Evening star., 1920-03-28
BY NEWBOLD MOVES.

URING the week the destnies of the
peace treaty remained in the highly
problematical stage which has OBJ
tained since the return of the pact to
the White House. Rumors of every sort and
variety have flown thick and fast. but the truth
of the matter apparently is that. until the time
when President Wilson shall make some ex
preston as to the course he proposes to follow
in the matter. no one is in a position to speak
authoritatively the subject
1t does. however. seem reasonably certain
that should Congress pass a joint peace reso-
luton along the lines advocated by Senator
Knox it would be promptly vetoed by the
President. This fact has doubt played
considerable part in the decision of Senate
leaders to shove the republican plan to "de-
clare peace" down to the lower house-there
to permit their junior confreres to struggle
with 1T. Apparently not even the most opti
mistic in either house entertains any great
hope of passing such resolution over the
Presidents veto. and 1t thus becomes course
of rather obvious expedience to find out def
nitely what Mr.. Wilson proposes to do before
wasting work on the Knox plan And so far
no one has evolved a method for uncovering
the Presidents purposes.
OF the plans indicative of the above
toned state of bewilderment. If of nothing else,
should be included that. reported to be favored
by certain democratic senators. of ratifying the
treaty without the league and leaving that
troublous feature Of the pact for decision after
the approaching election Representative
Flood of Virginia, democrat. is quoted ad-
vocating joint resolution authorizing Presi-
dent Wilson to prepare a new treaty of peace
with Germany.
Rumor has it that the President proposes
in the near future to notify the allies that
rat1hcation has been refused by the Senate and
An amusing feature In the situation-if amuse
ment indeed, can be found in so grave juno
ture in the affairs of the nation-lies in the
fact that but a little more than week ago 1t
was understood that the Senate. in returning
the treaty to the White House, had passed the
buck back to the President. Yet, having re-
lieved themselves of problem with which
of waiting for the Presidents next move has
proved more than they can bear: and all save
few are busily engaged in profering advices
which. under the circumstances. Mr.. Wilson
may conceivably regard as slightly gratuitous
With President Ebert back in Berlin. the
business of restoring order in Germany was
vigorously undertaken during the week. On
Monday the disturbances throughout the land
had increased to alarming extent Fol-
lowed announcement that Ebert's govern
ment had negotiated a compromise with the
radicals. The provisions of the compromise
involving the naturalization Of industry and
land were generally expected in this country.
together with certain otner details obviously
purposed to weaken the armed power Of Ger
many against further revolution. Noske re-
signed. was followed by Bauer. who was in
turn ousted, and Mueller asked to form
a new cabinet. which. it is understood. will
be hand picked by labor elements. No doubt
remains but that the compromise has been in
fact a very long step toward the left
With the disorders throughout Germany
there has developed in this country at least IL
not among the allies, strong feeling that fur
ther reducing of the German military forces
at this time would be most unwise. Pending
the time when order shall have been estab-
1ished east of the Rhine. those who are anx-
iously following the serious aftermath of the
brief counter revolution believe that no efforts
should be spared in strengthening the hands
of the moderate elements in Germany.
In this connection it is interesting to note
that the United States Is understood to have
joined with Great Britain and Italy in op-
posing any military action by the allied gov
ernments to force preservation Of order in the
Ruhr valley. where the Ebert government has