The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-07-14
COX, HARDING
BEGIN ATTACK
IN OWN STATE
Front Porch a Listening
Post" is Cox
Challenge.
(By The Associated Press }

(By The Associated Press.)
Columbus, Ohio, July -Charx-
ing that Senator Harding. the Re-
publican presidential nominee, has
made his front porch q listening
post, Governor Cox, the Demo-
cratic nominee, today issued state
ment replying to Senator Harding's
statement Of yesterday that the Will
son administration had saddled the
League Of Nations upon him as the
chief campaign issue.
Governor Cox's statement said his
campaign would be dedicated to the
task Of bringing peace with honor.
Of readtusting the affairs of civil
ization and OF creating q new day
out Of which we will make the best
OF the lessons past"
The governor declared the things
Senator Harding believes vital and
pertinent from his isolated per-
spective will not, in all probability,
be 80 regarded by me-"
Governors Statement.
The governors statement. given
to the newspaper correspondents at
the morning conference, follows:
Il recognize the eagerness of the
gentlemen Of the press who are as
signed here to develop news copy
daily. l have no disposition to dis
courage that enterprise, but at the
very outset 1t is we'll that we have
this understanding of q very funda-
mental phase Of the present situa-
ton.
Senator Harding has made two
definite announcements; that he
purposes to bark back to the days
OF 30 years ago, and that he will
make Of his front porch listening
post This means that he will be
as far removed from the running
current Of progressive thought as
the senatorial oligarchy Of Lodge
and Penrose and Smoot has been
removed from the heart beats Of
the American people for q year or
moro.
Campaign Dedioated to Peace.
my campaign will be dedicated
to the task of bringing with honor,
Of readjustfng the affairs OF civil
ization and Of creating a new day
out OF which we will make the best
Of the lessons Of the past There
fore, things that the senator be-
lieves important and pertinent from
his perspective, will not, in all
probability. be so regarded by me
His last statement Is but q reitera-
ton of what has been said in the
senate time after time, 30 that il
this campaign on the one hand de-
velopes into mere morning sessions
Of the senate, you will very readily
perceive the uselessness of daily
response"
Harding Opens Up.
(By United Pivss)
Marion, Ohio, July 14.-Warren
G. Harding has opened his defen-
sive and eagerly accepted the Dem
ocrstic challenge to q finish fight
over the League Of Nations.
His statements welcoming q ma
tonal referendum" on the League
isue was viewed as his most en-
phatic utterance thus far and also
as q skillful attempt to split the
Democratic party on this question
His purpose, 1t was believed here
was to smoke out" Governor Coz
on the league issue and force the
Democratic standard bearer either
to line up solidly with President
Wilson on the league question OF
come out for strong reservations
and break with the White house
on the leading issue on the cam
paign.
Wedge For Treaty.
Either course, it was believed in
the Harding camp, will drive 9
wedge between the administration
forces and those Democratic lead
ers who opposed President Wilson's
course in the treaty fight.
When word reached the Republi-
can nominee that Franklin d
Roosevelt, Democratic vice presi.
Dental candidate, had declared the
League of Nations should be the
leading issue he suspended work or
his acceptance speech and issued q
prompt acceptance Of the challenge
Harding's statement showed 6
lighting spirit which put enthusiasm
into his advisers here.
Bitter Against Pact
His scathing references to ths
entanglements which he believes
would result from Americas parti-
cipation in the league, are expected
! to draw the fire of administration
supporters and indications are fol
a hot pitched battle before the ole
campaign has gone far.
His statement today was taken b.
some to foreshadow a firm anti
league stand by Harding in his
speech of acceptance. He frankly
declared that America would be in
volved in the score or more wars
raging in Europe should We joiI