The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-09-06
HARDING NOT ID
 REJECT LEAGUE,
 SAYS W|CKERSHAM
Recognizes Its Questionable Features Must Be Preserved to Stabilize European
 Peace, Announcement
BY Associated Press

Marion, O.. September 5.-After
 an extended conference here today
 with senator Harding. George W.
 Mickershaf. a former republican
 Attorney General and an advocate
 of the Ecnane of Nations, Issued
 statement, declaring the republican
 nominee would not 'wholly and
 finally reject the league, but would
 take the lend in revising the cove
 nant and putting it into practical
 operation. The senator recognizes.
 Mir. Wickersham added. tha: the
 league is so interwCven with the
 fortunes of Europe that its uDob- / jcctIonabie features must bc pre-
 served tu stabilize European peace.
 From senator Harding himself there was no expression on the subject, but it was Indicated that in the near fu- ture he mighty make public state ment detailing his precise stand with regard to acceptance of any portion of the covenant as it was written. It was said that in his talk with the rorI mer Attorney General that the whole subject was discussed infinitely and that the views expressed by the nomi- nee met with MT. Wickersham's full approval.
 T earnestly favor theLea que of Ma tions,T, said Mir. Wickersham' Is state- ment. T recognize .~the imperfections of the Paris covenant. Yet 1 should have been satisfied to see it ratified as written, believing that the power oi amendment was ample to enable it to be nodded as our national interests might make necessary.T
 DOES NOT ..EJECT IT
 Senator Harding does not wholly and finally reject the league. He rec ognizes that it may have become so entwined and interwoven in the peace of Europe that it's good work and its objectionable provisions must be pre- served in order to stabilize, the peace of that continent. When Presiden, Harding. working in accord with re- publican Congress, takes up< the work of placing upon a firm, just and sure foundation, the relation of this coun- try to the other nations of the world, | am confident that logic of accom- plshed fact will lead 10 the adoption of the league, 80 modified as to re- move all just doubts as to Its undue effect upon American rights and in terests.
 Senator Harding has recognized this fact in the statement that he has nc expectation whatever of finding il HSCeSSdTy or duNiSdple to HeSOlldte q separate peace with Germany. Int first effort of his administration ob. viously must be to secure al agree ment with the parties to the treaty ot Versailles for its modification so as l 10 remove the objettions os the Amer i ican government and that accom- plished our acceptance of the amend. ed treaty will be the natural solution of the international problem
 "No one will dispute Senator Hard. ing's insistence that the United Sta tes may take the lead in revision, amend, | ment or reconstruction. and be able tc count on the cordial co-operatio of all nations concerned"
 Senator Harding not only declined to make any comment tonight on the Wickersham statement, but he also refrained from discussing the categor- ical questions about the league whict were addressed to him by Governor Co> last night in his Milwaukee speech The republican nominee said he pro posed to maintain his policy of no' engaging in a debate with his oppo nent and would express his views 1T his own way as occasion offered. l Another of the candidates callers to- 1 day was Oscar Durante. editor O i LItalia, Chicago's Italian daily. H. | talked with the senator about th 1 Plume question and said afterward h' was satisfied that Mir. Harding would | accord to Italian interests the fail and friendly treatment that has beei i denied under Wilson"
 l Tomorrow Senator Harding will de liver Labor Day address here. and or l Tuesday morning he will leave fo Minnesota to maNe his first speecl | outside Ohio since his nomination