New-York tribune., 1921-04-29
Nelson Attacks
Knox Peace as
Blow at Allies
Fears Passage Would For
tify German Reluctance
TO Pay Reparations and
Disarm in Present Crisis
Vote Expected Tomorrow
Underwood Insists Resolu-
ton iii Spirit Abandons
L ern for France

from me Tribune's Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, April 2s.-Debatc
over the Knox peace resolution began
in the Senate to-day. 1t was charac-
tcrized by attacks on the measure by
Senator Nelson, Of Minnesota, veteran
Republican, Senator Underwood and
other Democratic members. Running
through the criticism was the argu-
ment that to adopt the resolution
would encourage Germany to take a
firmer stand against the Allies in the
present crisis with respect to repara-
tions.
The question Of repnrations may be-
come still more prominent in the de-
bate. Several Senators are disposed to
offer amendments which will commit
this country to stand by the Allies
reparation demands. Senator Sterling,
OF South Dakota, Republican, sub
mitted one of these amendments to
Senator Knox to-day. Senator Knox be-
lieves the resolution ought not to be
complicated with amendments Of this
kind and that in the end it will be
adopted without change.
Unless there is a change in the stu
alton, the resolution will be voted on
before adjournment Saturday. Such an
arrangement was informally made this
afternoon. Senator Lodge said debate
would go on tomorrow and close Sat-
urday.
Nelson Fears Aid to Germans
Senator Nelson's attack is in line
with his position heretofore. He voted
against it in the last Congress.
He began his address by saying Ger
many was responsible for the war;
that she had long prepared for it, and
that her methods were more cruel and
barbarous than those of piracy. He
said Germany is evading and procrasti-
mating with reference to reparations,
hoping to benefit thereby and possibly
from this country.
THE course pursued in establishing
final peace by the Knox resolution" !"
Senator Nelson said, "is unusual, halt
ing, equivocating and only partial and
peacemeal work, emitting some Of the
most important essentials for a just
permanent and lasting peace
1.-TWO of the most important and
vital matters pertaining to just and
permanent peace = disarmament and
reparations-ar entirely omitted. The
resolution places our country in an atti
tude of total Indifference in regard to
these vital subjects. Germany has
heretofore been most reluctant to
comply with the reparation and dis
armament provisions of the Versailles
Treaty. Will not the passage of this
resolution tend to increase and fortify
such reluctance?
"Ry this resolution we insist upon
full reDaration for ourselves, but are
wholly oblivious as to whether our
Allies, by whose side and aid we van
i,t RI
reparaton at all We are also wholly
oblivious to the disarmament Of Ger
many-a matter most vital to the
future peace of the world.
Says Move Endangers France
"Under this peace resolution we
have no ground for insisting on the
it is of vital interest to our country
and to the civilized world that the
integrity of the French Republic, it's
people and country, should be pre-
served and left untrammeled to work
out its own salvation without the
menace of war constantly hanging over
it's head. 1t would be blow to the
civilized world to suffer France to be
obliterated or crushed"
The Senator insisted the spirit of
the Knox resolution was to "abandon
concern for France"
Senator Underwood followed Senator
Nelson. ~ cannot understand why the
majority party desires to repeal the
resolution declaring war;" said he, "be-
cause you do not wipe out existing
facts by repeating legislation. We did
not as a matter of fact declare war
against Germany, and it places the
United States in false position to
assume that we did. We recognized
the fact that Germany had declared
war on US.
"Why do you proceed to conclude
peace in this unusual way? If it is to
be mere marker, why that is one
thing, but l do not understand your