The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-09-08
HARDING HAS TROUBLES.

Senator Harding is not yet out Of
the brush with his program OF SCRAP.
ping the league Of nations in order Ia
placated Knox. Brandegee and COM
pany. He might have swallowed o
population OF his own record without
wry face. but there is more 10 his
change OF front than that Theirs are
others who do not so readily forsake
their convictions. We have already
heretofore alluded to the attitude OF Mr.
Taft. Now. there come rumblings that
Elihu Root is said not TO be a little
pleased with the construction put upon
the platform plank which he is credited
with writing. The consequence is that
poor Harding may have again to revise
his position.
In all seriousness. the republican can
dicate makes poor showing as party
leaoer. Hesis probably experiencing the
sensations which come to every one
who attempts to adapt his views to
whomsoever he is with. Mr.. Root went
abroad as n sort OF ambassador for the
republican party. But II was to per-
form service for the league. not to
destroy 1t. He has been collaborating
with others in an attempt to develop
The Hague court as an instrument OF
the league. not as substitute for IT,
With his characteristic superficial think
Ing, Senator Harding probably reasoned
that, In adopting The Hague court in
stead OF the league, he was paying Mr..
Root q compliment. but It is easy to
understand how the latter might not
think SO.
There are also other evidences than
the dissatisfaction OF Mr.. Taft and MIR.
Root that all ia not well in the camp.
Either Mr.. Harding talks to different
persons in different strains or there are
some republicans who do not recognize
him as the party oracle. There is
George w. Wickersham. for instance.
George Is for the league. Moreover,
George declares that Harding has not
altogether abandoned the league. Per-
haps. in this. George has an idea that
others Will determine Mr.. Harding's po-
stion for him--which is not at all UNI
likely. But George goes further stll
and makes one assertion which may
occasion more talk. He says that Hard.
ing Will not conclude a separate peace
with Germany YFTs
In that last statement Mr.. Wicker
sham raises a real issue. Mr.. Harding
solemnly declared in his speech OF ac-
coptance that we shall have peace so
soon after March 4 as he can convene
congress to pass the necessary .resolu-
ticn. II that doesn't mean a separate
peace, II doesn't mean anything. 1t is
probably about as easy. however, to ac-
ocpt the latter alternative. Now comes
Mr.. Wickersham and asserts that Hard
ing win not conclude a separate peace!
leaders may construe these divergent
declarations In any way they like, but
they lead irresistihly to, one conclusion
ALI is not harmony in the republican
camp.
Yet we are assured by the New York
Tribune that Mr.. Hardings position is
definite" while that OF Cox IL "vague!"
With the troubles that are constantly
arising around him, we shall not be
surprised II some fine morning the re-
publican candidate declares himself, lik,
the Irishman, n stranger IN the country
anc not sure OF his position. In re-
puoiating his own, record. II may de-
velop that he chose TO be wrong rather
than to be president. II IL possible that
no has paid more for the support of the
rreconcilables than II Ia worth. Charles
Y. Hughes took much pains 70 humor
Col. Roosevelt-and lost the presidency.
y there similar fate awaiting Senator
Harding as consequence OF his offer
Ing 10 Hiram Johnson?