New-York tribune., 1920-09-09
Cox Charges
Harding With
Inconsistency
Senator Declared to Have
Taken Eight Different Po-
sitions ON League, and
His Speeches Are Cited
Joint Debate Is Suggested
Governor Says Opponent
Should Referee Match
for johnson and Taft

GREAT FALLS, Mont, Sept. s.-A
new assault on the international poll
cies of Senator Harding was made here
ter's Montana campaign. Governor
Cox declared Senator Harding had
taken eight different oositions.
At a public gathe,..1g here ending a
day of rear-pla. campaigning
across northern Montana the Gov
ernor demanded definite statement
from Senator Har ling and suggested
that the Republi n candidate referee
League of Mains debate between
Senator johnson. of California, and
former Presiden, Taft.
"The campaig. even though we are
more or less IN the preliminaries," "
said Governor Cox, "has reached a
stage when we should take count of the
situation. 1t would seem fitting to di-
rect the nations thought to this out
lating, inconsistent attitude of the
Senatorial candidate for the Presidency
on international questions.
Senator Harding's positions have
been as follows:
"1-In the Senate voted with mild
reservationists.
ON the Senate advocated and
voted for the Lodge reservations.
"3-In the Senate supported the
Knox resolution for a separate peace
with Germany.
"4-Nominated on platform which
declared che League of Nations has
signally failed
"5-Speech of acceptance proposed
separate peace with Germany and new
relationship of nations to be estab-
EShpE hv him and ha ~ he
League.
IS. August 28th, speech. an entirely
new plan--The resurrection of the dead
Hague Tribunal under which there oc-
CURED the Russo Japanese, the Boer,
the Balkan and the great World wars.
~. Speech of September 9Th The
league has now passed beyond the pos
sibility of restoration
'8. Same speech (September 6th)
Amendment or revision or reconstruct
tion of the league covenant is still
among the possibilities.
ut will be seen, therefore, that
made by candidate -or the constitu-
tional position of President, the officer
who in a large measure initiates the
international policies OF this Republic
"Let US not forget in this connec-
tion that Republicans of all shades Of
opinion on this subject have visited
Marion and, without exception, whether
the guest favored the league or op-
posed the league he invariably re-
ported to the press that he Endorsed
Senator Harding's position as stated
to him in conferences. All this would
be laughable if it were not so tragic.
"It is important that a definite deci-
sion como out of Marion. In this con-
nection l have suggas,i ion. which is
that Senator Johnson, who is against
any kind of league. and ex-President
Taft, who has Endorsed the present
league, conduct Joint debate on the
front porch at Marion and that Sem
ator Harding render a decision which
will be not only his decision, but his
final decision."
Governor Cox here and III o number
of rear platform address : also char
acterized Senator Harding as the re
dictionary candidate of the Senatorial
oligarchy and of big business inter
ests trying to buy the Presidency"
Mr.. Harding, tine Governor asserted
cot only 723 of 10000 votes in the
Montana Republican primary 1ht
Democratic candidate reiterated
charges that MIR. Harding Was nomi-
mated by "ring' at Chicago.
Republican campaign contribution