL
Harding an amendpent which opens
the way for other countries TO Join
the United States in the proposed
association OF nations. This amend
ment would read:
] 1T is the declared policy Of the
United States. in order 60 meet fully
and fairly our obligations to our
selves and to the world that the
freedom and peace Of Europe being
again threatened by any power or
combination Of powers, the United
states will regard such a situation
with grave concern, as a menace 90
its own peace and freedom, wifi
consult with other powers affected
with view 10 devising means for
the removal OF such menace, and
will, the necessity arising in the
future, cooperate with the friends
OF civilization for its defense"
The passage q this resolution.
with its proposed amendment prould
provide a simple and customary
method OF adjusting our relations
with Germany" said Senator Knox--
As outlined by Senator Knox.
this policy is exactly In line With
the expressed views Of the Presi-
dent-elect, for. while il would not
bind the United States politically
or in military sense TO any
power. yet it T. the belief that Il
would be tremendous moral
force in encouraging nations TO
| ject the vital interests or the war
making prerogative Of the United
States to the will Of any foreign
council, as would have been the
result OF our Joining the league Of
nations.
Erroneous Ideas.
Senator Knox today permanently
laid at rest whatever fears might
exist Regarding possible use of
some of the machinery Of the
league of nations in creating the
new world association.
There was a rumor Of thst kind
emanating from Marion" said sem
stor Knox. Il never credited q. be-
cause I could not imagine how he
(Senator HardinED could miscon-
strue the mandate OF the American
people and back track on speeches
made during the campaign. / am
assured, this morning that he had
no such idea In mind"
Senator Knox was asked II the
decision OF the Presidentelect not
20 use any machinery of the league
referred TO the world court plan
presented to the league by Elihu
Root
Senator HArding's idea for n
world court is entirely separate