Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-10-22
Makes 1t Plain He Is Not for
League When He Spoke OF
International Forum.
SPEAKS FOR APPLEBY
Says Harding is With Him on
League Stand-- Auditorium
Filled to Overflow.

Before the largest audience that
ever attended a political meeting in
this city, estimated conservatively at
from 5000 to 5000. United states
Senator Hiram w. Johnson. of Cali
fornia, last night held his listeners
for more than an hour with his at
tack upon the League of Nations and
explanation of Senator Warren @.
Hardings stand in this campaign.
The Auditorium, in which the meet
ing was held, was filled to capacity
long before the time set for the be-
ginning of the meeting. O'Clock,
and Senator johnson commenced his
talk about ten minutes before that
hour. The early start was made In
order that he might meet local peo-
pie after the meeting and still nave
sufficient time to get In New York by
midnight where he was to entrain ror
Baltimore his next stop.
Senator johnson arrived In Perth
Amboy late yesterday afternoon and
went Immediately to the New Pack
er House where he dined with the
Republican reception committee.
Senator Johnsons schedule called
for three speeches in the far east"
as he terms this part of the country,
Jersey, Perth Amboy being honored
by the senator with one of these vis-
it's. The hearty support given Sem
ator johnson in the presidential pri-
maries is thought to have been tho
reason for his favoring this city
with visit. William Kline. of South
River. the Johnson delegate to the
national convention, was also in
strumental in bringing the senator
to Perth Amboy.
The auditorium was elaborately
decorated with American flags.
County Chairman John Pfeiffer pre-
sided and T. Frank Appleby. con-
gressional candidate from this dis
trict, had seat on the speakers
platform. Senator Johnson was the
only speaker of the night but many
of the candidates were present.
Early in his talk Senator Johnson
said he wished to correct an irn-
preston which has been gained by
many as a result of his statement
made yesterday In New York to the
effect that he would be delighted to
see established an international
forum" where in the open there
would be a full discussion of inter-
national problems which might form
public opinion and thus tend to pre-
vent war. This international for
um." he pointed out, did not mean
any new league of nations.
II am taking no stand on any new
league of nations" he said. Every
normal man and woman detests war
and will do everything in his or her
power to promote peace. / would
be glad If there were an interna-
tional forum where, in the open,
there might be debated problems
affecting the world but beyond that
l cannot see that it would be safe
for our nation to CO."
There Is some disposition afoot to
tie up Senator Harding with new
scheme upon which no one can ex-
press an opinion before its details
are known. No man with reason
able caution could entertain any such
scheme until he knows what II Is"
Senator Johnson declared that Mr..
Harding is taking the right stand at
this time in marking time" with
reference to any new league being
formed.
Senator Harding has described
the League of Nations as a military
alliance. menacing peace, threaten-
ing freedom and as the supreme
blunder.' He has said that the lea
the interest of others Now when
you read that Senator Harding is
for the League with reservations re-
member that he turned his back up
on it and wants only its rejection.
This present league cannot be
amended by any number of reserva-
tions. 1t contains menacing classes
in nearly every paragraph. There
is only one course to pursue and that
is to keep out of it altogether"
81 am not a member of the sena-
torial oligarchy," said the speaker
but casualty of the late Republican
convention and come to you as such
because there is something bigger
than individual success in my heart
and that is to retain untainted and
unstained our American nationality.
After eighteen months of effort upon
the part of few men who stood
alone more that a year ago but who
have followed the president, preach
ing Americanism instead of mystic
internationalism, withstood the jibes
and jeers that met us on all sides
with charges of 'pro-German' and
'bolshevists,' those who will have
the burden to bare-the people of
America--will have an opportunity
to pass upon this solemn referendum
at the presidential election. 1t was
not pleasant work. this task of max
ing it respectable to be American
again but the result is no longer ir
doubt. Senator Harding will bury
beyond redemption the League OF
Nations"
The speaker said that when the
league was first spoken of in this
country and its provisions vaguely
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