The sun., 1919-03-18
Col. Harvey's Address.

evening"
Col. Harvey's Address.
Col. Harvey said:
II am always at n loss TO know what
reply TO make when am asked TO des-
ignate subject for speech. Things
happen nowadays so quickly and unex-
pectedly that often what would have
been an excellent topic yesterday ceases
to be timely to-day. Consequently
found myself in my usual state of per-
tui baton last week when your Presi-
dent requested me to telegraph title
for my remarks this evening.
ut was n wholly reasonable inquiry,
and the response should have been easy
and ready. Unhappily did not find II
so and, after cropping hesitatingly in
my mind for awhile, the best I could
propose was Patriotism or Politics
But on the following day realized that
this was both too general and too hack
neyed. so 1 asked him to substitute
Washington or Wilson 2
After all. when you come to think
Of It. the difference is not so great the
meaning 10 substantially the same. Not
that L would convey the impression that
the one was wholly patriot and the
other is wholly n politician. The differ
ence Of course Is one simply of degree.
but in viewing what might be termed
tho dominant ATTRIBUTES Of the two
statesmen the verisimilitude of. the APP
pellations could hardly be challenged
successfully.
The TWO Mems Attitudes.
I'VE all know what Washington
stood for. 1t Is not necessary for me
10 recall the solemn admonition to his
.sft ,trxs, L., l,fa INa i.
beware of entangling alliances win for
eigns p ,wers and his earnest Injunction
TO safeguard above all other things the
complete independence of the new re-
public
I'VE have had greater difficulty in
comprehending the precise attitude of
our present President because of the
peculiar reticence with which he has
seen Mt 10 veil his innerinost thoughts
Recently. however. we have been able
to reach, less perhaps from what he has
said than from his manner of saying
an approximate understanding
Indeed there now remains no ques-
ton that contrary to the pronounce
ment OF Washington, reiterated by every
President at least to Roosevelt. Mr. WILL
son has become convinced that the right
full destiny OF America cannot be full
hlled through independent action, but
can only be attained through a species
of partnership with foreign Powers. Hts
view, so long. as II be regarded as one
Of sincerity and conviction. must be
held unobjeetionable. But that 1t is the
absolute opposite OF the judgment Of
Washington and his long line OF patri-
otto successors is fact that cannot be
denied and must he reckoncd with as a
wholly novel proposition.
'"It finds its exemplihcation, of course
In the proposed League Of Nations de-
signed presumptively to enforce peace
upon the world. but really to enforce
war by few chosen Powers upon other
Countries which refuse for any reason
to accept the mandates OF their more
powerful masters
II have not the time nor Is It neces-
sary to attempt TO analyze In detail the
extraordinary proposal which the Presi-
dent brought recently from Europe in
the hope of securing tacit ratification
from the country. / may. however, in a
few words by way of homely illustration
sketch my own conception OF the propo-
sitlon as I presented It on Saturday eve
ming to the bankers In Chicago. when
said:
"a perfect parallel Is this You have
built up great successful bank. Some
other like institutions not so very near
are attacked successfully by burglars.
You go to their assistance, not In a
dream or because you have visions of
an approaching millennium. but because
you fear that IL those burglars are not
stopped they may rob you too. You ar
rive in the nick OF time to help the
others beat Off the burglars.
When 1t is all over, you find that
you have incurred heavy liabilities. but
your capital and surplus are still intact.
denngita ne
and your bank Is the soundest, richest
and most promising In the land Mean
while, those other banks have suffered
sadly Two or three are on the verge
of bankruptcy.
Assets and Liabilitie1 Pooled.
You have done your full part. but
you are willing to do more You will
extend loans, you will make fresh loans,
you will reduce interest, you will do any
thing In reason that can be asked.
You meet 10 consider the situation.
Somebody makes a proposal. 1t is that
all the banks combine and pool all assets
and liabilities the assets being yours, of
course, and the liabilities theirs, and
there will be nine directors, of whom
you shall be one and president They
are 10 have the control, but you are to
have the honor. Think OF that.
And who do you suppose makes this
remarkable proposition? Why. you. the
head OF the great solvent bank. and the
others hem and haw about 1t for a while
and after persuadlng you 10 conced4 this,
that and the other to bind the bargain,
finally consent. Then you go back to
your stockholders and report what you
have done in the name of humanity. for
the common good, and demand ratinca-
ton OF your superb performance Sup
pose all that should happen. Where do
you think you would get off?
We'll. that is the precise proposition
which now corffronts the stockholders OF
the United States. 1t is homely IL
lustration, but "A true one ] defy any
body % find flaw ir> the analogy.
The similarity in fact. in a broad
sense. sketches further than ! have in
dicated. Whatever In the case imagined
might be the attitude Of your stock
holders and whatever when the time
comes may be the attitude of the stock
holders Of the United States, there can
be no question whatever Of the eager
ness with which the insoivent. banks In
the one instance or the impoverished
Powers in the other would welcome the
proposal. Surprise has been manifested
at the readiness OF England to Join the
combination and many compliments have
been paid to the President for his sue
cess In converting Lloyd George.
EnRlaRd's own Child.
." hut why should not England gladly