Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-09-17
HARDING TELLS COLLEGE MEN
HIS POSITION ON COVENANT
Writes Letter to DR.. Schurman, to Be
Read Before Conference In New
York Tomorrow.

| MARION. Ohio, September 17.-Sen-
ator Harding today made public a let
| ter he had written to DR. Jacob Gould
Schurnan, president of Cornell Uni
versity. DR.. Schurman had written Sem
| ator Harding saying that tomorrow a
| conference of college and university ex-
ecutives and faculty members would be
held in New York, largely comprising
| scholars interested in the international
policies of this country, particularly
with referenc to the association Of this
country with other nations in behalf Of
world peace Dr. Schurman suggested
that a message from Senator Harding
| on the subject would be welcomed, and
accordingly Senator Harding sent the
following letter:
Text Of Letter.
| my Dear Dr. Schurman:
Your letter of September II is before
me, with it's suggestion that a word of
greeting to the conference Of university
people which you will hold on Saturday
September IS. might be acceptable.
am very glad to comply.
THE difference between our atti-
tude toward the league Of nations
stated. President Wilson has twice
rejected the opportunity to secure
ratification of the peace treaty with
what the Senate agreed upon as safe
guarding reservations, because he in
sists upon the original article x as
the very essence of the covenant. The
democratic platform indorses this at
titude and the democratic nominee
has unqualifiedly committed himself
to it,, We must in fairness to him as
sumo that If he had the authority he
would stand by this position. If he
should be elected, indeed. we would
have to assume that the country had
given him a mandate to accomplish
this.
Opposes saTkat League
THE democratic nominee has de-
clared in favor of going in to the
covenant the President brought back
from Paris. / oppose going into that
world association of nations with an
international court of justice. a
tribunal that shall be governed by
definite principles of international
law. I favor a world association aim
ing at the practical expression of the
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
we're to have been associated with US
in this proposed alliance were them
selves hesitant about accepting it.
I heartily favor an association Of
nations inspired by ideals of justice
and fair dealing rather than of pow
er and self-interest. Such an asso-
alton could and l believe would be
potent IN the effort to maintain pea ce
The Hague tribunal gives US the
liquidation 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 de-
Examinations shall be effective. and
accepted without surrender of ma
tional rights.
Il recognize that the worlds peace
is now to great extent intertwined
with the settlement of Versailles
From that settlement / would save all
that is good and useful. An associa-
ton of nations for purposes of con-
ference and a world court with jurie-
diction Of justiciable questions would
am confident. now be accepted by
all nations.
Europe Would Approve.
This plan. we have been repeatedly
assured by European statesmen. would
meet their approval. Mr.. Lloyd
George has frankly expressed opinion
that the league of nations covenant
might well be changed for the better
Certainly it is our thought to inn