Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1921-04-07
Leaders Believe He viii Discuss
Foreign Affairs in Message.
LIKELY TO OUTLINE PLANS
Early Action on Knox or Some SINH.
lar Peace Resolution is Now Antici.
pated.

Washington. - That President
Harding will discuss foreign af-
fairs In his message to the extraordin-
airy session of congress is the opinion
firmly entertained by Republican lead
ers.
They believe he will outline at least
his immediate program, covering III
points which must be considered by
both branches of the legislative body.
Such features as require attention
only in the senate will be deferred I'M
til later and communicated in a spe-
cial message.
incidentally, it also is the prevailing
impression among members of con-
gress that Harding will follow the ex-
ample of Wilson and appear in person
before a joint session. No announce
ment to that effect has been made by
the president.
The probability of early action on
the Knox, or some similar peace reso-
i luton, is predicted by Republican
leaders. This follows out the idea
that Harding will take up foreign re
lations in his message The restora-
ton of peace by jount resolution will
require the approval by both senate
and house.
Many members of congress who
have conferred with the president re-
Gently declare that he has not chang
ed his views concerning the necessity
for immediate restoration Of a peace
status, and that he will promptly sign
any resolution to such effect as is laid
before slim
While congress will await the deter
mination of the president before press
ing for action any peace resolution,
there is powerful sentiment in IA
vor of the earliest possible action. 1t
is contended by many able senator's,
headed by Knox himself, that the pro-
posed plan would renew the pre-war
situation without losing the United
States any of its rights under the
treaty of Versailles. A considerable
faction believes there should be incor-
porated in the Knox resolution a de-
claration of policy which would make
plain to the allies that this country
would join them in a future conflict
under the same circumstances as those
prevailing in 1917. Unless made en-
tirely meaningless and containing
nothing but some. pleasant phrases,
any declaration of policy will be bit
terly opposed by the Borah-Johnson
group CT irreconcilables. These never
will consent to any real language that
might be construed as infringing upon
American policies or traditions 1t al
ready is apparent that a declaration
of policy Would provoke a protracted
discussion and rend the Republican
party in twain.
Another faction of Republicans
which appears to be gaining some
strength mai tains that the establish
ment of peace through a joint resolu-
ton would deprive this country of all
its rights under the treaty of Yer
sailles. These contend that 10 phrase
ology can be applied which will con-
serve effectually these rights. These
senators even go to the extent of say
ing that eventually in their presens
opinion the Versailles pact must be
accepted, either with reservations or
with the League of Nations entirely
eliminated. They assert there can be
no peace adjustment, retaining all the
benefits of the rejected treaty, withoGt
resembling its rejection and accepting
it in some form, or with appropriate
reservations.