Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-06-14
PEACE RY WORDS

~ ments which have pursued the United
States In all Of its efforts to conclude its
share Of the World War is the existence OF
two separate peace resolutions sufficiently
dissimilar to provoke debate and delay the
processes Of settlement.
And yet In fundamentals these differences
are not marked. Apart from political con-
sidcratioDs, both the House and the Senate
resolutions express to certain extent weari-
ness of the wranglng over treaty making
which is so familiar an accompaniment to
the balancing of safeguards provided by the
Federal Constitution.
Senator Knox. whatever may be said Of
his basic motives, was unquestionably
pleased to imagine that a heartening start
toward peace could be made il Congress
should formally pronounce that there was
no war. Representative Porter was doubt
less inspired by kindred fancies.
Regarded abstractly these conceptions are
alluriug. There arc stanch League of Ma.
tlons partisans who cannot consistently
abuse the philosophical idea Of peace. The
so called irreconcilablcs, whatever their
opinions Of the covenant and the Versailles
pact, have not posed as champions of war.
Theoretically, the enunciation of peace,
without further instructions on procedure,
should delight everybody save inconsolable
militarists.
But once the descent to realities Is made
the simplicity Of the situation is seen to be
delusory. The Administration, while kindly
to the general principle Of declared peace,
has refrained from issuing anything like
mandatory directions to Congress. This
absence Of dictation has enabled each House
to proceed in the matter as it has seen At.
The Knox resolution. an inheritance from
the days Of contest with Democratic Execu-
tive, reveals evidence of hard wear. In
structions to the President to conclude
separate treaty with Germany have been
deleted and all that remains OF that program
is the provision that the American claims
outlined in the text shall be considered duly
protected thereby until treaty--brand not
specifed-shall establish now order. The
preamble reaches the pronunciation of peace
by the expressed repeal Of the declaration Of
war Of April g. 1917.
Representative Porter, less hampered by
traditions, preconceived policies and prec-
edents than his competitor. has frankly
condemned the repeal method as a reflection
upon the morality of our entrance into the
war. II is upon this point that the joint
conference which is to consider both reso-
lutions with n view TO harmonizng them Is
likely to be divided.
The House of Representatives is aware,
and Bourke Cochran hns lately stressed the
fact that It's prestige has perceptibly dimmed
of late. The Senate. as is well known,
plumes itself upon its influence upon foreign
affairs. Surrender will need to he registered
in some quarters II Congress with one voice
Is to proclaim the cessation Of strife with
Germany.
Assuming. however. that differences arc
eventually adjusted, it is permissible to
speculate upon the effect of the congressional
pronouncement. Peace will have arrived
because the national legislature will have
affirmed its presence. But the national po
dtion will remain anomalous and undeter
mined until our relations with the late foe
have been formally adjusted by treaty.
Unless we are content with rights"
which the resolutions insist are ours under
the Treaty Of Versailles, which we have not
signed, It is not easy TO see how We can
avoid entrance into the general pact or the
negotiation of an independent treaty with
Germany and the fragments OF the former
Austro- Hungarian Empire.
The alternatives of procedure are pre-
cisey what they we're two years ago. Reso.
luton by Congress cannot alter or modify
them.
II is asserted by friends Of the con
gressional policy that the kind Of peace
foreshadowed will be psychologically healthy.
Mental refreshment is, of course, always in
order. Considered from that viewpoint the
resolution program may be beneficial. But
its effect on world reconstruction can only
be salutary II the public is content to accept
the rareied philosophy Of Hamlet, which in
forms us that "there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes It so"
individuals capable of subscribing to that
doctrine can have naught but Commendation
for peace by resolution.
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