New-York tribune., 1920-11-04
By William Howard Taft

pated, but that it should reach the un
precedented proportions which it has
reached was 4 surprise. The majority
of 100000 in New York for Mr. Har-
ding will stand out in the political his
tory of the country and is not likely
to be repeated for many. many years.
II ever.
There will be divergent views as to
the meaning Of the election, and yet
most observers VIII conclude that the
election is nothing but the elimination
of trend against Mr. Wilson's Admin
iStration that began before the war
closed and before the League of Ma
tions was in controversy AZ all, that
manifested itself III the election Of 1913
and that continued 10 grow IN momen-
tum until Tuesday last.
There are localities where the League
OF Nations doubtless played an lmpor-
tant part, particularly Article X. The
irish and the Germans were especially
bitter against any League of Nations
which included Gcea1 britain, and re
spondod TO tae q. Nnelts maze by the
opponents Of the league with eagerness
AID emphasis. TINS doubtless explains
Tie very large Vote tor 1.r. Har0ing in
New York ana Boston. usually Demo
cratic stronghClds. The caemles OF the
league VIII maintain tlat tne general
verdict IS one completely adverse to
my league bat TINS VIII not be the
reasoAaOlo juGgN cnt Of those who have
followed Mr.. Aard.n1 promises IN his
speech OF acceptance, IN his speech OF
August Is, IN mis- Dcs Molnes speech
and his indianapolis speech.
Objections to League
We may be sure that Mn Harding
viii fulfill hls agreement with the pup
lie and viii bega now to study how he
can reach the influential members ot
the existing league to induce them TO
enter into q new lc~eue or association,
when shall not have the features OF
the existing league, to which he has
offered serious Oo!ectlOn. These OBJ
JectIons are fouriold. One Is TO Ar
ticic X, which. OF course, must be elImi
mated if the United states IS to enter
. league. The second IS TO the char-
4ctor OF reference to the Monroe Doc
uine in the League o. NatlQns' Which
he thinks not broad enough to secure
to the United States fan right and dis
crction to assert the Monroe Doctrine
rs always.
The third is to the character Of tribu-
mails of the present League, IN chat theS
are not framed as d court should be
.,nd are not to bc constituted OF judges
and jurists. bat of DIP omatlsts and
executive statesmen and politicians.
For this. therefore, must be substltu-
Ted an international cogrt OF the kind
recommended to the existing league by
1hc R0ot-Pnillim0re Commission.
7 ourth, he objects to the labor chap
Ter Of The league and would not have
it operate, except as Congress may
Voluntarily. when occas on arises, &C
ccpt its provision. These, with the
subject matter Of Republican rcserva-
ions, constitute all the objections
which have been expressed by Mr.. Har-
ding.
Mr. Harding's purpose is to secure
a league, or association, which centcrs
around an international court, with
teeth in it. One cannot prophesy eX-
actly the form which his purpose, if
successful, will develop into but it is
probable that he and the great ma
ority Of Republicans who sympathize
with him, viii frd the easy and natural
corrse 10 he the retention Of the
ground plan, Or Organization, Of the
present league and the making by
amendment of changes in It and ad-
ditions to it, to- futil Mr. Harding
aim. He has said that he was in
5GNOT iI Il if-l4t tl 4tI tA a. lit<i.iNi.Oi an
international court Of iustlclable IS
sues, with teeth in it. and: a regular
conventional conference Of nations TO
take up he subject Of thu eatened war
over non justiclaDlc issues.
The resolution declaring peace will
be the recognition OF peace, which from
a domestic standpoint will end all war
powers and VIII repeal the war
statutes. But the question of settling
.t.,I,+ n 4
United states viii still remain. 1t
will be much easier to fix these rights
by building the new association of ma
tions on the remnant of the League
left after the Objectionable features
are eliminated than TO attempt an en-
tirely new organization. The treaty
itself provides that amendments 10 the
League shall nol in any way Interfere
with the obligation OF Germany TO the
treaty a. a whole When the Lepg1e
and treaty have b'cu purGcd Of their
objectionable features in accord with
the Republican ieservations and with
Mn, Uarding's policy as declared in his
campaign speeches. 1t is hard to sec
what objection there can be to settling
the terms OF peace hy ratifying the
treaty with all these changes.
Sees Probable Agreement
There is a four months interval be-
tween the election and the Inaugural
tion, and the calm consideration of this
ny Mr.. Harding, with members Of the
Senate and with others, is sure to
ciaiify the situation. With the RESPONSE
bii,y upon Mir. Harding and upon the
party to find 2 way ont, and with the
anxiety OF most Republicans, whether
bitter-endcrs OF not. to reach d com
mon grounds, Aad with the spirit Of
cnutroY y and partIsaNshlp Of the
election campaign allayed hy the cleo
tion The probability of agreement is
encouraging.
Mr. Harding. with his enormous ma
ioritv. coming into power after eight
years Of Democracy. win naturally
have great prestige and strong leader
ship in his party. lie win hear all
views and. with tact and kindly con
sideration. ask his followers to aid
him in the fullest performance of the
promises of the Republican platform
and his own. The majority Of the Re-
puhicAns in the new Senate may be
eighteen. This viii prevent few dis
sents from blocking party policy in
domestic matters.
In the matter of settling our for
eign Affairs, the Democrats must help
e the necessary number of tWo-thirds
is to be obtained. The hola-oeer Demo
cratic mcmbt rs. who voted for Nepub-