The Washington herald., 1920-12-15
ROOT and HARDING
STRIVING TOWARD
SAME END ON PACT
Confidence at Marion
Shows Only Methods
At Variance.
by SAMUEL W. BELL.

MARION, Ohio. Dec. 1.-THE be-
lief that an almost insuperable bar
rier stood between President-elect
Harding and EIihu Root because Of
the attitude each had assumed on
the league Of nations issue was
dispelled in a measure here yester-
day as a result of a conference be-
tween the two men.
Perhaps it cannot be truthfully
said that the President-elect and
Root found themselves in perfect
accord regarding the best method of
American participation in world af-
fairs. but the meeting unquestion-
ably revealed them to each other
ss striving toward the same end.
aHIghIy Satisfactory,
These are conclusions which can
safely be drawn from the develop
1nents attending Roots visit to
Marion and the meagre information
on the exact nature OF the confer
ence youchsafed by the participants.
Beyond saying that the meeting had
been highly satisfactory Root de-
elined to comment directly upon his
talk with Harding, while the latter
also held his own counsel. Never
fheless Mr.. Roots willingness to
talk freely regarding the world
court of league OF nations which
= g.
closed the burden of the converse
tiOn between the two men. Root
was closeted for almost three hours
with the President-elect in the lat
tors little ONCE at the Marion
headquarters. Root arrived early
this morning and made a day of it
in Marion, leaving tonight for New
York
After the conference he expressed
a willingness to discuss various
subjects with the newspapermen
aud ended up by delivering himself
OF the most comprehensive state
ment Of the purposes and functions
Of the world court that has been
presented in this country.
Interesting also in connection with
Roots visit was statement made by
Col. George Harvey who has been
q lc" DAYS Ine ddrO-
ing's house guest. Col. Harvey said
today that the chief topic of discus
sion between him and Senator Hard
ing has been "a proposal which
dTarfs all previous propositions de-
signed to perpetuate peace and
d.mocratize the world"
Would Hold War PIebiscite.
In brief 1t is that the United
nd IL
tion of peoples who should pledge
their respective governments for all
time never to engage in offensive
warfare until the question in dispute
has been submitted to and decided
~ Deople themselves.
eye .laus-Alect Harding declined
20 ,c-Iyaszgr on the proposal but Col
E-sl.sy sspoused 1t with vigor ever
- E1sE
"a di0ussing the world court pro.
posed under the league of nations
Root acknowledged that 1t would bt
pOwerless to settle disputes in which
national policies were involved, be-
cause policies often were not predi'
ever, that the most useful way tC
prevent people settling their diff
ferences by fighting is to affort
them some other means OF settle
ment.
Discusses International Idea.
Root was led into some discussion
ct the possibilities of internationa
adjudication, pointing out that tn
creation of such a court must be re
Earded as a step toward disposini
Of the occasions for internationa
differences that might develop int
causes of war. In a world in whicl
there are many dynastic govern
D ments. he Acknowledged, many war