New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1920-04-16


ers Will surpass work Of Preceding
Years.
BY JAMES p. HoRNADAY.
WashingtOn.-If there is anyone In
public life who knows just what sta
ton the United States occupies in the
family of nations since the second re-
lection of the treaty of peace with
Germany he is not talking out loud.
The new secretary of state, Balm
bridge Colby, realizes that he VIII
have many unusual international
problems to deal with so long as the
United States declines to 60 along
with her allies in the war in making
peace with Germany and Austria, and
he does not hesitate TO 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 1t is well IN
derstOOd by all persons acquainted
with international usages that so long
as the United States w%ithhOlds Its
assent to world peace strained rela-
tons to n certain extent are bound to
exist.
The League of Nations is, of course,
already a 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 60 to pieces. 1t is inevitable. ac-
cording to the best Informed states
men, that II the United States should
decide to go it alone in world affairs
other great nations would be obliged
to recast their plans for the future.
Alliances viii BE Formed.
What will happen In cast the United
States shall eventually decide to stay
out of the league, so we~ll-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, 1t Is asserted. be re-
vived and o or later every great
power will be suspecting the motives
of nearly every other great power.
Most of the people of the United
States, 1t is believed, by persons who
are In position to speak with some au-
thority, will continue to insist that the
United States become n member of the
League Of Nations. Persons who take
this view confidently believe that II
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
question before the people In any con
crete form. 1t is generally assumed
that II 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 a League of Nations.
If this is done, 1t is pointed out, any
election result would throw no guiding
light on the minor questions affecting
the treaty, the questions owe which
the senate split. The latest informa-
tion from abroad Is that the European
nations which have already become
members of the League of Nations
will 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.
Congress May Adjourn In June.
Now that the senate has returned
the treaty Of peace with Germany to
President Wilson there will be an OPP
%portunity for that body to dispose OF
q large accumulation of business. The
senate was In possession Of the treaty
a little more than eight months and
throughout that period II postponed ac-
ton on all legislation except that
which called for immediate attention.
II did find time to pass the bill return
ing the railroads to their and
II has disposed Of a good deal of I'M
important legislation, but in a large
way II laid aside for future action pref
ty much everything of Importance pro-
posed during the eight months.
The body has planned to join with
the house of representatives TO bring
this session to an end along about June
/, so as to get out of the way of the
national political conventions. and the
leaders realize that IL this Is to be
done no time can be wasted from now
A little later the steering commit
tees Of the senate and house will de-
eide Just what legislation shall I've
put through between now and the
conventions. II is inevitable that a
good many important matters will go
over until after the presidential cleo
tion. which means that they will not
he taken up until the last session of
this congress, which will begin on the
first Monday of e December.
Neither of the political parties as rep
resented In congress is particularly
to explore new Legislative
fields on the eve of Il presidential cleo
ton; the prevailing tendency is TO
play safe and wait until after the vot-
ers have spoken.
What to do with the government
owned merchant marine is also a ques-