Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-03-21
WILSON REFRA|NS
FROM COMMENT
President Issues No Statement
Following Defeat of Treaty
in Senate.
PEACE RESOLUTION IN HOUSE
Representative Tinkham, of
Massachusetts, Moves to De-
clare War at End.
IBy Associated pressl

WASHINGTON, March 2O-After a
troubled eight months sojourn in the
Senate. the treaty with Germany was
back in the keeping of President Will
son tonight with note appended, say
ing that ratification had been refused.
What the Presidents next move
would be remained conjectural. White
House officials declined to comment.
The general feeling Of officials else
where about the capital. however. was
that Mr.. Wilson probably would let
bitter controversy it has raised is
fought out in the political campaign.
me document, which was delivered
son last July 10. was taken to the
White House by George a. Sanderson.
secretary of the Senate. He was ac-
the party was received by Rudolph
Forster. executive clerk of the White
House Mr.. Forster did not accept the
treaty, however. the visitors being re-
ferred to Secretary Tumulty.
President Makes No Statement.
Mr.. Tumulty was with the President
at the time and when he returned to
the executive Offices to receive the
ment from the President.
inc senate was not in session today.
but when the House met, Representa-
tive Tinkham. Republican. Massachu-
sets. offered joint resolution declar-
ing state of peace between the United
states and Germany.
Under the resolution Germany would
recognize all rights which the United
states might have had under the Yer
sailles treaty; Should Germany fail
be authorized. Ia prohibit resumption
.lnf- tradc aIions or thel-extensfoi:a of
loans or credits.
MIR Tinkham's resolution was "a.
Tered to the Foreign Affairs Committee
without discussion.
Text Of Tinkhum Revolution,
The text Of Mr.. Tinkhams resolution
follows:
Resolved by the Senate and House
Of Representative Of the United States
OF America. in Congress assembled,
that the Joint resolution of Congress.
OF war exists. between the imperial
German government and the govern
ment and people of the United States,
and making provisions TO prosecute
the same be, and the same is here
by; repealed: provided, however, that.
unless the German government noti-
hes the, government OF the United
States that it acquiesces in and con-
firms irrevocably to the United States
all undertakings and covenants con-
tanned in the treaty OF Versailles con-
states or its nationals any rights.
powers or benefits whatsoever and
comedies TO the United States all
rights, privileges. indcmnities. repa-
rations, and advantages to which the
United States would have been entitled
If IL were ratifSinG party to said
treaty, the President OF the United
States shall have the power, by
proclamation. to prohibit commercial
intercourse between the United States
and Germany, and the making of loans
or credits, and the furnishing Of finan
cial assistance or supplies to the Ger
man government or tho Inhabitants OF
Germany, directly or indirectly. by the
government of the United States or
ha in h.lh Nf ha n
ANY violations OF the prohibition
contained in such proclamation by the
President shall be punishable as pro-
vided in section 16 OF the trading with
the enemy act, approved October G.
1917.
1T is further resolved that it shall
States that the freedom and pence OF
Europe being again threatened by any
power or combination OF powers. the
United states Will regard such n stu
alton with grave concern and will con-
slider what. If any, action it will take
in the premises"
May Not Get Together.
When the Knox resolution was put
forward in the Senate last December.
considerable opposition to It became
manifest in the House. There is a
question whether the two legislative
branches could get together on an ac-
President Wilson would accept 1t il
passed. His signature is required to
make joint resolutions effective,
senator Fall last summer submitted
a series of questions to the President
regarding the peace question In which
he asked II Congress and the Prcsi-
dent could not declare peace by Il
process verbal" such rs a resolution
President Wilson was emphatic Mt that
time in his disapproval of such
course.
feel constrained to say" he wrote
the New Mexico Senator. mot only
that i'm my Judgment I have. not the
power by. proclamation TO declare that
peace exists. but that | could In no
circumstances consent to take such
a course prior to the ratification of a
formal treaty OF peace
II feel it due to perfect frankncss
to say that 1t would. in my opinion
put n stain upon our national honor
which we never could efface. If. after
sending our men to the battle field to
fight the common cause, wo should
abandon our associates in the war in
the settlement Of the terms of ncace
and dissociate ourselves from ali re-
sponsihility with regard to those
terms"