The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-05
PEACE MEANS WAR
Factions in Washington Di-
vided Over Next Step.
Withdrawal of Troops on Rhine
Is Demanded.
CONGRESS- MAY TAKE HAND
IrreconeilabIes Expected to
Force Harding'S Hand.
President Is Undecided on Pact
With Germany.
CONGRESS- MAY TAKE HAM

Washington, July 5.-The question
of withdrawal of the American troops
from the occupation of German terri
tory on the Rhine bids fair to become
an important issue, now that peace
with Germany has been restored. un-
less President Harding should act i'm
mediateiy TO bring the forces home.
The president on his return to
Washington begins consideration of
the next moves on the peace program,
the first of which is expected to be
an executive proclamation formally
declaring the war at an end
Some administration officials are of
the opinion that the presidents step
after issuing the peace proclamation
Will be an order Withdrawing the
American troops from Europe. There
are, however, some extremely influ-
entail members of the cabinet who will
counsel the president to leave the
army OF occupation on the Rhine
tons between America and Germany
and America and the allies on ques-
tions arising from the war.
Congress May Take Action.
If the president does not signify his
intention of Withdrawing the troops
soon, a resolution will be introduced
in the senate, probably by Senator
Johnson of California, instructing the
secretary of war to order the forces
hO1I1e 1tlln Is the move determined
upon by the senate irreconcilables.
They hold that congress may con-
stitutionally instruct the secretary of
war tho not the president, and they
have considered the contingency of
the president directing the secretary
of war to ignore the Instructions of
congress. thus preeipitating a clash be-
tween the executive and legislative
branches of the government.
1t is more likely, however, that if
the president desires to retain the
troops in Europe, the administration
leaders would block passage of with
drawal resolution by congress.
Under the terms of the peace reso-
luton, all rights acquired by the
United States under the armistice and
the Versailles treaty are reserved and
one of these rights is the occupation
of German territory by American
troops. So, there is authority to re-
tain the troops on the Rhine and the
only question is how long it is to the
interest of the United States to keep
| them there.
Still Have Interests"
The president has declared the
United States interested in the German
indemnity settlement and 1t is pend
ing the payment of the PREPARATIONS
} that allied troops are to remain on the
Rhine for fifteen years. Coblenz,
where the American troops are sta
toned. is to be evacuated in ten years
II the treaty terms are fulfilled by
Germany.
Mr.. Harding has detailed represen-
tatives to the reparations commission
and other bodies to deal with dues-
ttons of purely American interest, but
whether he will consider 1t necessa ~
to keep the troops in Europe in con-
nection with that purpose remains to
be seen. There are 1900 American
| troops at Coblenz being maintasned at
the expense of the United States. tho
Germany is to foot the bill under the
i treaty terms. Germany now owes
about ESQ million dollars for the
American occupation and presumably
will pay in reparation bonds.
Undecided on Treaty.
The question of retaining the troops
on the Rhine is really one of the ex-
tent to which America proposes to
participate in enforcing the German
peace terms and that will be deter
| mined only by the eventual peace
settlements Mr.. Harding negotiates
and the renate approves He is UNI
decided whether to make these set
Elements in a treaty of anity and
commerce, which eventually will be
negotiated with Germany in any event
and in treaties with the allies, or by
accepting the Versailles treaty with
reservations eliminating the league of
| nations and all provisions of the
peace terms proper. in which the
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