The New York herald., 1921-04-13


sswas not something for campaign pur-
z poses, but was a pledge to the peo-
pie, which, with Secretary Hughes,
ne intends to work out as part OF
the new American foreign policy
when preliminary necessary steps
have been taken.
Prompt Passage Wanted.
The second point In the address
was that which calls for prompt pas
sage of the Knox resolution. Once
more the President made 1t clear that
he intends to live up TO every pledge
he made while running for office.
I'VE told the American people we
meant TO seek an early establishment
OF peace" he said to-day. "The
United States alone among the Allied
.and Associated Powers continues in a
technical state of war against the
Central Powers Of Europe. This
anomalous condition ought not to be
permitted to continue. To establish
the state of technical peace without
further delay l should approve
declaratory resolution by Congress to
that effect, with the qualifications es-
sential to protect all our rights. ;.
. Such a resolution should undertake
\ to do no more than thus to declare the
. state of peace which all America
Graves"
! This points Of course to early intro
duction and TO adoption in the near
future of the resolution which SEN
ator Knox of Pennsylvania has ready
for the purpose. Mr.. Knox introduced
the resolution two years ago and re-
newed it a year ago, when 1t was
passed, only to have II vetoed by
President Wilson. 1t means too that
the Knox resolution will contain no
declaration of policy such Ms is en-
bodied In a section which belonged
TO the original resolution, Section D.
This pledged the United States TO go
to the aid of her allies and associates
in case the peace OF Europe should
again be attacked. All that the Presi-
dent and Secretary Hughes desire on
the part of Congress is simple dec
laration of peace, together with the
a ssertion that American rights have
not been abandoned or surrendered in
or through any previous or existing
treaty.
Executive Responsibility.
The attitude taken by President
Harding and Secretary Hughes as re-
CARDS their responsibility for initiat-
lng this policy. especially In such
times as these. when they must feel
their way carefully and deliberately. is
very clearly stated in the address.
1T would be unwise," the President
said, ito undertake to make state
ment of future policy with respect TO
OF state of peace. In correcting the
failure Of the Executive. In negotiat-
ing the most important treaty in the
history of the nation, to recognize the
constitutional powers of the Senate,
we would SO to the other extreme.
scqually objectionable, IL Congress or
sslle Senate should assume the func-
tons of the Executive
This pronouncement is a reiteration
of the views that the President, as
President-elect, laid before Congress
when he made a brief address on re-
turning from Panama. He would care
fully recognize the rights and priv-
leges OF the Congress. he said at that
'tinc. and he would firmly insist on a
similar recognition of the rights and
prerogatives OF the Executive.
AS regards this point OF the working
relations Of Congress and the Presi-
dent, and particularly of the President
and the Senate. 1t can be stated that
there Is not the slightest misunder-
standing. disagreement or inclination
TO ntrude.
Without question the Knox resolution
viii be guided through Congress and up
It IS not likely to be passed until after
May l.
shorn Treaty NJ Basis.
The third impressive point of the ad-
dress had to do with the Presidents
rather guarded suggestion that the yer-
rallies treaty with the League Of Ma
tions covenant cut from II and abso-
lutely rejected by the United States may
yet be useful as a basis for a general
settlement by the United States with the
Allies. There Is some vaguencss in
Washington tonight as TO the pro-
gramme OF tho Administration In taking
up the excised treaty for consideration.
Senator's and Representatives in dis
cussing the matter tonight are not all
agreed as TO the course or action the
President has In mind. The answer
seems 10 be that Il is not the purpose OF
. the President TO resubmit the excised
treaty at the present time. The Presi-
dent has no intention TO send the treaty
back 20 the Senate hastily for another
long period of controversy and alloca-
ton and bad feeling.
The treaty WIN be held In abeyance
while tho President end Mr.. Hughes
study II and while several most impor-
tant and delicate negotiations are worked
out with the Allies. For example. Il was
authoritatively stated at the state De-
partncnt this afternoon that the whole
structure and circumstance OF the future
rels stions OF the United States with tho
Allies depend upon their acceptance in
principle OF the recent notes" that Sec
retary Hughes sent abroad. The adnis-
4