AMERICA'S REJECTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17428, 25 March 1920, Page 5

AMERICA'S REJECTION.

- ' ' m> ... ISSUE FOR ELECTIONS, j SENATE AND PEACE MOTION. TEE PRESIDENT'S VETO. ' I By Telegraph—i>r?ss AssocialibßT-Copjrrieht, I A.and > xr.Z.-Bc>ute.r. ■ WASHINGTON;. Ma*. 33. j j Mr. Wilson,lt is understood, intends to! I veto Mr. P. ■'■ Knox's resolution proposing that peace with Germany be declared. i %e President's intention is to withhold the'.treaty "until the- Congressional " ! elec-tions.v-v. . s '.- , '"" ; '. S', '".■■-■..",'"' j j " The defeat of the Treaty is a colossal crime against this country and the world," ! said Mr. W. J. Bryan, the Democratio leader. He added : "The action is more i disgraceful because" its rejection was! reached by a union of Democrats and: 1 irreeoncilables whom the Democrats previously denounced. The Congress should declare the war to be at an end." Those who believe Mr. Wilson may run again for the Presidency argue that it is logical for him to come forward now on the Treaty ratifications platform, with the plea that the treaty is greater than politics or third term traditions;

Press comment on the treaty defeat is generally bitter throughout the nation. Newspapers do. not agree on the question of culpability,' the matter being > reviewed according to their partisan feelings. The New York World states that the commanding prestige which the United States won in the war bad been fritter©* iway. _ ' • ■ ■

The Noif York Times states: " Mr. Lodge might have secured ratification -with reservations for every reasonable 'purpose. The reservations -were obviously not intended as dagger thrusts. He has.been beaten at his own despicable and, deadly game. Upon him the responsibility falls." The New York Tribune says : " The defeat is a tragedy whose poignancy is intensified by the' sordidness of the final scene. The country beholds the President "wrecking a great undertaking for no better reason than that he could not unoon-: stitutaonally have his own way." j The Boston Post asks: "What next?: Something.must be done to end the grotesque situation."

The Chicago, Journal says: "Mr. Lodge and the treaty killers are responsible partly fox the revolutionary plot which has just .'failed in Germany. If Bolshevism follows he will be responsible.**