The Washington times., 1920-04-08
HOUSE BEGINS
. PEACE DEBATE
Congressman Porter Says His
!, Bin WIZ End Dictatorship
At White House.

The House plunged into debate on
the question Of peace today. The For
ter resolution. declaring a state OF
peace with Germany vas under dis
cussion.
Chairman Porter of the House For
eign Affairs Committee. autho- of the
resolution. warned of the dangers to
the country through delay in declar-
ing peace with Germany. He con-
tended that Congress had authority to
declare existence of a state of peace,
although 1t could not enter upon
treaty-maiing, or negotiations lead
ing TO that end.
He argued that II Congress were de-
MED that power II would be- within
the right of an obstinate President,
or one loving power, "to retain his
office indefinitely as a dictator by
holding together his war machine and
refusing to accept any notifications
in peace treaties that the Senate
might demand. He pointed out that
with the present deadlock between the
President and the Senate. peace with
Germany could be delayed indefi-
nitely.
InJects Party Issue.
CONGRESSMAN Flood of Virginia
ranking Democratic member of the
House Foreign Affairs Committee ana
chief defender of the President,
charged the Republican leaders with
playing partisan politics with the
peace issue in an effort to discredit
President Wilson. He asserted they
were incorporating the Presidents
position in connection with the mat
ter. He warned them that they were
playing with n most dangerous and
delicate situation when they attempt
ed illegally and unconstitutionally TO
encroach upon the treaty making
power.
The pending resolution, Flood as
serted, should II be passed by Com
gress and become the law, would
make the united States the ally OF
Germany against Great Britain
France, and Italy, and lead this coun :
try into a position where, by arms, 1t
would have to assist Germany. I'm
der the resolution, he maintained, this
country would lose all chances for
reparation from Germany for the
great damages she had done. includ-
ing the loss of life and property in
the sinking of the Lusitania.
For "Americn First"
oJt must be obvious to everybody
VINO mas Nit
the treaty had been ratified as pre-
sented by the President, the country
TODAY would have an army OF any
where between 25,000 to 100000 In
Armenia and would have obligated
itself to expenditure OF not less than
s7b7 900 600, according TO the report
Of Major General Harbord," Congress-
man Madden, Republican, OF Illinois,
said.
"The league OF nations, as present
cd by the President, would have modi'
fcd the Constitution by method con-
trary to It's own provisions and left
Congress with nothing to do but vote
men and money whenever so directed
by the council of tho league.
"I verify believe that fourhfths OF
the American people arc for America
nrst' l believe the United States as
an independent entity can be more
useful to the world without entang
ling alliances than as member Of
A league OF nations" Madden said.
Reversal of the attitude Spf Presi-
dent Wilson on peace, by Netting II
be known that he will veto the peace
resolution if passed by Congress. was
charged by Congressman Campbell,
Republican, OF Kansas
''The war Is over and Congress
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