The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-10-15
VOTES Of LEAGUE
SUPPORTERS FOR
c. D. P. EXPLAINED
81 Prominent Republicans in
Statement Insist Contest Is
Not About Covenants Prin-
Ciple, But Method.

NEW YORK, Oct. ia state
ment explaining the position in the
presidential campaign of 81 promi-
nent men who have advocated some
form of international agreement, was
issued over their signatures here. In
1t they announced they would sup
port Senator Harding, the Republican
nominee. Elihu Root, Herbert Hoov-
er. George w. Wickersham, Henry
l.. Stimson, A, Lawrence Lowell.
Henry w. Taft and Charles f..
Hughes were among the signers of
the statement. which follows in part:
"The undersigned, who desire that
United States shall do her full part
in association with the other civilized
nations to prevent war have earnest
ly considered how we may contribute
most effectively to that end. by our
votes in the coming election.
THE question between the candi-
dates is not whether our country
shall Join in such an association. II
Is whether we shall Join under an
agreement containing the exact pro-
vision negotiated by President Will
son at Paris, or under an agreement
which omits or modifies some OF
those provisions which are very OBJ
jectionable to great numbers OF the
American people.
1.-The paper, signed by 3S Republic
an senators in March, 1919 before the
league covenant was adopted at
Paris. advised the president that the
signers could not approve treaty
in the form then proposed, although
II was their sincere desire that the
nations of the world should unite To
promote peace and general disarma-
ment.'
"A majority of the senate voted
to ratify the league agreement with
notifications which there Is good
evidence to show would have been
. accepted by the other nations; but
Mr. Wilson refused to accept these
notifications and insisted upon the
agreement absolutely unchanged, and
Democratic senator's sufficient IN
number to defeat the treaty as modi-
fled followed Mr. Wilson by voting
against ratification.
"That is substantially the differ
ence between the parties now,
"The question is not between n
league and no league. but is whether
certain provisions in the proposed
league agreement shall be accepted
unchanged or shall be changed.
THE contest Is not about the prin-
clple OF league Of nations, but 1t
il about the method of most effec-
lively applying that principle to pre-
serve peace.
IF the proposed changes In the
Paris agreement were captious or
without substantial grounds. one
might question the sincerity of their
advocates. This, however is not the
case.
s'The principal change proposed
concerns article ten of the league
covenant as negotiated at Paris Mr..
Wilson declares this to be the heart
OF the league and the chief contro-
versy is about this.
1--WE have reached the conclusion
that the true course to bring Amert-
ca into an effective league to pre-
serve peace is not by insisting with
Mr.. Cox upon the acceptance of such
a provision as article 10, but by
frankly calling upon the other ma
tionS to agree TO changes in the pro-
posed agreement which will obviate
this vital objection and other OBJ
iecflons less the subject of dispute,
For this course we can look only
to the Republican party and its can
didate: the Democratic party and MIR,
Cox are bound not to follow II. The
Republican party Is bound by every
consideration OF good faith to pursue
such a course until the declared OBJ
ject Is attained.
I'VE therefore believe that we can
most effectively advance the cause
of international cooperation TO pro-
mote peace by supporting Mr.. Hard
ing for election to the presidency