New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-05-08
Consideration of Measure
LIS Not Expected Before
June or Later; Situa-
ton Held Too Critical
League Now Left
An Empty. Shell
Officials Predict Func-
tions VIII Lapse as
u. S. Joins i'm Councils
By Carter Field

" NN'%N~ ~@N - C%fs AI1y fs"2JCLl-
sion of the Administration to delay
passage of the Knox peace resolution
for some time-possibly several
months--followed to-day on the
heels of the note dispatched to Pre-
nlier Lloyd George of Great Britain
yesterday accepting the invitation to
take part in the postwar confer
ences.
This action was wholly unex-
pected, and goes far beyond the ut
most in this direction urged by Rene
Viviani, former French Premier,
when he was here some weeks ago OF
a special mission. At that time
Viviani's interest in the Knox
resolution was chiefly to postpone il
until after May 1. That was the
date set for the invasion of the Ruhr
coal fields by French troops unless
the Germans in the mean time should
have begun reparations payments.
Further Delay Indicated
1t was generally agreed that, this
would be done, not by any open spec
tacular action, but by permitting
normal delays to impede passage of
the resolution through the two
Houses. Since that time the date
for invasion of the Ruhr has been
postponed, but it was evident from
the attitude of House leaders in
touch with the Administration to-
night that the present intention of
the administration is to keep the
Knox resolution pigeonholed for con
siderably longer than the latest Ruhr
ultimatum.
The Republican leaders Of the House
are known to have been in closer touch
with the White House and State De-
partment on this subject during the
last few days than at any time since
March A.
"The situation abroad is entirely too
critical for the United States to take
any hasty action that might complicate
to the utmost possible degree the re-
lations Of this country" declared
member who is probably more nearly
responsible than any other for the
majority party's actions in the lower
body of Congress. ''Fow that reason
we are going to let the peace resoiu-
tion sleep until some time in June
and probably longer"
Hasty Action Dangerous
While the party leaders Of the House
will make no direct statement, they in
timated strongly that this attitude has
been takan by the White House as the
direct result of the Presidents accept
ance OF the invitation to participate in
the reparations discussions--that 1t
might be jeopardizing the interests
of both the United States and its for
mer allies if this country should act
too speedily at this stage.
In some quarters on Capitol Hill II
was thought that the suggestion of
President Harding that the Knox res
olution be deferred was based on a
wish to avoid any possible complica-
tons with regard to the maintenance
of the $4,000 American troops in Ger
many after technical peace had been
obtained. AS pointed out in The Trib-
une Friday morning, however, the ma
jority opinion-certainly so far as the
Senate leaders are cencerned-is that
the President could keep the troops
there If he desired to do so even if the
Knox resolution were passed, the agree
ment of Germany for this 10 be done
having been given, Just as America is
still maintaining troops in China under
an agreement with the Chinese govern
ment given right after the Boxer up
rising. The fact that the United States
has not ratified the Versailles Treaty
is held not to compiicate The situation,
because the treaty is in effect as be-
tween Germany and the Allies, and
Germany is bound by it..
Leagse Obligations Avoided
Again to-day Administration spokes-
men laid stress, in explaining the SIT
uatlen TO newspaper correspondents on
the point that the action taken by the
President in accepting the Allied inyi-
tatlons to sit ON the Supreme Council.
the Council of Ambassadors, and un-
officially on the Reparations Commits
sion, constituted in no sense an entry
into the League of Nations or an an
proach to it,
AS matter of fact il is believed
here that the action of this country IN
rejoining these bodies which are dis
eussing postwar problems will in effect
bleed the League of Nations to death.
Neither the Supreme Council nor the
Council of Ambassadors has even the
remotest connection with the league.
while the Reparations Commission. on
which this country will be unofficially
represented, is creature of the Yer
sailies Treaty but not the League OF
Nations. With America participating
officially in two of these bodies and un-
officially in one It IS thoughe that all
the powers which would normally g8
10 the league ss-:i: gradually be usurped
by them, leaving the League of Nations
organization merely hollow she'll.
Gradually, say those holding thsc
view, the leagQe viii become SO OBJ
yiously useless that = will simply eeasa