New-York tribune., 1920-05-15
Reed Attacks
Wilson's Peace
Treaty Policy
Supporting Knox Resolu-
ton, Missourian Warns
Party Against ''Madness
of Presidents Course"
Senate Votes at 4 P. NJ.
No Despot Ever Claimed
His Word Was Law Until
Decreed, Senator Said

From The Tr1bune's Washington Bureau
w WASHINGTON, May Ex-senator
Reed, Of Missouri. q Democratic CIR
reconcilable' opponent of the Yer
sailles treaty, while advocating passage
Of the Knox peace resolution in the
Senate to-day, denounced the madness"
of President Wilson'S peace course. If
the Democratic National Convention
adopts a plank in its platform approx
ing unconditional ratification of the
Versailles treaty, Senator Reed declared
they will write the epitaph of present
day Democracy.
The struggle for passage of the reso-
luton will come to an end in the Sen
ate tomorrow, under a unanimous con-
sent agreement adopted by the Senate.
A final vote on the resolution will be
had at a o'clock, and the resolution
then will be sent back to the House of
Repre- atives for approval.
Passage of the resolution in the Sem
ate is predicted by both sides All Of
the Republicans, with the exception Of
Senator McCumber, of North Dakota,
will vote for it, while several Demo-
Gratis, including Senators Reed; Thomas,
of Colorado; Shields, Of Tennessee;
Walsh, of Massachusetts, and Gore. of
Oklahoma, favor it.
Senator Reed took up what he called
"the doctrine of estoppel by silence"
He said this had been advocated by
Senator Hitchcock, who insisted that all
the Pre- esident's utterances must stand
indorsed whenever they are applauded
cd NV
silence.
'1f this new doctrine is to find root
in our Jurisprudence and legislation
it ought to be we'll understood," said
Senator Reed. If the President by
mere word Of mouth, by mere utterance,
can bind the people to any policy, it is
we'll we understand that fact. Of all
the heresies, of all the absurdities, of
all the intellectual monstrosities that
ever have fallen from the lips of the
sane or insane this is the worst. 1t is
accepted in the days of Julius Caesar
if he had uttered such principles from
the Roman throne.
Assails Wilson'S Rash Promises
"No despot ever claimed his word
was law until it had been formulated
and published as a decree. If this new
people? What becomes of the consti-
tutional form of government? No rep
resentative power whatever is vested
in the President"
Regret was expressed by Mr.. Reed
that the old custom of sending written
messages to Congress had been aban-
doned. He hoped it would be speedily
resumed. He believed, however, the
President was within his constitutional
right when appearing and delivering
his messages by word of mouth.
"The President has no legal author
ity to bind Congress by speech de-
livered, either before it or elsewhere, /"
Senator Reed continued. "The present
situation arises because of the claim
that Congress must approve all the
rash promises made by the President.
The Presidents telegram to Oregon
Democrats, urging unqualified support
of the treaty was read by Mr.. Reed,
who discussed the question of keep
ing faith" as indicated by the Presi-
dent. "Was it to keep faith on prom
ises made by tho President in hfs
speeches." ?" asked Senator Reed. WAS
the nations honor involved because of
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