Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 May 1920 — REED AND PEACE [ARTICLE]

REED AND PEACE

Senator Reed of Missouri whom his Democratic constituents declined to elect as delegate-at-large, yesterday spoke in favor of the foolish peace resolution of Senator Knox. That resolution has not been before the senate very long, but there has been sufficient time for it in part to defeat itself. As originally offered it could not stand the fire that was centered on it. For it was found necessary, or advisable, too strike out the provision requesting the president to negotiate a separate peace with Germany. This provision was a confession that the resolution purporting to declare peace would not, if adopted, bring peace; else there would have been no need for a treaty. This was made clear —which it was not difficult to do. With this clause out, the only inference possible is that those responsible" for its .elimination now believe that the resolution in its modified form will restore a legal peace —which they did not believe when they asked the president to effect peace through a treaty. As it now

stands, the resolution contemplates the acknowledgement by Germany in a treaty of certain American rights. So even yet some sort of arrangement in addition to the resolution seems to be necessary, if not to bring peace, at least to protect and safeguard our rights. Such is the muddle into which the country is being led, and which Senator Reed defends. What further changes may be made in the resolution no one can say, but it is practically certain that there will be some. For this resolution, when passed by the senate, will, with the house resolution, have to go to conference, and there is never any way of knowing what a conference committee will do. A year ago Senator Lodge, who, we presume, will vote for the resolution, said: “We cannot make peace except in company with our allies. It would brand us with everlasting dishonor, and bring ruin to us also if we undertook to make a separate p.eace. This “everlasting dishonor” and “ruin” senators are now courting with a light heart. —Indianapolis News (Rep.)