Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1921-04-11
Attention
Centers c. /
Much Interest vi Stand Hard.
ing Will Take Toward Yer.
sailles Treaty in Message
To Congress.
Both Factions Confident
BY ARTHUR SEARS HENNING.
Chicago Tribune Omaha Bee Leased Wire.

Chicago Trlbune-Omaha Bee Leased Wire.
Washington, April l0-While the
message President Harding will read
to congress on Tuesday will be de-
voted mainly to domestic reconstruc-
ton policies, which he deems OF
paramount importance to the nation,
the attention of the world will be
conferred upon his utterances con-
cerning the peace program he con-
templates.
The president has completed the
rough draft of his message which
will be revised and sent to the print
er tomorrow. He is scheduled to
appear before a joint session OF the
two houses about / p. m. Tuesday.
There is great curiosity through
out the capital as to the final decision
reached by the executive on the peace
program, a curiosity which probably
will not be satisfied in any substantial
degree before the delivery OF the
message. .
Both Sides Confident.
The irreeoncilables are confident
the president will make clear his
complete rejection of the Versailles
treaty and his intention to restore
peace with Germany by some such
process as that of the Knox resolu-
ton.
Opponents OF separate peace with
Germany are equally confident he
will shape a course for eventual
ratification of the treaty with reserva-
tions withholding Americas adher-
ence from the league Of nations cove
nant and such of the peace terms
proper as would involve the United
States politically in European at
fairs.
The only point on which there is
genera! agreement is that the Wilson
covenant of the league of nations
will be definitely rejected. There also
is general expectation that the presi-
dent will declare for the co-opera-
ton of the United States with Euro
pean nations in the stabilization OF
world peace. ..,.
Factor of Uncertainty.
Whether Mr.. Harding has been
dissuaded in any important respect
from the course of action to which
he appeared to be committed early
last week is the factor of uncertain
ty in the situation tonight. At that
time the president expressed the
opinion that there is no predicable
basis for an American peace program
in the Versailles treaty, particular
ly as he also observed that he saw
no reason for a marked reversal OF
attitude on his previous support OF
the Knox resolution.
If peace were to be made by rati-
fication of the Versailles treaty, even
with radical and far-reaching reser-
yations, there would be markell
reversal attitude on the Knox resolu-
ton, for which, in that event, there
would be no occasion. Z -
The president has examined with
care the suggestion Of ratifying the
Versailles treaty for which he voted
with reservations, in a way to leave
US committed to the enforcement OF
practically nothing but the repara.-
tions terms and at one time he said
that if he could put such ratitica-
ton through the senate in reason
ably short time, he would prefer that
course. He was advised by numerous:
senator's, however, that proposal
to ratify any part OF the treaty
would precipitate prolonged con-
test in the senate, whereas a peace
program based on the Knox resolu-
ton or some variation thereof, would
produce little opposition.
Might Call Conference.
One course of procedure that has
been under serious consideration at
the White House is congressional
declaration of peace with Germany,
to be followed by an economic
conference of the United States and
ing between the United States and
the allies for the solution of the fnan-
ciai problems in Europe in which the
payment of the American loans to
the allies is involved. 1t has been
suggested that such conference
might lead to formal understand
ing between the United tSates and
the allies, by which the United States
would accept the reparations and
economic provisions of the Versailles
treaty without underwriting the pro-
visions which would involve us po-
iitically in European affairs. 80,
The president has stated to the ad-
vocates of the Knox resolution that
he desires no adoption of this meas
ure for the reason that the peace pro-
gram OF the United States is depend
ent in some important respects upon
the outcome Of negotiations with the
allies on pending matters of con-
troversy, presumably in particular,
the zap and other mandates disputes.
Secretary of State Hughes is un-
derstood to have asked for delay in
order to give him free hand in deal.
ing diplomatically with these prob
lens.
@. YlIl NJ nx