The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-19
No Alliances or Complicated
Treaties Which Might
Mortgage America OF
Other Nations.
DR.BUTLER VISITS MARION
COlumbia's Head Points Out
Need of Stabilizing COndi-
tions in Europe to Get
Relief Here.

s,ecioI Despatch to THE NEW York HERALD.
MARION, Dec. 1S.-It is now possible
to offer hint regarding the funda-
mentals of the President-elect's plan
for a new world association to pre-
serve peace.
From the day, soon after he re-
ceiyed the nomination, when Senator
Harding said he favored new world
entente which would not mortgage"
America and which would be made a
real bond Of international friendship
instead of an international irritant,
rs he regarded the League of Nations,
there has been much speculation about
the Harding plan" 1t is now pos
sible to state that Mr.. Harding has
known for many months what he
would attempt to do should he be
entrusted with the necessary respon-
sibility and authority.
Il know what am going to do" he
said to friend during the campaign.
"But the first thing Is to get authority
to do anything When am elected
shall try to bring all the leaders of
opinion Of the country into sympathy
with my IDEAS"
And this Is precisely what the Presi-
dent-elect has been doing with con
splcuous success since he returned to
Marion ten days ago. He has invited
to his home men Of consequence whose
opinions have value with the people,
and has submitted to them--to Hoover,
Hughes, Root, Harvey. Bryan. Fall,
Reed, New, DR.. David Jayne Hill, DR..
Nicholas Murray Butler and others
his own concrete notions as regards
what the United States Of America
should do toward taking the moral
leadership of the world for peace and
the general welfare of humanity.
No Alliance, hut Strong Ties.
The idea of bringing the great
Powers into sincerely friendly I'M
derstanding can he considered the cor
nerstone of the Harding plan," 1t Is
understood. The President-elect, it is
known, believes that nations, great
Powers, are as susceptible to national
good feeling, unselflsh friendly ap-
proach. as individual men are. His
philosophy Of life Is that the greatest
mission of a ruler of men is to "bring
men together" AS President and, in
fact. as world leader 1t is understood
that he would bring to bear upon the
great Powers for the good of all the
nations the same simple, human ap-
peal that he has observed works hap
PLY with individual men.
This fundamental idea of the Har-
ding plan does not contemplate al
liances or any contractual relation ex-
cept for special treaties or amendments
to existing treaties. 1t would be an
elastic bond with very strong ties OF
honor and moral obligation. The in
dent-elect has little faith in any world
Arrangement that seeks to create too
many partners, too many interests.
II also is suggested that he believes
the peace of the world can be pledged
and held by the United States plus
several great Powers who may be will
ing to go the whole length OF moral
obligation with the United States.
Men who believe they understand
what the President -elect intends to
seek assume that he will lose little
time, after taking office. in inviting
Great Britain. France, italy Japan
and perhaps another Power or two to
meet America for the purpose OF
pledglng the peace of the world.
Would surely Guarantee Peace.
1t is assumed also that the Presi-
dent-elect believes the moral and ma
terial power of Great Britain, France,
Italy, Japan and the United States,
with possibly a pledge or two from
South America, would be enough TO
guarantee peace so absolutely that no
Power or association OF Powers would
dare to upset the tranquility of the
world.
The belief is that the President OF
the United states. taking the lead. could
bring about this arrangement or world
association BY treaty. In treaty of
the kind believed to be contemplated
there would be no other pledges or ties
Continued nu EfUbfeg1fI Duug