The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-08

that solemn moment which comes but
once in q lifetime ! made some re-
marks because ] felt l could not vote
without expressing myself. And, follow
ing my remarks the Senator from Titan
fMr. Smoot) arose. and In the solemnify
that characterizes his life, he offered a
brief prayer that God might bless our
common country. and then We voted.
why u. 8. Went to War.
1T remember what we said officially.
We declared state of war TO exist be-
cause Germany had trampied upon
American national rights applause and
voice That's it"). We wen, to war
to defend American rights. And. my
countrymen, a nation that will not de-
fend its national rights does not deserve
to survive"
A voice: "why not defend our rights
against England"
The voice belonged to a Roman Catho-
lie prizes! named McGinnis
Senator Harding replied: "Oh. my
dear sir the only wars we have ever
had until this last one. except with
Mexico and Spain, has been against
England. But agree with you, SIR not
in the attitude of warfare. but GER
tainly wouldn't have the United States
Government In any capacity dominated
by Great Britain. want to give the
gentleman an illustration. l have no
hatred for Great Britain. Do not mis-
understand me. / think she has played
wonderful part IN world civilization
and | think Great Britain in going to
war for the sanctity Of the treaty with
Belgium is one of the finest instances OF
national honor In the history OF the
world.
'T want to give my friend who is
courteous enough to ask the question, an
illustration OF what ! mean !: We built
the Panama Canal We built 1t with
money out of the pockets of the Ameri-
can people We built 1t to sail Ameri-
can ships of commerce and American
ships of war through that canal for
our defence, and we pledged American
shipping and American people that we
would send American vessels through
the canal free of toll. We built It. IL
was ours, you know But under Presl-
dent Wilson the Congress was persuaded
at the instance of Great Britain, to
abandon that policy and to charge our
OF ~ = 'rs ~ go through the canal
1T will give you another instance
A voice interposins: How about Ire
land?"
His View ON Irish Problem.
"well," replied Senator Harding. IL
am happy to say that I think Great
Britain Is approaching the solution Of
the Irish question. 1t is very difficult TO
discuss these matters"
The voice (interposng) Eyes, by
burning up our cities"
Senator Harding: "Oh. my dear man,
do not pursue me to the point of dis
cussing in detail the internal affairs of
a foreign Power. l would not under
take to tell Great Britain what her poll
Icy must be. (Great applause.) would
not care to undertake to say to Great
Britain what she must do any more than
I would permit her TO tell us what we
must do with the Philippines Cap
plause.)
Let me discuss for a moment"
A voice (interposing) '.Why did we
tell Spain what to do with Cuba?"
At this point there was laughter, In
termingled with cries of "Shu. up!" and
Let him finish his speech" &C.
Resuming, Senator Harding said
MY friends, we are getting along finely
here. / have nothing to hide. but ] am
under some obligations to make this
speech myself. tApplause) do not
mind friendly questions. I know how
concerned the friends or irish freedom
are. I have a sympathetic feeling my
self for Irish freedom. voted that way
in the United States Senate. But
wqAild not try to fool the Irish they are
too smart for that. And should very
much dislike to be Presidential candi-
date who tells the friends of Irish free
dom that 1t can be solved under the
Paris League Of Nations. on the one
hand, and then go right to California
and tell the opponents of Japanese Inn
migration that II cannot be solved I'M
der the same covenant"
A direct Issue OF ratifying or reiect-
ing the League OF Nations was accepted
by Senator Harding. brushing aside the
problem OF clarifying reservations. and
declaring he would "favor staying ont"
Of the covenant written at Versailles
He said:
Our opponents are persistently curl
o'is to know whether. for perhaps
might better say when---I am elected, I
intend to scrap the league. II might
be sufficient In reply to suggest the flu
tillty Of 'scrapplng something which is
q. 'eady 'scrapped.' Whether President
Wilson Is to be blamed or thanked for
the result the fact remains that the
Paris league has been 'scrapped' by the
hand OF It's chief architect The stub
born insistence that II must be ratified
without dotting an r or crossing T.
the refusal to adv!se--that Is to coun-
sel-with the Senate. IN accordance with