The Washington herald., 1921-04-16
Reaching a Program.

II N fORMlNG judgment OF President Hard
ing's foreign policy outlined, and
whether or not he can gain the support of his
party in realizing it. certain conditions are of
prime importance. Mr.. Harding has to deal with a
Senate majority of his own party This majority is
twenty in body of ninety-six members.
Besides this political alignment, he has the
genuine, personal friendship of not only his own
party members, but of many Democratic Senators.
They know each other and there is a remarkable
absence.of personal sntagonsm This gives reason
able assurance that at least the Republicans will CO.
operate with him, and not refuse to give and take
A first and very significant evidence of this is
found in the readiness with which Senator Knox
has changed his peace resolution. On the other
hand earnest proponents of the league of nations,
have accepted its death-kne, having the assurance
that the treaty ITSELF relieved of that bone of con-
tention, is to be submitted to the Senate. In this
spirit Of give and take. of partial yielding of opin-
ion, to avoid friction and deadlock the outlook for
definite action by united party is most hopeful
The Knox resolution as now before the Senate
is essentially merely declaration of peace follow
ing in general the lines of declaration of war; 1t
may be remembered that in declaring war the Presi-
dent was Authorized and directed" as Commander
in-chef to use the entire army and navy and the
countrys resources in carrying on the war, and
was pledged all the of the country to that
end.
Quite in the same form peace is declared by re-
pealing this war resolution Of April g. 1917 as also
the resolution of December y 1917 declaring state
OF war against Austria-Hungary. To protect this
government and its people there is proviso, that
until the German government has by treaty with
the United States, ratified by the Senate made
agreements as to all war claims of this government
and its citizens, all property of the German gov
ernment and its nationals held by the United States
shall remain in its possession. Also such treaty is
to provide confirmation of this governments war
acts and for commercial relations, and reservation
made of all rights accruing to this country under
the treaty of Versailles until by treaty. or resou-
ton, it is determined otherwise
The difference between this~and the original
resolution is the important that the President
not instructed to negotiate separate treaties with
Germany, Austria, Hungary and the new govern
ments formed from remnants of the Austro-H Hun
garian empire. The Senate does not presume to
direct him in what under the Constitution he has
sole prerogative of action. 1t is the Presidents
rightwithout direction interference to negotiate
such treaties he WILL with whom and when and
how ne will; the decision as to time, governments
subject >natter and contents rests with him alone
The Senate comes to bat afterwards. The resolu-
ton in its form, recognizes this and does not
presume to dictate as to foreign policies.
The President in his message and doubtless per-
sona had served notice that his distinctive powers
and authorities his own; that he requires no in
structions in complying with them, and no direction
in fulfilling the obligations of his office, nor any
"supergoeernment" of his personal judgment
On the other hand it goes without the saying,
that he will consult freely with the Senator's that
there will be complete understanding between them;
that they will know in advance his policies and that
he will in no way sacrifice that cooperation upon
which good government effective government and
getting things done, Nor in this will he for
get that to rstify any treaty, even If he has the
united support of his own party Senators, he must
also have at least ten Democratic votes to assure
ratification.