New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-01
Kelley, of Michigan, Only
Opposing Republican {;
Senate Gets Measure
and Sharp DebateOpens
Passage Assured
This Afternoon
Sales of Alien Property
Up; Bergdoll Estate
Seizure Puzzles Knox

From The Tribune'8 Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, June 30.-After de-
batting the compromise peace resolution
for but little more than an hour and a
half, the House passed the measure to-
day by vote of 263 to SO. Of those
opposing the resolution fifty eight
were Democrats and one-Representa-
tive Patrick H. Kelley, of Mich,gan-a
Republican.
The resolution then was sent to the
Senate. 1t was called up late in the
day by Senator Lodge and aroused
sharp discussion. The debate was not
concluded, and at the suggestion of
Senator Underwood, Democratic leader.
the Senate recessed until tomorrow
with the understanding debate would
be at once resumed Passage of the
resolution by the Senate tomorrow
afternoon is regarded as assured.
Senator Hitchcock declared the res
olution futile. He said the Admins
tration must decide to enter the Ver
sallles treaty with notifications or
make separate treaty with Germany.
Property Rights Discussed
Much of The Senate discussion re-
lated to the technical effects of the
property rights provisions. Senator
McCunber wanted to know of Senator
Knox whether, in view of the fact the
alien property act rad not been re-
pealed, the Alien Property Custodian
could go on seizing chc property of
alien enemies even though under the
resolution there were no longer alien
enemies.
Senator Knox said there could be no
further seizures, but the Alien Property
Custodian could continue to administer
the property already seized. He added
that the property in the hands of the
custodian would be retained until Ger
many had satisfied American claims, 4
Senator Knox said further, referring
20 the sections relating to American
rights:
This resolution is only suggestion
to the, President that when we come to
make the terms of treaty these things
ought to be taken care of. The status
may be such that when we come to ne
gotlate that treaty we may make the
that it will require more drastic
terms
IF this had been the law two months
ago could BergdolPs property have been
seized" asked Senator Edge.
The Bergdoll case is mystery to
me-" said Senator Knox. II cannot
figure out how Berdoll can be at the
same time an alien enemy and also sub
Ject to the draft"
Senator Hitchcock recalled that in
1870 Senator Knox favored renouncing
CLAIMS Tor indemnity against Germany.
He thought the terms Of the resolution
inconsistent with this speech.
Senator Knox said he would go as far
as any Senator in trying to deal with
Germany on terms of liberality, but he
believed the resolution should safe
guard every American right.
Walsh Assails Resolution
Senator Walsh said it was "perfectly
obvious" the resolution contemplated
treaty to follow. He said it must be
regarded as in the nature of instruc-
tions to the Administration.
He assailed the resolution at length
as exacting things of Germany more
severe than the terms of the armistice
and in violation of the armistice.
Virtually all Of the discussion in the
tack made by Democratic leaders
against part of the section providing
for the protection of American rights |
In the provisions confirming the ac-
tions of the Alien Property Custodian
no reference was made to the sales of
property seized from Germans and Aus
trians.
The charge was made by Representa-
tive Henry D. Flood, ranking Democrat
of the Committee on Foreign Affairs,
that the omission of a confirmation of
the sales endangers the titles of Ameri-
can purchasers of dye patents and that
as a result the former German owners
may recover to the loss of Americans.
Hundreds of lawyers in New York
and other cities have been retained by
the Germans to fight these cases and
to endeavor to take away from Ameri-
can citizens the property they pur-
chased in good faith" said he. at is
a disgrace that the conferees have not
granted protection to these American
purchasers, many of whom bought Ger
man patents to put the American in
dustry on a parity with Germany.
Continued next pass)