The Washington herald., 1921-05-28
Leaders of Lower Body
Take Steps to Break
Old Prerogative.
HARDING APPROVES
INSURGENT CAUSE
Senate Peace Resolution
Very Much Changed
By House.
By ROBERT J. BENDER.

me-hOnOreQ pTeEOsee'S'
ing in the United States senate the
practice of leadership in Legislation
pertaining to foreign affairs. are
undergoing rude handling.
somewhat to the amazement and
chagrin of the austere- upper BODY
the lower branch of congress has
suddenly established the practice OF
checking up. correcting, and even
overrulins the senate's proposals
touching foreign affairs. The
change in the usual procedure Is
due, frst, to the fact that house
leaders have revolted against the
practice Of the senate jamming
through it's own ideas and Ian
guage on such measures. There has
developed a growing manifestation
among house leaders to jealously
guard it's rights. holding, as many
leaders do, that it is more repre-
sentative of public opinion both be-
cause it has a greater membership
elected every two years, while sena-
tors are elected every four or six
years.
New Leaders Appear.
In the second place, the house
has developed leaders on inter-
national affairs far above the aV-
eraEe. and it is the study by these
leaders of senate PROPOSALS that
has resulted in the corrective at
titude" of the lower branch.
The first real development in this
unique situation is about ready TO
be put UP to the senate. The house
foreign affairs committee yesterday
completed its ma aJority draft of the
deelaratory peace resolution. which
y both "corrects" and broadens the
Knox resolution passed by the sem
ate
The second development is found
in a decision by house leaders to
correct and broaden the senate's
proposal for a disarmament confer
ence.
Text wording Changed.
of repeating the declaration of war
as provided in the Knox resolution.
the house draft merely states that
the war is at an end. House leaders
pointed out-and won President
Harding's support of this change
that a repeal of the war declaration
would be tantamount to wiping out
the record that this country entered
the struggle because Germany
waged an unjust war on us. The
house draft also changes the Knox
language by more adequately pro-
viding safeguards about alien prop
erty sequestered in this country
and about rights accruing to the
United States under the Versailles
treaty In these changes. also, the
best minds of the house were sup
ported by the executive end of the
avenue in preference to the best
minds of the senate.
The House committee will meet
to report ont its resolution next
Thursday, and prompt action is
promised. There will follow then
the necessity of the senate bowling
to the Judgment of the house on a
foremost piece of foreign policy
legislation for the first time in
many years.
Plans New Act.
House leaders regard the senate
armament reduction rider to the
navy appropriation bill as wholly
Inadequate to meet the demands of
the situation. House Leader Mon
dell went to the White house to-
day. and after a conference with
the President. declared that the
house would initiate an entirely
different proposal on this highly
important foreign policy matter. In
stead of limiting the proposed dis
armament conference to France
England. Japan and the United
states and further limiting 1t t.
naval reductions, as the measure
was passed by the senate after deep
consideration of the senate leaders.
the house measure will authorizes:
That the President may call at
his convenience a conference of any
or all of the world powers 70 con-
slider reduction Of ornaments.
That in such consideration pro-
posed reductions should embrace
sea. land and air forces combined.
1t would appear from this that
once again the house leaders have
proved more in tune both with pub
lie sentiment and with the purpose
of the President. And eventually,
1t may well be predicted. the house
course on this foreign policy will
prevail. even as it's course on the
peace resolution will supersede that
OF the senate.
More Time Needed.
II will require some time for the
house to formulate the general dis
armament resolution II has in mind
There is no need for hurry because
there is no intention of the Presi-
dent to call such a conclave for
some time. His ideas on disarma-
nuent are well known: he looks for
ward to the day when he can take
the step in the desired direction
That day, however. is not yet here.
World conditions are not favorable
for IL now. For example. IL may
we'll be realized what dificulty
there would be in attempting TO
persuade France to reduce her pres
ent standing army of 100000 men
when she has the Rahr invasion. the
silesian problem and other mill
tary measures constantly before
her.