The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-21
COX WANTS ROOT
TO RETRACT WORDS
False He Replies to Charge
That He Would Reject All
Changes in League.
ACCUSES HIM OF DECEIT
Launches Hot Attack on G.. O.
P. Senator'S in Speeches in
New England Towns.

Special Despatch to THE New York HERALD
BRIDGEPORT, Oct. 20.--Gov. Cox added
! Elihu Root to his list OF special targets
tonight, along with Senator Harding
William II. Taft and Henry Cabot Lodg,
and other New England Republican
Senators constituting the "Oligarchy" in
whose home territory he 10 campaigning
He accused Mr. Root in a telegram sem
to Mr. Root to-day Of attempting to de-
ceive the voters, declaring at the same
time there was no truth in the assertion
OF the Republican statesman in New
York city last night that he intended &c
insist on the ratification of the Treaty
of Versailles as President Wilson
brought II back from France.
Text of Mr.. Cox's Message.
Gov. Cox's message in full follows:
"Elihu Root New York city:
Il have before me a quotation from
your address on the League of Nations
delivered in New York city October 10
which reads: Mr. Cox declared that he
v Ill insist upon the treaty Just as Mr.
Wilson negotiated It..
II am addressing you most respectfully
with recognition of your integrity OF pur-
pose and the signal service which you
rave rendered as a public man. mindful
of the fact that you may have fallen
INTO error through ignorance OF the situa-
ton owing to your absence from the
United States during part Of the Presi-
Dental campaign.
Your statement, however is not in
keeping with the facts which you are
$50 Il fIxr
papers. ] have invariably stated in my
addresses, and restate here. my whole
hearted desire to make the United States
a member of the League of Nations, and
to secure that contamination Of the
purpose of America when she entered
the war.
IT will accept reservations that will
clarity, that will be helpful. that will
reassure the American people. and that
as a matter OF good faith will clearly
state to our associates in the league
that Congress, and Congress alone, has
the right to declare war. and that our
Constitution sets up limits in legislation
or treaty making beyond which we can
not go.
1T have stated further. that I will ac-
cept reservations from any source which
are offered in sincerity and with desire
to be helpful
II have also stated that II I am
elected President; my election can be
construed only as n mandate of the
American people and that to secure
of the treaty and the league
I would sit down with the members OF
the United States Senate. / would con-
fer with Mr. Wilson, and with you Mr..
Root. as well as'with Judge Taft and all
others who have sincere purpose and
whose service In the past equips them
as advisers In this work.
you know. and know full well, that
Senator Harding very recently said: I
am not interested in Qualification ] am
Interested In rejection
'As | have stated at the beginning I
am placing a charitable construction
upon your statement that perhaps your
has prevented your reading
my addresses and your prejudice has
prevented you from realizing the de-
attitude Of your own cSrdi-
date. But you have made a statement
me which the records show is
false and firmly. but respectfully, call
upon YOU to correct this statement at
once.
"Mr. Root, you have arrived at an
honorable station in life. Many people
trust YOU. You have no right to deceive
them. They want the truth in this cam
palgn. Your conscience will tell you that
duty to 1t should be superior to duty TO
your party. JAMES NJ Cox"
II elected President. Gov. Cox said,
he would confer with members of the
Senate. with President Wilson, with Mr.
Root himself, with Mr.. Taft and with all
others who have n sincere purpose"
In paving the way for Americas entry
into the League of Nations. He relter-
ated that he would accept any reserva-
ton, from whatever source. which would
clarity and reassure. thereby assuming
flatfootedly the Democratic desire al-