Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-07-09
PROBLEM OF PEACE
GREAT TROUBLE TO
CABINET MEMBERS
President Harding Also Uncer-
tain About What Course
to Pursue.
FEARS FIGHT WITH SENATE
New York Times.

New York Times.
Washington. July 9.rAlthough
President Harding approved, six days
ago. the Congressional resolution de-
ciaring that the United States was no
longer at war with Germany and the
late government of Austria Hungary,
nobody in authority in WASHINGTON
seems 10 know whether we are actual
~ at peace or not.
The President thinks that peace
came when he signed the Congression-
al resolution. but he is doubtful
whether the fun purposes of that dec
laratory legislation can be carried out
unless IL is proclaimed to the world
Cabinet officers are all at sea on the
question. Meanwhile the country may
be engaged in state of war with
Germany without anybody knowing
how TO end Ii.
All of which means that Attorney
General Daugherty, whom President
Harding asked to render an opinion
as to whether the approval of the
peace resolution brought to a close
the war between the United States
and the Teutonic powers, has not fully
determined whether some other step is
necessary TO stop the technical state
of hostilities. Upon that determina-
tion depends the resumption of re-
lations with Germany, Austria and
Hungary.
Naming of Envoy Deferred.
The appointment of an ambassador,
minister. diplomatic agent. or charge
d'affaires at Berlin will be deferred un-
til the question is settled. The naming
OF consular officers at German ports
and the resumption of fun trade rela-.
ticns with Germany must wait until
the Administration can make up its
mind
At yesterdays Cabinet meeting the
Attorney General presented the tenta-
tive draft of proclamation of peace.
This started a discussion on as to
whether it fully covered the ground.
All the rights guaranteed to the United
States by the armistife and the allied
peace treaties with hose countries
and Hungary, are reserved in the
peace resolution. The question has
arisen whether it is not necessary 10
set forth in a proclamation that these
rights are retained by the United
States in order 10 make their re-
tention effective.
The President, like some members
score. Other members contend that
no proclamation is needed. They
hold that when the President signed
the peace resolution, not only did
peace become effective Immediately
but the fun terms of the resolution
became effective. The President was
willing to agree with them TO the ex-
tent that peace was established when
he approved the resolution. but he
still has thought that proclamation
may be required to preserve Ameri-
can rights and repeal the wartime
laws which expire with the establish
ment of peace.
Attorney General Dougherty was
told to take his tentative draft of
proclamation hack to the Department
of Justice and make further examina-
ton 10 see whether it covered all the
points that figured in the complex
situation.
Harding Still for Modified Treaty.
With peace established. or prac-
tically so, officials Of the Administra-
ton We're asked today, following the
Cabinet meeting. 10 indicate whether
the estab ablisf-ment of peace would be
followed by any steps to carry out
President Harding's declaration to
Congress on April II that '.the wiser
course. would seem 10 be to engage
under the existing treaty"-that is,
the Treaty of Versailles-in order 10
bring about the restoration of treaty
relations between the United States
and Germany. The impression gained
was that the President has not aban-
doned his belief that the resubmission
Of the Versailles Treaty TO the Senate
in a much modified form would be
the wiser course, but for the present
he intends to make no move IN the
direction of concluding a peace agree
rnent with the German government.
1t seems 10 be clear from what was
said today in the best-informed quar-
tiers that the President does not re-
gard the time as propitious to revive
the Treaty issue. Nothing was said
OF the situation, in the Senate, but il
is well known that the generality Of
Republican Senators have indicated
that they viii not tolerate resubulis-
sion of the Versailles Treaty in any