New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-09-18
HardingAgainst
Pact Seeking to
Govern World
Opposed to Amy Offensive
and Defensive Alliance
of Powers, He Writes
DIR. ]. Gould Schr1r1aan
Says Europe Looks to US.
Declares Lloyd George Fa-
vors Change i'm Covenant
for Nations Association
From STAFF Correspondent

FROM stag Correspondent
MARION, Ohio, Sept. 17.-In a letter
to DR.. Jacob Gould Schurman. former
president of Cornell University, Sena-
tor Warren G. Harding has made clear
his opposition to the League of Ma
tions compact. Senator Harding will
not approve any plan or scheme that
seeks preservation Of the fabric of the
league covenant, because he regards
its preservation as q menace to the
American Constitution.
The text of Senator Harding's letter
follows:
Your letter Of September IL is be-
tore me, with its suggestion that
word of greeting to the conference of
university people which you are hold
ing Saturday, September 10, might be
acceptable. l am very glad to comply.
1.-THE difference between our attitude
toward the League of Nations and that
of our opponents is easily stated.
President Wilson has twice rejected
the opportunity to secure ratification
OF the peace treaty with what the Sem
ate agreed upon as safeguarding reser-
vations, because he insists upon the
original Article X as the very essence
Of the covenant. The Democratic dat
form indorses this attitude and the
Democratic nominee has unqualifiedly
committed himself to it. We must, in
fairness to him, assume that if he had
the authority he would stand by this
position. If he should be elected, in
deed, we would have to assume that
the country had given him 8 mandate
to accomplish this.
Opposed to Alliances
THE Democratic nominee has de-
clared in favor Of going in to the
covenant the President brought back
from Paris. l oppose going INTO that
league. l favor participation in a
world association of nations with an
International court Of justice, tri-
bunal that shall be governed by
definite principles of international
law. | favor world association aim
consciences of nations, planned to
focus world opinion.
II am opposed to an offensive and
defensive alliance Of powers seeking
to dominate the rest of the world
Even the other great powers which
were to have been associated with US
in this proposed alliance we're them
selves hesitant about accepting it.
~ heartily favor an association of
nations inspired by ideals Of justice
and fair dealing, rather than of power
and sclf-interest. Such an association
could and, believe, would be potent
in the effort to maintain peace. The
Hague tribunal gives us the founda-
ton of such an organization. Under
the conditions now prevailing in the
world, with the world fully realizing
the awfulness of modern war, it is
wholly possible to perfect the Hague
tribunal SO that it's determinati
shall be effective and accepted without
surrender of national rights.
Association and World Court
81 recognize that the worlds peace
is now to a great extent ntertwincd
with the settlement of Versailles.
From that settlement | would save all
that is good and useful. An associa-
ton of nations for purposes Of confer
ences and world court with iurisdic-
ton of justicablc questions would, l
am confident, now be accepted by all
nations.
"This plan. we have been repeatedly
assured by European statesmen, would
meet their approval. Mr.. Lloyd George
has frankly expressed the opinion that
the League of Nations covenant might
vol be changed for the better. Ger
tainly it is our thought to improve, to
save and build upon whatever is good,
rather than to abandon the good there
is and repudiatc the worlds aspira-
tions for peace.
"Viscount Grey has generously pro-
posed that the Americans be intrusted
with drafting a reconstruction scheme.
1t is apparent that the enlightened
IF -h 70 do
this, and | should feel that to refuse
would be a derelction. AS view it,
we have an opportunity to do a great
service to the world if we will but un-
dertake this effort which the world
wishes US to undertake. On the other
hand, / cannot but feel that for US to
continue insistcncc upon plan which
has proved ineffective, uron which our
own people cannot unite and which the