The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-12
HARDING ANSWERS
WILSON'S ATTACKS
Mild Reservations Are Mild
Americanism, Ohio Sena-
tor Asserts.
DISPUTES THE PRESIDENT
Says United States Entered
War to Defend Rights,
Not as Crusader.
THE PRESIDENT
sn.cinl pespatch to run suS.

more support Hiilu IeSerNduohS eAihh L
could sanction mild Americanism." said
Senator Harding (Ohio). addressing the
Senate to-day in heartiest support of the
resolution Of ratification with drastic
reservations to the peace treaty and the
League Of Nations covenant.
In n speech marked throughout by
studied repression of his remarkable IA
ciIty in dramatic oratory Senator Hard
inc arraigned the trainers OF the league
ooyenant--"the propagandists Of the
hour" he called them-and their plans
FOR the naturalization of industry, the
standardization of governments and
me internationalization of the world.
AS on practically every recent pre-
vious occasion when the league covenant
has been assailed in the Senate there
was n roar of applause to greet the
close Of the Senator's address. Once
more as on previous occasions, Vice
President Marshall uttered his warning
rebuke. but these rebukes are being
couched in milder language. The Senate
ia getting used to unbridled enthusiasm
and rather likes it, say some Of the older
Senator's.
Reviews Change of Opinion.
Senator 6aTu1nk TtNltWto IL III
earlier passages of his speech the trans
mutation of public opinion in America
duriny the war and since the armistice
to show how with the growing up Of
sentiment for permanent peace after the
borrors of the world war there had run
narallel a growth of suspicion of the in
ternationalism which pervaded the minds
~ certain classes of people everywhere.
Earlier permanent peace hopes had pre-
supposed reduction of ornaments. sem
ator Harding pointed out that since the
flaming of the League of Nation cove
ngnt disarmament programmes appar-
emily had been forgotten.
On the popular thought was the wish
TO abolish war and promote peace and
make justice supreme, and 1t was be-
leyed that the world, war wearied and
drenched with the blood of millions OF
devoted uatlonalists. would be ready for
me committal Our people were think
mo NJ the thing desired, and never
Wondered the method or the cost OF its
rnakine" said Sendoor Harding. NO
body stopped to think of the involve
ments. We are only learning them now.
"It would have been well to have
counselled with one another before the
covenant was fashioned. The people
voted such n preference most emphati-
callv last November. Most people
Thought there would be counselling, and
II ought to have been done. When the
armistice brought humanity's greatest
sigh of relief since fellowship engirdled
the world, 1t was the common thought
that sympathy would inspire and JUS
tice would impel and safety would de-
mand some created agency of the con-
science Of the world, that should con-
tribute to the furtherance Of peace and
maintain tranquility.
But the immediate task was the
settlement of the war suspended by the
armistice The manifest yearning was
for recovery from madness and de-
struction and waste and disorder and
the Instincts of self-preservation called
Ior speedy restoration. No one doubted
that the measureless cost and unspeak-
able suffering would awaken the con-
sciences of nations to take stock OF their
relationships and readjust them to guard
against recurrent horrors. But the press
ing call was for peace, peace among the
beligerent Powers, peace for con-
yalescence, peace for elaboration. peace
for that understanding which is the first
essential in undertaking a WORLDWIDE
covenant which mankind had never
Effected heretofore.
II am not indulging in belated COM
plant, because I knew the tremendous
seriousness OF plunging the republic IN
var and l knew then our unreadiness OF
spirit for such a committal. The point l
sn, aiming at is to clarity our purpose
N entering the war in order to en-
plastic our favorable position when 1t
cane to an end
The everlasting truth is that we were
shGI h. n rtIthlaGgnAaQ n de.
fence of our national rights. ana we did
, deftnd them, until Germany's power for
ruthlessness has bean destroyed beyond
recovery for generations TO come.
I'VE defended only our rights, and we
SNOW now. II VIC did not realize before.
that the nation which does no. defend
us national rights does not deserve TO
survive. We did not ask more, except
10 help in righteous restoration. and the
world correctly appraised the unselfish-
less which marked out effortA
Tried to Do II Alone.
1T was a very simple course to take.
Ours was a commanding voice in the
adjustments OF peace willingly and
gladly needed. Il was ours TO pass
Judgment on the terms OF peace and
saeed their conclusion. must confess,
Senator's. I could find no fault with
the President going to the peace table.
DO complain that in this most extraor-
oinary and unparalleled wreck In the
wake Of world wide war he consented to
counsel ard advise with none who have
sworn duties to perform. and devoted.
essentially alone. his talents and his
supreme Influence to reformations and
re7tItutions and the establishments OF
Nkz "a
ambitions and the fulfilment of dreams
Which human struggles and battling peo-
pies and heroic sacrifices have not ef-
'ec'ed since the world began, and never
Will be realized until the millennium day
mat marks the beginning of heaven on
earth The situation presented Intensely
practical problems and lie chung mainly
TO lofty theories"
Senator Harding then elaborated his
argument to show that disarmament was
To-day apparently the furthest thought
u tha public mind IN the old and new
nations Of the world. Then he turned Ia
ne 2resegt situation IN the United
hlates with the Chief Magistrate. an itin-
Grant propaganda for his own ideals
laShlng across the country to tell 1.-THE
91oYle" Of the United States that then
Congress" does not represent them.
rhe arst official Of cur Government Is
tourtng the country to invite the people
81 the Republic, the great massp whose
asArt 10 ever right in ultimate decision
% the support OF this untouchable AND
,homendable and supposedly sacred
eeoou;nent" Mr.. HaVing said. He Wis.
psd the capital OF tie State which have
-. homo. 70 represent and was re.
aslvsd with the respect becoming hii
treAt once. and was applauded. as OTTER
happens to appealing speech, OF which
10 Is the master. He has spoken and II
,pesE,as elsewhere. and tho people OF