Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1921-04-04
HopeofU.S.
Abandoned
Former French Premier Gives
Up Idea That America Will
Ratify Treaty Of
Versailles.
Expects Separate Peace
By ARTHUR SEARS HENNING.
Chicago Tribune Omaha Bee Jeased Wire.


authoritative evidence that iormer
Premier Niviani has abandoned hope
OF the United States ratifying the
Versailles peace treaty or entering
the league OF nations, was fortheom-
ing tonight from an important men,
Der OF the French delegation.
1t now appears that NJ. Niviani,
after his consultations with Presi-
dent Harding, Secretary OF State
Hughes, Senator Lodge and other
leaders, is convinced the Harding adj
lninistration intends to re-establish
peace with Germany by means OF the
Knox resolution.
The authority for this disclosure
is none other than Stephane Lau-
zanne, editor of lie Matin, who ac-
companied NJ. Niviani to this coun-
try. NJ. Lauzanne himself had a
conference yesterday with President
Harding.
There appeared in lie Matin to-
day, a cable dispatch from M. Lau-
zanne, the following excerpt from
which was cabled to this country to-
night:
THE American senate will vote the
Knox resolution for separate peace
with Germany.
No Chance for Treaty.
Neither President Harding, Sec
fetary of State Hughes nor the
American senate will ever ratify the
Versailles treaty or the league of ma
tons.
THE sooner the French people
place themselves before this reality,
however hard it may be, the better
! for France"
When NJ. Lauzanne was asked to-
night whether he confirms the ac-
curacy of this excerpt from his dis
patchJ he said:
Il don't recall whether made
the statement referring to the
Knox resolution. ] should have to
consult my cablegram to make cer-
tain"
Did you make the statement that
the treaty and the league would not
be ratifed?" he was asked.
"Yes, I think that is correct" lie
replied
"And the statement about the
| French people realizing this reality !"
"Oh, yes. yes" said M. Lauzanne.
THAT is quite correct.
Declines Discussion.
Beyond this the French editor de-
clined to discuss the situation which
the French delegation is studying.
He said he was too busy tonight to
go into details.
That NJ. Lauzanne reflects the
view of NJ. Viviani at the close of
his first week of conferences with
American officials, is taken for
granted, it. being assumed that the
distinguished French editor would
be careful to make no statement to
the French public concerning the
American situation which was not
deemed justified by the chief of the
French delegation. Comment by M.
Viviani on the Lauzanne dispatch
was not available tonight. ...
This is the first inkling youch-
safed the American public of the
information communicated to NJ.
Niviani and his associates by the
administration concerning It's atti-
tude toward the Versailles treaty
and the league. The president and
Secretary Hughes have declined to
reveal what they have had to say
concerning American policies, to the
French emissaries. Senator Lodge
also has declined to discuss his cons
ference with M. Vivani.
Will Not Aid Germany.
From the available information it
would appear that the only encourage
ment given NJ Viviani by the admin
istration was the assurance that the
United States will do nothing to aid
Germany in escaping responsibility
ior the war and payment of the
| just reparation therfor. Apparently
the administration held out no hope
OF American ratification of the Ver-
sallles treaty or entrance into the
present league of nations.
Whether such alternatives as the
elimination OF the covenant from
the treaty and American ratification
OF the peace terms proper, either re-
vised or with reservations, were dis
cussed by M. Niviani and Secretary
Hughes, has not been disclosed.
1t has been stated, however, that
il such alternative action by the
United States were deemed possi-
bility, NJ. Lauzanne would have quail
flied his statement that America
would not accept the Versailles
treaty. ...
Enthusiastically, the impression Civ
en- the French public is that the Vi
viani delegation finds the Harding
administration contemplating the re-
establishment of peace with Germany
by means OF the Knox resolutions.
There is not doubt that if the presi-
dent disapproves the Knox resolu-
ton it will not be adopted by the
senate. If he favors the measure, it
will be put through congress.