New-York tribune., 1920-10-20

Democratic Senators to defeat the
treaty as modified followed him by vot
ing against ratification.
Quotes Harding's Views
"That is practically where we stan'
to-day. Mr.. Cox declares that he will
insist upon the treaty just as Mr.
Wilson, negotiated it, and upon that un
derstanding Mr.. Wilson is supporting
Mr.. Cox for the Presidency. TIL
Democratic platform says substantial,
the same thing.
ION the other hand. Mr.. Harding
who voted for the ratification of tn
treaty with the Senate reservations
declares that he would do it again un
der the same circumstances.
"The Republican platform says:
"'Thc Republican party stands for
agreement among the nations to pre-
serve the peace of the world. We
believe that such an international
association must be based upon in
vide methods which shall maintain
the rule of public right by the de-
velopment of law and the decision Of
impartial courts, and which shall Sc
cure instant and general interna-
tional conference, whenever peace
shall be threatened by political ac-
tion, so that the nations pledged to
do and insist upon what is just and
fair may exercise their influence and
power for the prevention of war;
"Mr. Harding said in his speech o
August %:
"'There are distinctly two types of
international relationship. One is
an offensive and defensive alliance
OF great powers. The other
type is society of free nations or
an association of free nations or a
league of free nations animated by
considerations Of right and justice,
instead of might and self-interest,
and not merely proclaimed an agency
in pursuit of peace, but SO organized
and so participated in as to make
the actual attainment of peace a
reasonable possibility. Such an as
soclation ] favor with all my heart,
and l would make no fine distinction
as to whom credit is due. One need
not care what it is called. Let it be
an association, society, or league,
or what not. Our concern is solely
with the substance, not the form
thereof. ] would take and
combine all that is good and excise
all that is bad from both organiza-
tions (the court and the league).
This statement is broad enough to
include the suggestion that if the
league which has heretofore riveted
our considerations and apprehensions
has been SO entwined and interviewer
into the peace of Europe that it's good
must be. preserved in order to stabil-
ize the peace of that continent, then
it can be amended or revised so that
we may still have remnant of the
worlds aspirations in 1918 builded
into the worlds highest conception of
helpful cooperation in the ultimate
realization
Question of Notifications
"Mr. Harding has reaffirmcd thes
statements again and again, and the
must be taken a. representing the pol
icy of his administration if he
elected.
at is plain, therefore, that the issu
is not between a league of nations an
no league Of nations. The question i
whether the agreement creating tn
league shall be accepted absolutely un
changed, or shall be modified to NEE
the American objections. If Mr.. Co
should be elected, he would be boun
to continue the old struggle to fore
the Senate to accept the league cove
nant without change, which has KEEP
US out of the league for more than
year. If Mr.. Harding is elected, h
will be bound to say to the foreig
governments which are already in tn
league: Here are certain objections t
certain provisions of the league cove
nant which stand in the way of Ameri
cas- entering the league. | would b
glad to have the provisions of tn
agreement changed so as to obviat
these objections.' Then would folio,
an ordinary common sense negotiatio
as to the best way to obviate the oh
jections. Regarding this process l hav
to say:
"First--1 think the American objec
tions can be met and obviated withou
interfering with the scheme of tn
league or impairing its usefulness.
"Second-Without pretending to an
I special knowledge l think there ar
clear indications that the other nation
concerned are willing to make sue
changes as are necessary to meet tn
American objections.
"Third-I think the objections ough
to be met and obviated. The covenan
contains some provisions which are un
necessary, unwise, and injurious, an
they ought to be changed.
Nothing Distressing About Changes
"Fourth-There is nothing unusua
or distressing about negotiating tn
necessary changes. If the other partie
are willing-as they seem to be
will be simple matter. Severe
European nations have already give
notice of half dozen changes in tn
covenant which they propose to urg
at a meeting of the assembly c
the league next month. The onl
reason why the changes nece:
sary to meet American objection
have not already been considered
that Mr.. Wilson simply would nc
negotiate for them
at is heart-breaking thing for tn
negotiator of treaty to find somethin
ne has committed himself to and ir
sisted upon must be changed. He ha
naturally become an earnest partisa