The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-09-25
new PEACE TREATY
WITH GERMANY WAS
ARGUED in SENATE
Senator Lodge Presents Letter
From President Harding Re
questing Prompt Action.
BORAH AND REED
OPPOSE TREATY
Republican and Democratic CIR
reconcilables7 viii Make
Determined Fight.


WASHINGTON, Sept. 24.-Echoes OF
the Versailles treaty fight resounded to-
day as the senate began debate in open
session on the new peace treaty with
Germany. The lines were drawn with an
opening statement in behalf Of the new
treaty by Senator Lodge. OF Massachu-
sets, republican leader and chairman Of
the foreign relations committee and an
initial broadside in opposition by Senator
Borah, Of Idaho, republican "lrreconcila-
bic"
a Confidence In early ratification was ex-
pressed by Senator Lodge as he presented
letter from President Harding request
ing prompt action $50 that we may put
aside the last remnant Of war relationship
and hasten our return to the fortunate
relations OF peace"
Opposition was indicated. however, in
addition 70 Senator Borah by Senator
Reed. OF Missouri, q democratic "irrecon-
cllabie." while several other democrats
admitted THAT they would criticize the
new treaty.
Senator Lodge declared that there was
no alternative in establishing peaceful re-
lations with Germany. other than the
pending Or similar treaty and PRESIDENT
Harding. in the letter presented by Mr..
Lodge. asserted that the new peace trea-
Nlta aAt IN compete harmony with the
rosoltion (the Knox Porter peace meas
ure) adopted BY the congress; indeed they
are the outcome OF the executives en-
deaver 10 carry out the expressed wish OF
the congress"
Discussing the reservations favored BY
The foreign relations committee Senator
Lodge said he did not believe that offered
BY Senator Pomerene, democrat. OF Ohio.
extending 70 tho American individual the
property protection accorded under the
treaty 10 the United States. to be abso-
iutely necessary, but was agreeable to its
Incorporation. Senator Pomerena took
Issue on the point OF necessity declaring
Lusitnnia disaster and other claimants
should be protected.
The republican leader supported strong
~ this other committee reservation to re-
uuira an act OF congress before appoint
ment OF an American representative on
the PREPARATIONS or other foreign commits
sions. saying Il constituted sound pro-
cndure."
Senator King, democrat, Utah, asked
II the administration Intended to particle
pate IN the PREPARATIONS commission and
Senator Lodge In reply said he did not
know whether the administration had de-
cided to recommend appointment Of an
American IN the commission.
1T might seem very desirable to ba
represented IN the PREPARATION commits
Hlon," Senator Lodge added but / do
not believe that involves us in anything
Of the relation OF an alliance"
Wen be back IN the league Of nation"
lnterjeoted Senator Watson, democrat, of
Georges III we so into the ante-cham-
Der. we're pretty sure to be led into the
living room. The question is whether
this treaty. IN it's ambiguous clauses. win
not be tho beginning OF our entrance into
The league"
Senator Lodge replied that he saw no
Buch danger and that congress had to be
trusted 70 decide whether America should
loin the Preparations commission.
Discussing withdrawal Of American
roops efrom Germany, Senator Borah
said that presence Of troops was requisite
to execution OF the Versailles treaty.
II am IN favor OF Withdrawing Amer
lean troopa." he continued. "But ! am
not IA favor OF claiming rights and b6ne-
tits under the Versailles treaty which |
French troops secure. II we are to have
their advantages. then every moral sense /
insists that we shall do our part in the |
execution OF tho treaty.
I'VE cannot take the position and main |
lain n before the world. that we win I
place on France the burden OF executing .
the treaty and then claim all the priv !
7peges II is an intolerable. an indefensi- !
Sic position and I predict we will not
naintin Il long.
I'VE are tied in. completely to the
Versailles treaty. We can never get any i
benefit from It except as we help execute
IT,"
1T would be necessary to secure rights
lrom tho reparations commission Sena-
Tor Borah argued. "or else maintain our l
position as a separate and independent |
power
III any man thinks he has escaped the
league OF nations by getting into q re-
Darations commission" Senator Borah L
added. 'sbe'll be due for a sad awakening
after no gets Ia there"
Senator Reed said he thought treaty l
u peace was to settle the difficulties with /
Germany. the Knox resolution, he argued. 4
having ended the state OF war.
''This treaty." said Mr. Reed, settled l
more Of these questions. 1t leaves us in
NE same position as the Knox resolution,
except that Germany accepts"