Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-05
Withdrawal
OF Troops
Is Big Issue
President Must Face Two
Warning Factions on Oc.
cupation Plans Now That
Peace Is Restored.
Proclamation Expected
BY ARTHUR SEARS HENNING.
Chicago Tribune Omaha Bee Leased W,r,.


Washington, July 4,-The question
OF withdrawal OF the American troops
nom the occupation OF German ter
ritory on the Rhine bids fair to be-
come an important issue. now that
peace with Germany has been re-
stored, unless President Hardina
should act Immediately to bring the
forces home.
lhe'president will return TO Wash-
ington tomorrow to begin considera,
ton OF the next moves on the peace
program, the first OF which is en-
pected to be an executive proclama-
tion formally declaring the war at
an end
Some administration officials are
OF the opinion that the presidents
next step after issuing the peace
proclamation will be an order with
drawing the American trops from
Europe. There are, however, some
extremely influential members of the
cabinet who will counsel the presi-
dent to leave the army OF occupation
on the Rhine pending the conclusion
OF negotiations between America
and Germany and America and the
allies questions arising from the
war.
May Force Move.
If the president does not signify
his intention of withdrawing the
troops soon resolution will be in-
troduced in the senate. probably by
Senator Johnson of California, in
structing the secretary OF war to or
der the forces home.
This is the move determined upon
by the senate irreconcilables.
They hold that congress may con-
stitutionally instruct the secretary
of war, though not the president, and
they have considered the contingency
OF the president directing the secre-
tary OF war to ignore the instructions.
OF congress, thus precipitating
clash between the executive and leg
islativc branches OF the government.
Il is more likely. however, that if the
president desires to retain the
troops in Europe the administration
leaders would bl6tk passage -,
withdrawal resolution BY cUnsfcss
Under the terms of the peace res
olution, all rights acquired by the
United States under the armistice
and the Versailles treaty are reserved
and one of these rights is the occu-
patton of German territory by Amer
lean troops. So. there is authority to
retain the trops on the Rhine and the
only question is how long ii is to the
interest OF the United States to keep
them there.
Interested in Settlement.
The president has declared the
United States interested in the Ger
man indemnity settlement and it is
pending the payment of the repara-
tions and fulfillment of other treaty
terms that allied troops are TO re-
main on the Rhine for IS years. Co.
blenz, where the American troops are
stationed, is TO be evacuated in 10
years if the treaty terms are fulfilled
by Germany.
Mr.. Harding has detailed represen-
tatives to the reparations commission
and other bodies to deal with ques-
tions of purely American interest,
but whether he will consider it ne
cessary to keep the troops il, Europe
in connection with that purpose re.
mains to be seen.
There are $1,000 American troops
at Coblenz being maintained at tfR
present expense OF the United States,
though Germany is to foot the bill
under the treaty terms. Germany now
owes about S250,000,0O0 for the
American occupation and presume
ably will pay in reparation bonds.
Sentiment Is Divided.
The question of retaining the
troops on the Rhine is really one of
the extent to which we purpose to
in enforcing the German
peace terms and that will be de-
only by the eventual
peace settlements Mr.. Harding No
gotiates and the senate approves. He
IS undecided whether to make these
settlements in a treaty of amity and
which eventually will be
negotiated with Germany in any
went, and in treaties with the Allies,
'r by accepting the Versailles treaty
With reservations, eliminating the
eague of nations and all provisions
# the peace terms proper in which
he United States does not desire to
become involved.
On this question the president is
between two warning camps one
leaded by Secretary OF State Hughes
nd Secretary OF Commerce Hoover.
Who want the Versailles treaty rat
hed with radical reservations, and
he other headed by the senate ire
oncilables who will fight the resub-
MISSION OF the treaty under any cir
Indications are not wanting that
he president is characteristicallv
eeking the middle ground for he /.
nown to be considering the en-
odyment OF the Versailles treaty
rovisions, which we are willing to
ccept. in separate treaties with Ger
lany and with the allies. thus avoid
ig resubmission of the Versailles
~ Ella