Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-10-19
TAFT TELLS WHY
He DID NOE BOLT
REPUBLICAN PARTY
Agrees With Harding's Atti-
tude on League of
Nations.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE,

william Howard Taft, in his first pO-
llttcal speech in this campaign, gave
to his audience here lengthy ex-
planation of why he has not Joined
WIN other pro-league of nations re-
puollcanS in supporting Gov Cox and
why he confidently believes the cleo
tlon of Senator Harding will mean
Americas entrance into the present
league OF nations. Here is an excerpt
dress:
Mr.. Harding's attitude upon the
ieague has been this: That in an ear
nest desire to help the other nations
ne was willing to vote for the league
WIN republican reservations and he
dld so twice. In anticipation of eXecu-
i've responsibility, however and ini-
native. he does not wish to submit
the Wilson league to the Senate. He
prefers to negotiate with the lead
ing powers now in the league to re-
wise and amend the league by an
agreement with those powers before
submitting the matter to the Senate
In his speech of August 28, and in his
speeches at Indianapolis and Green
castle. Ind, this last week he has
made it clear that this country should
help in an association to avoid war,
and that he is willing to bring about
a modified or revised league avoiding
those features of the Wilson league
insistence is that the league should
center around a court of justice and
Mr.. Roots International court of JUS
tice furnishes a basis for his propo-
sal
Expressions that Mr.. Harding has
'scrapped' the league or has 'repu-
dated it, are grossly unfair express
sions. He has vigorously opposed
article X and the Monroe doctrine
provision. but he has not repudiated
its other provisions and purposes. All
inference that he is opposed to any
league or opposed to the present
league, when these features which he
deems to be objectionable. are re-
moved. and when other features are
added that he deems to be necessary,
does him injustice.
Desires to "Play Game.-
Il wish to be a real democrat in
government as it's rules are contained
in the Constitution of the United
States. 1 feel, therefore. that though
1 favored the Wilson league and
hoped that it might be ratified. and
favored article X and hoped that it
might escape elimination, when l
found that it could not be ratified, l
urged as strongly as l could the ac-
ceptance Of the reservations offered
py tne republicans IN NoVemOeI, 1918
and in February. 1920. I felt that
President Wilson made himself the
proper subject of the severest crit
icism in not being willing to accept a
compromise which the Senate had o
right to offer him. By insisting on
article X he has destroyed his league
and Mr.. Cox proposes to do the same
thing.
The only possible hope of making
progress toward league Of nations
to secure peace is by the election Of
Mr. Harding. The present election is
not a referendum the result Of which
will determine whether the American
league or against it. The issue of
this campaign Is whether we shall ap-
prove the Wilson administration.
From my observation-and have had
great opportunity in every part of the
county, believe that the majority
of Mr.. Wilson accepting the reserva-
tions and entering the league. l be-
lieve further that majority of the
American people are against article x.
and l think this. although I favored
article x and would have been glad to
can be done under the rules of the
game-that is. under constitutional
provisions-to bring the United States
into an arrangement with other ma
tions to prevent war. 1t seems to me
clear that in the existing situation
Mr.. Harding's election is the only
means Of securing this"
Denounees Presidents Attitude.
Other parts of Mr. Tafts speech
we're Intensely interesting in that
they denounced Mr.. Wilson's attitude
war. Mr.. Taft said public opinion
alone forced the President to select
able men to make America effective
in itS war organization.
The ISSUE" said Mr.. Taft. which
the American people are going to vote
Mr.. Cox wishes. Mr.. Wilson wishes or
Mr.. Harding wishes. is whether they
approve the administration of Mr..
Wilson. Mr.. Wilson is a man Of ax-
ceptional ability and of still more ex-
oeptional personality, and he has
stamped that personality upon his ad :
ministration so completely that he is
therefore. to talk in this campaign
without talking of Mr.. Wilson. He
loves the exercise Of power and is
morbidly sensitive to any attempt,
real or fancied. by any one. whether
congressman, senator or prominent
troll"
The former President said that Mr..
Wilson's jealousy for power and re-
fusal to delegate it could alone ex-
plain the dismissal of Secretary of
State Lansing.
Il did not object" added Mr.. Taft,
20 his going over to Europe. Indeed.
! thought it would educate him in the
affairs Of tie world. but in SO far as
it minimized tbs necessity of appoint
inn n a tpnt .,
assist him It had bad resulta"
Mr.. Taft paid his respects to Gov.
Cox, saying he had considerable of
ficial experience as Governor of Ohio,
and has shown himself a shrewd and
active politician who has saved him.
iations with the liquor groups in poll
itics."
Condemning Gov. Cox for refusing
to summon the militia when Cincin-
natl was so much at the merycy of
street railway rioters," the former
President called the democratic nomi :
nee "a temporizer with mob violence"
, rather than one who would maintain
law and order.
Turning to labor questions Mr. Taft
said Samuel Gompers expected Gov.
Cox, il elected. to yield constantly to
his advice. as Mr.. Wilson had done.
Gompers' Power "Harmful..
= W hol iiiiii ,iiiec MI. NoinpeFS
valuable services during the war and
/ agree with his insistence upon real
collective bargaining, but l think it
| would be harmful to the country for
him to continue to exercise in the
next administration of the Labor De-
partment and other departments of
the government the same power which
| has been his in this administration. i"
/ After reviewing the work of the
Wilson administration and discussing
the fitness of both Gov. Cox and Sen
| ator Harding. Mr.. Taft concluded
with this statement:
| "As between the two candidates
| L>4L ,f N hon, LnoU haua M dif