The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-03-24
NEWT j. S foreign
POLICY BEGUN AS
COLBY TAKESPOST
Belief Is Expressed That MeXS
lean, Russian and Far East
ern Attitudes will Be
Changed by New Chief
By DAVID LAWRENCE.
Especial Correspondent OF The News
SrImltarA


By DAVID LAWRENCE.
Especial Correspondent Of The News
SrlmitarA
WASHINGTON. March 94-Batn-
bridge Colby Is now secretary OF state,
That means, by and with the advice
and consent of President Wilson the
initiation OF new foreign policy. tn
sued by Secretary Lansing so FAR as
they differed from those Of the presi-
dent
Very little is known Of just what
were the exact differences OF opinion
but the assumption Is that new Mex,
lean policy, a new Russian policy and
q new Far Eastern policy are in pros
pect. The entire foreign policy Of the
United States must. in any event be
defined, In view OF the postponement
for one year at least Of action on the
treaty OF peace.
Congress Is getting ready to propose
peace by joint resolution, but 1t will
soon be apparent that the plan is
Tnakeshift only, Actually there can be
no peace unless the president Of the
United States consents, for. he IS
charged under the constitution with
the conduct OF foreign relations
There can be. however, a technical
state of peace. Thus n joint resOlu-
tion OF congress might be vetoed by
the president, IN which event a two
sibility OF getting two-thirds vote has
just been demonstrated in the senate,
International Agreements,
But. even II passed over the presi-
dents veto, there is grave doubt as
TO what practical effect the resolu-
ton could have. For instance, con-
stitutional lawyers are agreed that
joint resolution declaring peace can
not settle any points In dispute be-
tween the United States and Ger
many relating to property or any
thing else. The executive branch OF
the government can alone negotiate in
ternational agreements or understand
ings OF any kind.
The department OF state could and
probably would arrange modus vlven-
III or short time agreement TO cover
commercial intercourse and diplomatic
relations, but the status OF all the
allen property both in tho United tSates
and Germany, amounting TO billions OF
dollars, would remain unsettled until u
treaty was negotiated and ratified.
But, for all practical purposes, there
would be peace just as soon as joint
resolution was passed and signed by
the president or adopted over his veto
--an of which Is admittedly difficult
since the president is insistent that
the treaty Of Versailles be voted upon
In the autumn elections.
On the other hand, congress could
by joint resolution, revoke the war
time powers OF the president and re-
peal all war legislation, but this could
have been done by congress. on the
day the armlstice was signed and Is
q matter OF domestic legislation en-
trey irrespective OF an agreement with
an enemy.
President and Resolution,
There is little indication that Presi-
dent Wilson will let congress by
joint resolution give the Impression
OF peace could to get the country back
en- peace basis. He will unquestlona-
bly, emphasize that policy OF invol-
un' airy isolation keeps the United States
Oft the PREPARATION commission and en-
ables the European powers to divide
up the commerce OF Europe as they
please, and to arrange for financial
adjustments In Europe without con
silting the United States
Nobody has been let in on the White
House plans thus far, but that MIR,
Wilson intends 10 keep the fight on
the treaty going is apparent from state
Tnents made by many persons hitherto
familiar with his point OF view. Mr..
Wilson realizes, no doubt, that he is
beaten so far as the senate Is con-
cerned, but with a man who believes
the senate doesn't represent the Amer
tie prospect OF an absolute surrender
of the whole thing with the simple
process of approving joint resolution
by congress.
White House Attitude.
In executive quarters, the Joint res
olution idea isn't taken seriously be-
cause OF the intention to puncture 1t
full Of holes as soon as the plan Is
up for debate in both houses, Then
viii come an avalanche of arguments
and distractions from the White House
which may make congress pause,
The simple little business OF allowing
official documents and passports by
the thousands to lie unsigned had the
effect of Fastening the senate's action
on the Colby nomination, and II Is
J. similarly doubtful whether congress viii
care to take the responsibility for any
adverse developments In the foreign
trade situation that might affect Amer
ica's financial stability.
The political game is a desperate
enc this year and there are people here
who actually look forward to finan-
cial crash as a result Of the chaos in
Germany and the reluctance Of the
United States to put her shoulder TO
the wheel and assist through the league
Of nations in the enforcement and OPP
Grafton of the peace treaty.
All the economic Ills that may visit
autumn are to be blamed by the Demo
Gratis on the treaty situation, and that s
why they hardly will aid In getting a
joint resolution through congress "a
simplify matters, though there are some
folks In administration circles who be.
4 lieve that the passage of Joint reso
4 luton would be helpful in defining OK.
\ actly by a process OF elimination how
much responsibility for economic trou.
bles can be attributed TO the failure OF
the senate 10 ratify treaty or par.
ticipate in the league of nations
The Republicans are not bit feazet
by this for, though some Of them ad.
init, as Senator Harding did, that IN,
benefits to be derived by the rattfica,
/. ton Of the treaty with reservations are
now lost, they will continue to insis
that the responsibility for the whole
business lies entirely in the uncompro.
missing disposition of the Democrat,
incumbent OF the White House
copyright, 1920, by David Lawrence.
| MINERS AWAIT REpIV