The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1920-12-20
BRYAN CONFERS
WITH HARDING
Commoner and Presi-
dent-elect Speak From
Same Platform

/ MARION, Ohio.-President-elec
] Warren G. Harding and William
Jennings Bryan spoke from the same
platform to convention OF Presby.
I terian laymen here.
| There can be no association Of ma
tions that does not recognize an
omnipotent being, Senator Harding
told his hearers. Colonel Bryan en-
unciated the same principle and
praised the president as a man
honest and conscientious and one
whose whole purpose 'is to do what
ne believes is best for the American
people,"
The famous commoner came to
Marion at the request Of the presi-
dent-elect, and following long con-
ference, restated his belief in the
league Of nations and his advocacy
of the United States "going in first
and making the necessary revisions
afterward." He described his posi-
tion on the league as follows:
Until it became apparent that it
would not be ratified except with
reservations, spoke for ratification
without reservations. did not be-
lieye. in article l because every ma
tion has right to act independent
ly. Time was important and I thot
we should 60 in at once and make
changes after we were in
My Bryan said he didn't think it
proper for him to discuss questions
which Senator Harding indicated to
him he had under consideration.
"The president-elect has to do
with many non-partisan things"
Mr.. Bryan said. Except in a very
narrow group Of questions Repub-
licans and Democrats can talk to-
gether and this is a particular of
the international situation.
Church Freedom
1T is different in American and |
rejoice that we have freedom be-
tween church and state" he added.
II rejoice in the Inheritance Of a
Christian belief and I don't mind
saying that will gladly go to God
Almighty for strength in confront
ing the responsibilities that face me.
Just government is the highest
concept in the world. don't think
a government can be wholly just that
has not in some way contact with
In the treaty of Ver-
sailles there was no recognition of
God Almighty. could not hope for
a happy relationship among nations.
unless there was a common thought
among them all of the recognition
Of a supreme being"
Common Grounds
Colonel Bryan before making one
IF his set speeches said that con
'idering fundamentals Senator Har-
ling and l are just as close politi-
ALLY as we are religiously." Colonel
Bryan left Marion on late train
night just prior to the ar
'ival of Senator Reed of Missouri,
Who went into conference with the
,resident-elect and will remain as the
eader of small doctrine group in
he senate who stood firmly against
of the peace treaty and
n his opposition to the pact sacri- s
iced himself politically. II
Gerard Arrives
James w. Gerard, American am s
assador to Germany at the time of |
he American declaration of war,
onferred with Senator Harding re- s
arding the amelioration OF condi- t
ions in Armenia. Mr.. Gerard was
ccompanied by Henry W. Jessup, c
epresenting the American commit e
ee for the independence Of Armenia. t
he former ambassador said that TT
he Russian soviet government has a
irective influence over the Armen- G
In government and Mustaka Kemal, O
turkish nationalist leader. p
1T is very likely that Moscow will
orce the Armenians to effect some Il
0rt of settlement with the Turks to p
~ that they have already composed u
leir differences" n
Mr.. Gerard said that upon the ar "
wal of the American mediator to a
. appointed by President Wilson the Il
rst thing he would be asked by the o
urks was what he thinks about G.
lem recognizing Armenia's claims. Fl
"The American mediator has no b
over or authority to offer the Turks p
ny concessions at the expense of j
reat Britain, France, Italy and b
reece, who are the principal bene-
Charles under the Sevres treaty" y
lid Mr.. Gerard. Consequently all "
lat the American mediator will be t.
,le to achieve will be to learn the a
urk's terms for settlement, which p
Q already know" "
Upon the great allied powers, said o1
r. Gerard, rests the responsibility n
r the present Armenian tragedy. W
James Speyer, the New York bank
:, following a conference with Sem +
or Harding on the Mexican situa- I.
On made the significant prediction I.
at: 1--WE may look to the future 1.
Mexico with good deal of hope i
lness," disposition of the new OBJ +
gon administration and of the in !.
ming administration in this coun- +
Y made this prediction sound, he ].
i'd. The accumulated arrears Of in +
rest on the Mexican national debt, 1.
r. Speyer said, now aggregated !.
arly $500, 100000 but If stable !.
vernment in Mexico could be as 1.
red American investors would be i
ling to advance further loans for +
Q economic. recuperation of that 4
untry. i.