Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-07-23
HARDING PROMISES TO
END ONE-MAN RULE
But His Declaration on the League
OF Nations is as INDEFINITE as
That Of the Platform

The senator voted consistently for the
treaty with the Lodge reservations to
the covenant, but he docs not say that
the treaty ought to be ratified with
those reservations or. that Il ought to
be ratified at all.
Instead OF coming out squarely on the
issue he declaims at length about main
tnining "the rights of this nation and
our citizens alike everywhere under the
sum- and about the determination Of
our party" Ito hold the heritage Of
American nationality unmpaired and
unsurrcndcred," as il there ever had
been any proposal to surrender Ameri-
can nationality or sovereignty. This
sort of talk is intended to please John
son and Borah and their followers re-
gardless of its effect upon the great bulk
Of Republican opinion. It's wisdom is
doubtful. Those who had been looking
for n straightforward declaration from
thc senator will be disappointed at his
( failure to be specific.
/ He does. however. indicate the course
he would pursue in tho White House.
but lie indicates it so blindly that much
is left to the imagination. He says he
welcomes tho referendum OH the peace
treaty, and he assures the country that
he would bring about peace as quickly
as a Republican Congress can pass its
declaration for Republican executive
to sign
Does this mean that he would make
a separate peace with Germany or does
II mean the ratification of the Versailles
treaty made in conjunction with the
nations by the side of which we fought
the war?
When read In conjunction with an
other statement. the inference is fair
that it means n separate peace as
preliminary to the consideration of
other matters. Here is what he says
on this:
With 4 Senate advising as the con-
stitution contemplates ! would hope.
fully approach the nations of Europe
and of the earth. proposing that un-
derstnnding which makes us a willing
participant in the conservation OF
nations 10 a new relationship, to COM
init the moral forces of the world.
America included, to peace and inter-
national justice. still leaving America
free, Independent and Self-reliant. but
Offering friendship to all the world.
This is no clearer than the other.
1t may mean that he would propose
the organization of an association of
nations" to take the place of the league.
or it may mean that he would have the !
United States enter the league under
the conditions set forth in the Lodge !
reservations.
There is no doubt that he will be
called upon as the campaign progresses
to explain himself still further, and to
make his position SO clear that no one !
can be left in any uncertainty about it.
fIe will err previously unless he does |
tell US exactly where he stands.
On other matters the speech was
much more satisfactory. In discussing
the Wilson autocracy hc touched upon
Il point which he might protitably have
developed had he been more courageous
in his attitude on the League of Ma
tions. IF the torch of constitutional
ism had not been dimmcd," said he,
''the delayed peace of the world and the
tragedy of disappointment and Europe's
misunderstanding of America easily
might have been avoided"
This is limiting at Wilson's RESPONSE
bility for the defeat Of the treaty, which
ought to have been charged outright.
There were enough Democratic senators
willing TO vote for the league covenant
with reasonable reservations to have
made the necessary two thirds ma
jority, but they followed the White
House lead even after submitting res.
ervatiOns OF their own which said in
different language what the Lodge res
crvationS said.
Many well founded reports came
from Washington last November that
there were enough senators favorable
debate was going on in order to allow
every senator an opportunity to have
his say. The course of the President
brought about delay, created hard feel
ing and forced his loyal followers to
vote against the treaty. Yet more than
twenty of the Democrats were cour.
ngeOus enough to join with the great
majority of the Republicans in favoring ,,
,
The unassailable position for the Re. .
oublicans 10 take is that they favored ,
ho treaty with reservations to make its
meaning clear, while the Democrats de- !
eatcd it. ;
As 10 the Wilson autocracy. Senator
Harding was right. We have had one
nan government ever since Mr.. Wilson =
las been in Washington. Mr.. Wilson S
las been the Democratic party. lie
lad to be if anything was to be done,
or the party left to itself could have 4
accomplished nothing. 1t was divided =,
Il its views and was deficient in lead =
'rship. Mr.. Wilson took il by the :,
cruf Of the neck, gave it a talking TO 4
md commanded it to obey orders. And n
I was meek enough to do as It was v
old. s,
But this Is not the kind of govern. a
nent which the constitution contem- u
,lates. 1t is not the kind Of govern. h
nent which the Republican party has
,iven to the nation. The Republican
,arty is not one.man organization.
When it has been in power il has had a
cadcrs outside Of the White House lust ~
Is capable as the President. These n
caders have consulted together. The v
congress under Republican control has Il
performed it's legislative functions with fc
and has asserted it's judg. h
nent while the President has performed s.
lis constitutional functions as the chief II
xccutiNe. The Republican party is A
apable and efficient instrument. When
I is returned 10 power in the executive
Is we'll as in the legislative branch of
hC shall 400 On