New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-04-03
French Fear Effect Abroad

Such statement, if made formal
~ at the time the Knox resolution
is passed, would. it is thought, pre-
vent the passage Of the resolution
from having a great moral effect or
Europe, which is what the French
really fear. They have made it clear
that it is not the technical establish
ment of peace with Germany to
which they object, but the impression
which such an action might create
in Europe that the United States
was not in sympathy with the
French insistence that Germany
should be compelled to make the
reparations demanded.
If at the same time that the formal
action restoring peace were taken the
Administration should make it clear II
an official statement that this govern
ment has not withdrawn its sympathiee
from the French claims for reparations,
then, it is declared, the French would
have very little objection to the resolu-
tion itself. despite the fact that il was
to block this resolution as much as
anything else that Niviani came TO the
United States.
Divided Over Postponement
1t was in the hope of provoking an
immediate public statement OF friend
ship for France. and sympathy with
=
statement he made after his visit t.
the White House However, this gov
ernment replied not with a forms.
public statement, bat with 4 statement
made to newspaper correspondents By
spokesman OF the Administration,
weakened by an injunction that no
one was to be quoted.
On the question of obtaining delay
in the passage of the Knox resolu-
tion there is grave division Of opin
ion. Some Of the Senators, who have
been ardently for the Knox resolu-
tion are displeased at the suggestion
OF postponemenr, but, whatever may
be President Harding's final deter
miflation on this, there are various
circumstances which are playing into
the hands Of the French.
There has been a movement under
fore Viviani came to this country look
ing to delaying action on the Knox
resolution until after some of the more
pressing domestic legislation had been
put through. Those who agree with
this policy will naturally line up solid
ly with those who wish TO grant the
desires of the French for postponemen,
of thi. resolution for international
reasons.
Harding Views in Doubt
Meanwhile the President. il s.
learned, although he has firmly held
TO the belief, SO often announced in his
campaign speeches, that the Knox
resolution should be passed, has no.
decided definitely whether 10 urge that
It be considered Immediately TO the
exclusion Of all other business before
the Senate. During the campaign Mr
Harding left no doubt that he wanted
an Immediate declaration Of peace with
Germany. His advisers to-day are
not sure whether he will insist on i,
or not. They lean slightly TO the be-
lief that his ultimate decision will per
nit some little delay.
II this slight Welding. in addition 70
the strategy of those Senators who are
more eager for other legislation
should result in preventing passage OF
the resolution until some little time
after May !, the French win be de
lighted. That is the date they have
fixed for their further invasion o.
Germany, in a final efFor, 20 compel
her to agree to the reparations terms
as the sanctions under the Treaty O.
Versailles then become finally effec
tive.
AS was pointed oat in The Tribune,
Washington dispatches yesterday, tn,
French are extremely nervous for fea,
any indication OF disapproval Of he
drastic measures with Germany on tn
part Of the United States might rous
uI' British and Italian objections I,
those measures. These objections wer
silenced temporarily BY the tore Of III
LAST German reply, particularly by he