Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-12-15
LEAGUE ADVISERS
IMPRESS HARDING
New International Policy's
Framing Not Expected to
Prove So Difficult.
BY ROBERT r. SMALL.

MARION, Ohio. December 15.--Presi-
dent-elect Harding's confidence that
the making OF q new international
policy for the United States may not
prove as difficult as many persons sep
posed has brought UP the question of
whether in the end this policy will not
be predicated upon the existing league
of nations.
Certainly all the outward and wish
bic signs at this time point TO such n
course While there are a number OF
leading minds in the republican party
bitterly opposed to the acceptance Of
any part OF the league of nations as
arranged at Versailles. these minds
are not ordinarily the ones which go
along with Senator Harding's.
mere Is every reason to believe
senator Harding has been deeply i'm
pressed by his recent talks with Mr..
Hughes, MI. Hoover and Mr.. Root. and
It Is known that each one of these
three distinguished republicans, truth
FULLY ranked among the best minds
of America, have advocated a modifi-
cation Of the so-called Wilson league.
1t Is true, of course. that while Mr..
Hughes. Mr.. Hoover and Mr. Root
have come and gone, Col. Harvey has
remained in Marion as the house
guest of the President-elect. There is
no more bitter ender' in all the
countryside than Col Harvey when it
comes to the Wilson league of ma
tions.
Grey Statement Recalled.
Col Harvey was with Senator Hard
ing for ten days prior to the senator's
very comprehensive speech of August
- last. in which he dealt exclusively
with the subject of the foreign rela'
tons of the United States. Frequently
since last August Mr.. Harding has
said that he stands sQuarely on that
speech and also on the statements
made in his speech accepting the re-
publican nomination.
IT is being recalled In connection
with the present conferences at
Marion that Mr.. Harding. on August
g. quoted with a great deal Of salts
faction a statement by viscount Grey.
who had been British ambassador at
Washington but had been unable to
present his credentials to President
Wilson. Viscount Grey said:
las long as the richest. most power
full. the greatest, both for population
and territory. OF the civilized countries
of the world. stands outside the league.
the league will be unable to fulfill it's
destiny. To put it in quite plain terms.
the Americans must be told that IL
they will only join the league they can
practically name their own terms"
Harding said:
Undoubtedly that is the fact. ask:
Is there any good reason why we
should not avail ourselves of this
privilege? I do not mean in any ar
rogant or domineering, or patronizing.
of fairness and right to our own peo-
Pile"
Feeling Of All Parties.
count Gray as saying that the Ameri-
cans should be trusted with the draft
ing Of a scheme of reconstruction for
the league Of nations which would be
consonant with the feeling not Of one.
but of all parties in America" and
Mr.. Harding's comment on TINS sugges-
ton was as follows:
Frankly. ! value that suggestion
very highly. because 1t is proffered
obviously in helpful and friendly
spirit and reveals an old world
opinion on the necessity aa.,r r OF amsnd-
Then followed these very significant
words by Mr. Harding:
: s'It comprehendsa substantially what
would propose to do II elected
President" i'tA
Advocating the re-establishment OF
the Hague tribunal or an interna-
t;nnal court akin to it. Mr.. Harding
said he would be glad to take what
ever Of good might be found IN the
league Of nations plan, and added:
.sfhis statement Is broad enough TO
;rciude the suggestion that IL the
iaa rne which heretofore has riveted
our considerations and approximations
has been SO entwined ana inter-
Mnven into the peace of Europe that
We 9nod must be preserved in order
~ stabilize the peace of that conti-
nent. then 1t can be amended or re-
vised 30 that I've may still nave a
remnant of world aspirations OF 1918
osn,;on of helpful cooperation in the
ultimate realization.
tCopydsht 1870,