The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1920-09-06
WILL NOT REJECT
LEAGUE ENTIRELY
REPUBLICAN NOMINEES PLAN
TO REVISE. WICkERSHAN.
so SAYS-FORMER Al
TORNEY GENERAL SAYS CER-
TAIN FEATURES TO BE RE-
TANNED.

extended conference here To-Day
with Senator Harding, Gec":-e W.
N-icIersham "a former Republican
attorney general and an advocate OF
the league of nations, issued a
statement declaring the Republican
nominees would not wholly and
finally reject the league" but
would take the lead in revising the
covenant and putting it into practi-
cal operation.
The senator recognizes, Mr..
Wickersham added, that the league
is so interviewer with the fortunes
of Europe that it's unobjectionable
features must be preserved to stabi-
lize European peace.
From Senator Harding himself,
there was no expression on the sub
ject, but it was indicated in the
near future he might make public
statement detailing his precise
stand with regard to acceptance OF
any portion of the covenant as 1t
was written. 1t was said in his talk
with the former attorney general
that the whole subject was discuss
ed minutely and views expressed by
tho nominee met with Mr.. Wicker
sham's full approval.
Wickersham For League
81 earnestly favor the league OF
nations" said Mr.. Wickersham's
statement. 81 recognize the lmper7
fections of the Paris covenant. Yet
7 should have been satisfied to see
it ratified as written, believing that
the power of amendment was ample
to enable it to be moulded as our
national interests might make
necessary.
Senator Harding does not wholly
and finally reject the league. He
recognizes it may have become SO
entwined and interviewer in the
peace of Europe it's good work and
its unobjectionable provisions must
be preserved in order to stabilize
the peace of that continent. When
President Harding, working in ac-
cord with a Republican congress,
takes up the work of placing upon
a firm, just and sure foundation
the relation of this country to the
other nations of the world, 1 am
confident that the logic Of accom-
piished fact will lead to the adop-
ton of the league, so modified as to
remove all just doubts as to- its un-
due effect upon American rights
and interests.
Senator Harding has recognized
this fact in the statement that he
has no expectation whatever OF
finding it necessary or advisable to
negotiate a separate peace with Ger
many. The first effort of his ad.
ministration obviously must be to
secure an agreement with the par
ties to the treaty of Versailles for
it's modification so as to remove the
objections of the American govern
ment and that accomplished our ac-
ceptance of the amended treaty will
be the antural solution of the inter-
antional problem.
"No one will dispute Senator
Harding's insistence that the United
States may take the lead in revision,
amendment or reconstruction and
be able to count on the cordial CO.
operation of all nations concerned"
Harding Says Nothing
Senator Harding not only declined
to make any comment tonight on
the Wickersham statement, but he
also refrained from discussing the
categorical questions about the
league which were addressed to him
by Governor Cox last night in his
Milwaukee speech. The Republican
nominee said he proposed to main
tain his policy of not engaging in a
debate with his opponent and
would express his views in his own
way IS occasion offered.