The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1920-06-24
HARDlNG'S RECORD SHOWS HIM
OPPOSING LEAGUE AT EVERY
TURN IN THE FIGHT.

Senator Warren G. iarulhs'. re,
publican nominee for president OF
the United States, had been con
silent opponent OF Presldent WI
At times he sided with the "Dltter-
enders" on some of the questions
involved in the discussions of the
treatv bv the Senate. He voted for
The Lodge reservations both time
The treaty was debated, with the ex-
ception of certain amendments pro
posed by the worst foes OF the treaty
The first record OF Senator HaId-
ing's opposition is conta med IN 14e
March 4, 1919, by Senator Lodge.
He was one of the thirty,:seven Sen
ators who signed it, thereby notifying
the world that they disapproVed me
way the President was linking the
,essue of Nations with the peace
treaty.
On "Packed' Committee.
When Republicans organized the
now congress, which convened May
~ 1918. Senator Harding was one
of those chosen by Senator Lodge IN
packing the Foreign Relatlons
Committee against the League OF IA.
lions. He had not been on tnat
committee while the Democrats con
troljed The Senate, but had served on
the Committees Of Commerce, Naval
affairs. Territories and Others.
Aug 20. 1918, he was one of the
y, e nIs. so Of the Foreign Relations
Tommittee at the White House dis
cussing the League of Nations WIN
President Wilson. He interrogated
me president on the moral obllga-
ton feature of the treaty, rals ~
the question as to the value VI Inc
treaty because of this: o,>,;a.+ion ),
Il look upon a moral opligatlon,
he said, "as that which the con
science of the contracting party I'M I'm,
nels The conscience OF any natloh
R n Furone. for example, may be warp
cd by it's prejudices, racial: geo.
graphical and otherwise. II that
be true any nation may put aslde vi
exercise it's Judgment as to the mora
obligation in accepting any recoi il,
mendation of the L,eag th;s in naes
nat tic compact in the enforcement
of any decree?"
Definite World Opinion.
President Wilson said: I'VE geff
the eentering upon II 1T + E ReeWorld e9
messed through the authoritative
organ OF the respoilslo'o
''ie Senator Harding: "That is sur,
rendering the suggestion or mora
obligation for this republic to the
nreiudices or necessities or tne n a;,
lions of the Old World, is 1t noI:
President Wilson: 40 not ~
derstand that we make such sur
render. aid. "Ora
of the points l am getting at, II liz; i
can make it clear, is the NECESSITY
of a Written compact for this. Repup-
lie to fulfill it's moral Obligations 10
civilization .con-
ator. this Republic, if | lnterpret i.
rightly. does not need sugges.,oIi
from any quarter to fulfill us mora
obligations. g., ,;+o ,oroo
with that
Record of His Votes.
The Senator in November yoteu
for the Borah amendment 10 lelu wy,
four nations instead of three TO ratlly
ne treaty before it should become
Effective. He voted for the Lodge
reservations Re ser one to fifteen, in,
clnsive. and voted for cloturee on the
amendments, he voted for, the
Knox reservation (Which was lost)
ending the war with Germany ana
giving this country a right to par
ficipate in the commissions;
He voted for the La toHette resi-,
yaticn which was was d ioSt'' from c1n' the
zane in one year if European ma
lions did not discontinue the pollcy
IF raising armies in peace times NY
He He Voted for the road reservation
which was lost) that the Unlted
States reserves the right 10 decloe
what questions affect the honoI vi
vital interests of the United otates'
Senator Harding voted TOT Iall-
fcation with the ho ths r Teservations
lexcept No. 81 the second time the
treaty. was before the Senate or the
second ratification resolution, nav
ing been paired with Senator rem
fos Senator Harding voted against
reservations on the irish ques'ion
Colossal Blunder.
In speech Nov 10, Senator Hard,
mo told the Senate he had not lked
nr n he declared, "it; is the
colossal blunder of all time; but' rec,
ognizing the aspirations OF our own W
people and the people, OF tne Motiu ~
oooo.o 1o for the promotion and
n nreseervation of peace and more
In r, tina and better understanding
hetWeen nations, I have wished 10
make nsakei It possible to accept this cove We
nant. / could, however, no more
vote to 1atify this treaty wltnou VI
which MAKE sure
Americas independence OF ACTON,
which makes sure the preservatlpn
of American traditions, winch max -
sire and certain our freedom IN
s 81 nosing our course of action, than
: comid participate in a knowing De-
x.o-oI ~ Tile ReDublic,