Evening star., 1921-04-29
KNOX PEACE PLAN
HIT BY HITCHCOCK
Senator Says 1t Is an At
tempt to Dictate to Presi-
dent Harding.

VIII ttAI OIItSs
Adoption of the Knox peace reso-
luton would be an attempt to die
tate the international policies of
resident Harding. Senator Hitchcock
Of Nebraska, ranking democrat on
the foreign relations committee,
charged today in the Senate.
The Nebraska senator attacked the
measure as idle and neffectivc.' and
declared that il was being rail
roaded' through like d gas franchise
through city council when the
votes can be depended upon The
resolution is TO be voted on tomor-
row.
Quotes Harding Address.
Quoting from President Harding's s
address to Congress. in which he op-
posed any statement of policy by
Congress, Senator Hitchcock said
Congress in this resolution did AS
sumo the function of the executive"
1t assumes, he said, TO dictate
the terms of the treaty which only
the executive has power to negotiate.
What has become of the farfamed
cooperation between the various
branches of the government? Is the
Presidents request to Congress not
to interfere in his constitutional
power to be fioated at the first
chance? Is Congress TO dictate to
the executive what sort of treaty
he is to negotiate with Germany?
"Is There n Conflict
rs there already conflict between
the new executive and republica n
leaders in the Senate? Are we about
to witness an attempt by leaders in
control of this Senate to dictate to
the President. to ignore his recon-
mendations. to override his protests
in the matter of foreign policies?
The manner in which this matter
has been brought into the Senate and
handled in the Senate is perhaps
without precedent. 1t is apparently
to be put through by machinery Not
a speech has been made in support
of II, not even speech by the SEN
ator who introduced il. not even a
speech by the senator who report ed
it from the committee. No discussion
as to its merits: no consideration of
its effects.
"A resolution involving the foreign
policy of the United States and as
suming to dictate to the President of
the United States is to be pushed to
a vote here without apparently any
effort to explain it's meaning or JUS
tify its enactment. 1t is to he rushed
gas franchise or city contract is rail-
roaded through city council when
the votes can be depended upon
Would Have Little Effect.
Senator Hitchcock said that in his
judgment the adoption of the resolu-
tion would have little effect in the
United States and practically none
abroad" He argued that it was futile
to attempt repeal of the state of war,
IN of
declared when the law was passed
March repeating virtually ali war
time legislation.
Reservation of rights to German
property in this country, Senator
Hitchcock said was idle.
we can do this without any resolu-
ton. he declared. "A resolution to
do it adds nothing to our rights or
powers. 1t is not worth the paper
it's written on unless Germany agrees
to it.
Say Terms Restrict.
Terms of the resolution. Senator
Hitchcock contended. restrict the
President. but they do not bind Ger
many. when we have abandoned the
Versailles treaty" he continued. I'VE
have abandoned all rights under il.
Will bind Germany. although II NAV
embar. ass the Presidcnt.'
Kellogg Makes Reply.
Senator Kellogg. republican. Mime
sofa. challenged Senator HItchcock' G
contention thai the war law ren.,I
resolution had the effect of declaring
the war ended technically and legally.
He said the repeal resolution applied
merely 10 specific laws
Senators Borah, reDublican Jdabo
and Reed. democrat. Missouri. denied
Senator Hiichcock's assertion that the
Knox resolution !nterfered with func-
tions of the President Senator Borab
said that clearly fell within the DOW
ers or Congress. Senator Reed sug-
aes'ed that the Nebraska senator
overlooked the direct invitation in
President Harding's address to Con-
gress FOR congressional resolution to
end the state of war
Agree to vot..
An informal agreement to vote on
the peace resolution before adjourn
ment tomorrow was reached by the
republicans and democrats yesterday
afternoon. That the resolution will
he put through is conceded by all the
senators.
The resolution was under rre by
Senator Underwood of Alabama. dem
ocratic leader OF the Senate. yester-
day afternoon. The Alabama senator
assailcd the resolution as "inoppor-
tune" in view Of reparations negotia-
tions. and also as an 'aba ndonment"
of the allies. He declared 1t would
compromise the honor OF our peo-
pie" and make the United States an
outsider" In claiming the Island Of
Yap or other war settlements
Senator Mcclellan. democrat. Ten
nessee. interjected statement that
the resolution was unprecedented
and that the United States could not
reserve claims under the treaty Of
Versailles without being party TO
that treaty. Senator Borah, repub!t-
can. Idaho. replied that II was IA
good precedent 10 be established
I'VE may not have right to sxpect
that the party in power should ratify
the treaty Of Versailles. bu, we do
have a right 20 expect the conclusion
Of a peace which would be in accord
with this aims II the war" Senator
Underwood said.
NEGROES KILLED IN RAID.