The New York herald., 1921-04-10
CONGRESS FACING
GREAT PROBLEMS
Continued from First Page.

y. I-e AueS toNdTu derindhy, So"io
scarcely rush through a separate peace
with Germany coulG scarcely take such
action as might encourage German
turbulence in a trying ana delicate stage
of the European problem. For this
larger reason. therefore. 1t is not likely
that haste will be displayed in showing
the Knox resolution through Congress
In fact THE NEW YORK HERALD Is as
sured from the highest sources OF knowi-
edge. that haste will not be displayed.
Passage of the resolution may have to
wait beyond May day and upon fur-
ther study OF the German attitude.
There is another reason, OF even great
~r delicacy why the Knox resolution VIII
aot he driven through Congress. This
reason has to do with the good faith OF
she Allies toward the United States
The President and his Secretary. or
state sympathize with the purposes of
the Allies m demanding fair satisfac-
ton from Germany for the wrongs she
did, for bringing on the great war. The
President and the Secretary .of state
ardenty desire 10 work with, not In any
sort OF opposition to, the Allies. All
they ask from the Allies Is fair deal
for the United States for straightout
recognition of the primary fact that the
rights and privileges Of the United
SldIcS, dt1llItu ny lilS tHilto .'NAeSS 80
the result of her admittedly nowerful
contribution TO allied victory. must be
recognized and respected by Great
britain, France Italy and japan
Nugnes's Trumpet Note.
This was the trumpet note sounded by
Secretary Hughes in the very recent bill
OF American rights which he presented
to the Allies. This is the very corner
stone of The foreign policy that is being
formulated by the Harding Administra-
ton It's Importance cannot be overesti-
mated. 1t sweeps away the League of
Nations, all secret treaties and agree
ments made without the cognizance OF
the United States and before the Unfeed
States entered the war; goes back to the
courageous and self-respecting era OF
American foreign relations of the Cleve-
land and Roosevelt Administrations and
calmly informs the world without
trace of staggering or swashbuckling
that America KNOWS ,ner rights and Is
prepared to stand upon them.
The celerity with which the Knox res
olution makes its way through Congress
and up to the President depends In part
upon the attitude the Allies take toward
this bill of American rights. An answer
or the answers to Secretary Hughes's
identic notes may not be had for some
weeks The time is problematical. I'm
III an answer is had and until the Presi-
dent and Secretary Hughes comprehend
utterly the actual intentions of the Al
lies the Knox resolution must mark
time
If.-th answer is satisfactory 1t is
likely the Knox resolution will go through
IN some form satisfactory to the Allies
It may be rewritten, in fact 1t may be
condensed to not much more than
simple statement, the effect of which
will be that state of war between the
United States and Germany no longer
exists. TT the answer Is unsatisfactory
the resolution will go through without
so much consideration for the feelings
or the Allies That Is the truth of the
matter.
In the meantime the situation is
clouded by factors thoroughly under
stood only by the President Secretary
Hughes and members OF the Senate For
eign Rel ltions Committee.
Soon after Congress meets Senator
Knox will introduce his resolution with
out Section S, which guarantees that the
United States will come the aid or
civilization in case of another European
outbreak The resolution will be re-
ferred to the Foreign Relations Com
rnittee and there it will rest for time,
how short or long II is utterly impossible
to say at this writing. When 1t does
come out for consideration there will be
d contest over it's passage. Also when
ever the Administration wants 1t passed
It will have its will.
The proposed treaty with Colombia,
drawn to satisfy the claims and griev-
ances of Colombia growing out OF the
origin of the republic of Panama and
the simultaneous acquisition by Presi-
dent Roosevelt of the Panama Canal
site, is the first measure of Importance
that will come before the Senate. The
treaty draft will be introduced Monday.
Tho agreement is that vote must be
had after eight days OF consideration.
There are some Senators of the old
Roosevelt following who will oppose the
treaty because of a feeling that any
money payment to Colombia would be
an insult to the memory of Roosevelt
A few Senators listed as Republicans"
arc not regular" in any sense Of the
word and will be prone to make trouble
all along the line. But Harding and
Hughes will have their way in the mat
ter of the Colombian treaty as in other
questions of foreign policy.
. Many conferences held In the first
month of this Administration have pro-
duced the conclusion that the President
and the Secretary OF State cannot sue
G>cessfully be opposed in their constltu-
. tional prerogative Of initiating foreign
policies and the Republican majorities in
the Senate and House are large enough
for all the political control necessary
Kellogg (Minn), Poindexter (Wash.),
Johnson OCal.) and Borah Udaho) are
among the Republicans who will fight
against adoption of the treaty. Watson
(Dem. Ga.) will make his maiden speech
against IL. Shields (Dem., TENN is also
opposed to It, Lodge CMass.) and Knox
(Pa) will lead the conest for 1t.
A contest over the proposal to limit
armament and to reduce the size Of the
navy Is sure to occupy the attention of
the Senate in this extraordinary session.
This contest will arise in the considera-
tion of the naval Appropriation bill.
which failed AT the last session and
which must be passed before the end OF
the present fiscal year. June 20. There
is a graf deal more talk and theorizing
over naval disarmament and naval
holiday than there is substance to the
idea.
II can be taken for granted that the
new Congress, swayed by the inspiration
Of the President. the Secretary OF State
and the Secretary Of the Navy, Will not
send any thought waves toward the
Capitol about weakening the first line
of American defence. X is known that
the President and his principal ad-
visers are strongly in favor OF strong
navy. OF maintaining the naval pro-
gramme set for completion In 1894 and
which will make the United States the
foremost naval power.
Unquestiona5;ry the Ssns,e will re-