New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-04-13

for declaration of peace by resolu-
ton. followed by negotiations, pro-
vided for in the resolution, of a new
treaty with Germany. while the Har-
ding Hughes plan provides for the dec
laration of peace with Germany by
resolution, with all American rights
under the Versailles treaty safeguarded
in q clause inserted in that resolution,
and later what practically amounts to
the negotiation of new treaty with
the Allies, fitting this country into
such sections Of the Versailles treaty
as affect this country's interests and
such sections as this country approves.
SO that the main contrast is that
under the Knox plan the negotiations
TO follow the passage Of the peace reso
luton would be with Germany, while
under the Harding Hughes plan the
negotiations would be with the Alucs.
Another way to state the contrast
between what was announced to-day
and the "irreconcilable" plan would be
that the American rights involved in
the ending of the war with Germany
would be safeguarded under the ~
reconcilable plan under treaty to be
negotiated with Germany, and under
the Harding plan would be safeguard
ed by approving the Versailles treaty
with reservations and notifications. -
The President pointed out the ex-
IRENE difficulty of negotiating a sep
a,ate treaty with the Central powers.
as directed in the original Knox reso-
luton, because the problem is one of
adjustment between America and the
Allies of properties and territories
taken from Germany. which properties
already in the hands of the Allies. In
TACT, everything in which American
rights are involved Is already in the
hands of the Allies, so that negotia-
tons with Germany on the subject
would be rather futile.
Congress Welcomes Peace Program
There was no doubt tonight that
Congress had welcomed the Harding
peace plan. 1t was received with en-
thusiasm, even what has been termed
the irreconcilable element manifesting
strong approval. Some of the rrecon-
cilable Senator's apparently are not
very fearful that much will come of
the association of nations. They ex-
pect this to disappear in thin air as
time goes on. Some of them are not
even worrying about the Versailles
treaty. They dwelt with smiling en-
phasis on the words seem" and "as-
Stunning, of course" in the Presidents
sentence: THE wiser course would
seem to be the acceptance of the con-
frmation of our rights and interests
as already provided and to engage un-
der the existing treaty, assuming, of
course, that this can be satisfactorily
accomplished by such explicit reserva-
tons and notifications as will secure
our absolute freedom from inadvisable
commitments and safeguard all our es-
sential interests"
The irreconcilable Senators reserved
the right to object to ratification of
the Versailles treaty as it may be
amended by negotiation with the Allies
s. far as this government is concerned,
but most of them privately confessed
they did not see how much objection
could be raised to Versailles treaty
pruned down to only that which con-
ccrned American interests and with
controversial territorial questions elm
mated.
lrreconcilabIes TO Have Chance
While what might be called the
iirreconcilable line of thought of the
last few weeks has suffered stiff re-
lection at the hands of the President.
the irreconcilable position which was
maintained throughout the treaty fight
in their opinion was pretty much sus-
tanned by the President, for there will
be textual amendments of the Yer
sallies treaty before the Senate is
asked to approve it, Or at least if
different technical proceeding followed
and the whole treaty is sent hy the
President to the Senate after his
negotiations with the Allies looking to
changes, then the Senate will strike out
every section of the treaty to which OBJ
lection was raised by any of their num-
Der during the two years debate.
The Senate will never be asked, in
short, to approve any section of the
Versailles treaty to which any irrec-
oncllabie objected during the fight.
SO even the most determined of the
treaty killers during the fight against
Mr.. Wilson We're issuing pleased state
ments this afternoon, approving Presi-
dent Harding's message, always with
a reservation that, of course, they
would have to look at his association
Of nations plan before speaking about
that
Cheers Greet League Statement
While the storm of cheers greeting
the Presidents announcement that the
League of Nations was dead echoed
and reechoed the French Ambassador,
NJ. Jusserand sat with arms folded and
lead slightly bowed. AS the President
continued his announcement concern
ing the league NJ. Jusserand was seen
to slowly nod his head, his eyes fixed
on the President and seemingly in
hearty accord with what the Chief Elk
ccutive said. Following the reading of
the message the French Ambassado
motored to the White House executive
offices, where he received copy. Asked