Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-20
Separate
Pact
Proposed
Independent Agreement With
Germany Said to Be Plan
OF United States
Government.
Sounding Out Allies
Sounding Out Allies
BY ARTHUR SEARS HENNING.

BY ARTHUR SEARS HENNlNG.
Chicago Tribune Omaha Bee Leased Wire.
Washington, July l9.-Ncgotia-
ton Of separate peace treaty with
Germany, embodying such provi-
sions of the Versailles treaty as are
acceptable to the United States is
projected by President Harding as
the next move in carrying out his
peace program.
That the United State, is sound
ing the German government on the
proposal through Ellis Dresel, Amer
ican commissioner at Berlin, was
authoritatively confirmed today.
Administration officials declined to
affirm or deny a report that the al
lies are also being sounded on their
views of this mode of effecting a
peace settlement between Germany
and the United States.
If the move for a separate treaty
succeeds, the United States will set
tie war accounts with Germany in
dependently of the allies, but on vir-
tually identical terms, so far as they
go, and the Versailles treaty will not
be resubmitted to the senate.
Move in Mind.
Presumably President Harding had
this outcome in mind when he stated,
according to republican leader, that
he did not contemplate resubmitting
the Versailles treaty to the senate
for ratification, even with reserva:-
tions. 49,.
If the effort to negotiate separate
treaty Incorporating some OF the
terms of the Versailles treaty should
fail. the administration would be
confronted with the problem Of ef-
fecting a settlement with Germany
III some other manner. The only
alternative then, according to the op-
ponents of separate treaty, would
be the resubmission OF the Versailles
treaty to the senate for ratification
with reservations Withholding Amer
lean acceptance of the league of
nations covenant and all other pro-
visions except those involving Amer
ican rights and interests.
Germany signed the Versailles
treaty under a degree Of compulsion
which the United States cannot ex-
ert TO procure German acceptance
of identical terms in separate
treaty.
Advantageous to Germany. e
While some believe that Berlin
will resist and hold out for contes'
sions. it is contended that Germany
will find it advantageous to yield
The United States has $500 ,OO, ,0N
of German property, more than suf'
ficient to satisfy all American war
claims against Germany. and car
refuse to resume diplomatic ano
commercial relations until satisfac-
tory treaty is signed.
If Germany rejects separate
treaty she will drive the United
States toward the last resort OF
ratification of the Versailles treaty
which would impose the same terms.
and moreover. Join America formal
ly with the allies in the enforce
ment of the terms America accepts
If separate treaty should be
signed the United States would be
only informally associated with the
allies, as at present. in the enforce
ment Of such terms as America
agrees to impose upon Germany.
The allies are being sounded on
the presidents plan, not only be-
cause settlement with Germany
involves an agreement between the
United States and the allies on the
joint interest in German reparations
and former German properties, but
because the allies, under the Yer
sailles treaty, virtually control Ger
many and have it in their power to
veto any traditional obligations the
Berlin government might undertake.