New-York tribune., 1920-11-05
III ardi1ngg g to L ind
FranceOpposed L
To New League
Prepared to Accept Sweep
ing Reservations to Pres
ent Covenant, but Flaunts
Idea of World Association
Fears Weakening Treaty
Paris Also Would Welcome
Roots Arbitration Plan
Embodied in Any Pact
By Ralph Courtney
Special Gable to Tho Tribune

SpeCtQl CQ0tc to Ihc Tribune
Copyright, 1920. New York Tribune Inc.
PARIS, Nov. 4.-When negotiations
begin between the next administration
in the United States and the European
powers regarding the formation Of q
new association of nations, such as was
suggested by Senator Harding in his
campaign speeches, the new President
will find France opposed to such a pro-
posal.
France has decided that she prefers
to accept the most sweeping amend
ments to the present league rather than
embark upon any new world associa-
ton. She has acquired the conviction
that any attempt along this line would
tend to weaken the Treaty of Versailles
to her detriment. Consequently, the
French government will politely at
tempt to discourage further effor to
set up a rival organization to the
league.
Wants Present League
On the other hand, France is pre-
pared to accept wholesale reservations
on Americas part if the United States
will accept the present covenant. 1t
is intimated also that no opposition
would be forthcoming from this coun-
try to emendation of the covenant it,
self. France would be particularly
glad to see additional Importance given
to the arbitration side of the League
of Nations, in Difference to the ideal
held by Elihu Root and other Ameri-
cans.
Frances desire, if possible, to keep
the present league is manifest not only
IN French official circles, but also in
the comment Of the inspired French
press on the election results in the
United Safes. The semi-ofiicial Temps
tonight says:
Between the League of Nations as
created by the peace conference and
Senator Harding's conception of an as
sociation of peoples to safeguard
peace, conciliation is not Impossible
We have an intimate conviction that
this Cancellation will certainly be real
lied, because America, after taking
part IN the war, cannot remain inditfer-
ent to the great political problems
which face Europe and the entire
world. For every nation, no matter
how large, policy of isolation is a
policy OF suicide III the present copdi-
tlons OF international life.
Confidence in Harding
From our French point of view we
have confidence in the political sense
and wisdom Of Senator Harding, as we
have confidence in the friendly senti-
ments he has continued to manifest
for France. Now that he has been
chosen President of the American peo-
pie. he will not allow the great work
Of human solidarity, which was re-
allied en- the battlefelds of France and
Belgium. to be Compromised.
lie Journal des Deoats in its leading
editorial article reverts to the time
when President Wilson was in Paris,
and says that Clemenceau should have
found some means Of utilizing the good
will Of a man like Wilson, who then
held unlimited power. The newspaper
adds the following revelation:
"Clemenceau confined himself to pre-
venting the French press from publish
ing all the criticisms Of the Preslden
formulated in the United States, and
even all unouestionablY authentic news
which might have been displeasing to
him.
From being the leagues greatest op-
ponent, France has now become one of
its supporters, and it is affirmed in
official quarters that the attacks on the
covenant that appear in the French
| press do not represent governmental
opinion.