The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-10-19
Count Debearn Says Govern
ment Gave No One Authority
to Approach Harding.
VISITS SECRETARY STATE
To Assure Official No "spokes,
man Delegated, Inform
allv or Formally"

have been given the state department
| by Count Debealn. French charge here
that the French government has not
given authority to any one TO approach
Senator Harding with suggestions )that
tho republican presidential nominee
take the lead In forming a new world
association.
Calling attention TO an official denial
issued by the French foreign ONCE yes.
| terday the French charge told Under
secretary OF State Davis that he was
assured that tho French government
had delegated no spokesman to act for
II In negotiations with Senator Hard
ing. either formally or Informally, Of
fcialiy or unofiicially."
The announcement Of the visit OF the
French charge to the state department
yesterday afternoon was made today
by Mr.. Davis, who said that while
Count Dehearn had delivered no formal
reply TO the American note OF inquiry
TO the French government dispatched
yesterday he supposed that the assur-
ances given by tho charge were the re-
suit OF previous communications with
his government,
Prince DeBearn, French charge DAT
faires, has informed the state depart
ment that the French foreign ofice has
ator Harding relative TO an association
OF nations. The charge d'affaireS said
that he is satisfied that no offlcial
spokesmen OF France have voiced their
approval to the candidate Of ''an as
socintion OF nations
Undersccrotary Of state Davis made
this announcement but refused 20 state
whether a formal answer has been
received from France on the inquiry
made yesterday, or In what manner
tho inquiry was made.
II also became known today that
Ambassador Jusserand has advised Of
fcials of this government that he has
never discussed the league OF nations
with the members OF the senate,
1t was strongly intmated at the
department that this government was
ready to consider tho incident closed
so far as tho question as diplomatic
proprIeties goes and that France is
no longer considered party to the
controversy.
Further penIsIs.
Mr. Davis said he did not know
whether the French government would
content itself with the denial issued
formally yesterday at Paris and tho
assurances given the state department
through the French charge. or whether
u formal reply would be made TO tho
formal note OF inquiry sent by the
American government at the direction
OF President Wilson.
II was further stated at the depart
ment that the American government
had never had any intimAtion OF de-
sire by the French government to
scrap the present league of nations
or TO revise II.
with France apparently out OF the
controversy. interest today turned again
to the president IN tho clash between
the chief executive and Senator HARD.
ing over the republican presidential
candidates. statement that he had been
Informally approached hy "Spokcsmcn"
of the French people asking that Amer.
len lead tho way for an association OF
nations.
senator HardIng's letter containing
the official text Of his statement, II
was generally admitted today. ahsolves
the French government OF any breach
OF diplomatic propricties, II was also
admitted that the ofilclal text differed
from the report to which the president
took exception.
The presidents reply 10 Senator
Harding In now awaited with interest
aud II is generally predicted here that
tho chief executive Will frame n reply
In an effort to show that tho French
government i- nrmly in support OF the
league OF nations and does not desire
an association OF nations,
othor Representatives.,
President Wilson's letter, however,
continued today TO ndltuto diplomatic
and official today to ngitate diplomatic
mat stated 1t was wen known among
tho representatives OF several Euro
pcan governments that not only emls-
aaries OF France, but Of Great Britain.
had repeatedly consulted Senator
Lodge. chairman Of tho senate foreign
relations committee. since tho incep-
tlon Of the treaty nght In the senate,
Tho same diplomat pointed out that
Vscount Grey. while British ambhs-
sador to Washington, held, conferences
with republican members OF tho foreign
relations committee when the con
troversy over the league covenant was
raging IN tho senhtq.
At that time II was well known In |
Washington Viscount Grey dined with |
Senator Lodge and other republican |
at tho Lodge residence here. |
and during tho dinner the official rep |
resontntivo OF the British government
was plainly Informed tho treaty OF |
versailles would not be railned by the |
necessary two-thrds Of tho senate,
Since the defeat OF the treaty In the
senate gcnhtor Lodge and other re-
leaders have been in frequent
communication with London. Patls ana
pthcr European Contors and one ropuh-
Ilcan senator declared today II was only
natural To proKume senator Harding,
rs tho tltulnr loader Of the republican
PARTY had beer kept well Informed nS
10 the attitude Of the European powers
toward tho existing league Of nations
situation.
Tho effect OF tho situation upon the
attitude Of Senator Horah. republican.
II Idaho who is opposed 10 the league
" nsFociatlou Of nations. was also
Tho cause Of widespread speculation
Senator Bornh himself declared all ho
,arod 10 tay a. present was II did not
natter 70 him 'nno way or tho other
,a 10 what France wanted or did not
want that he wac moro interested In
, hat the American people wanted or
Id not want and he was confident
ne result nf the solcU1u referendum
- tho coming election would show
hey did not want the longue Of nl-
IONS"