The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1920-09-13

Marion, Ohio, Sept. 13.-In a double
barreled attack on the administration
Senator Harding charged here that
of reckless inefficiency," in their
conduct of the nations business at
fairs and had sought through "duplic-
ity or misunderstanding" to have the
United States surrender its Monroe
Doctrine in becoming a member OF
the League of Nations.
His own policy toward the business
world he declared would put an end
to ineffective needing" by the gov
ernment, wipe out many wartime re-
strains, seek readjustment. of tariff
levies and taxation and establish 4
new cooperation between govern
ment and private enterprise.
Assailing the conspiracy of per-
feet accord" between the administra-
ton and the Democratic presidential
nominee to perpetuate war powers OF
the executive, Senator Harding de-
clared the government had been so
twisted out of shape that reorgan-
iZation in many of it's departments
was necessary before it could again
function properly.
Texts Are Contradiction
Discussing the Monroe Doctrine, the
Republican nominee asserted that the
English and French texts of the
League covenant apparently were in
direct contradiction, the former bear
ing the intimation that the doctrine
was not to- be overridden by any pro-
vision of the covenant, while the
French phraseology clearly would
make the doctrine subordinate to the
covenant. In any case of dispute, he
added, league council undoubtedly
would decide the French text was the
official one.
1T is hard to believe" he continu
ed, that this very marked discrep-
ancy was perpetrated without inten-
tion."
The senator's declaration were
made in two frOnt-porch speeches to
delegations of business men from Chi
cago and several Michigan and In
diana cities.
Senator Harding quoted from the
French text of Article II of the league
covenant, arguing that it is "a COM
plete reversal" of the English text,
both of which are official and bear
the signature of the American plerl-
ipotentiaries.
This difference" he said, might
very readily involve us in unhappy
conflict" The English text says moth
ing in the covenant shall be denied to
affect the validity OF understandings
like the Monroe doctrine. The French
text, as Senator Harding translated
it, literally says that understandings
like the Monroe doctrine might be
considered as compatible with any Of
the provisions of the covenant.
p "Comparing the two versions of this
solemn covenant, no one can fail to
perceive that one text is the complete
reversal Of the other" he said.
"The intimation in English is, that
the league covenant must be made to
coincide with the Monroe doctrine but
the literal effect of the clause, as
originally drawn in the French, is
the subordination of the Monroe doc
trine to such degree as virtually
to involve its complete abandonment.
Trap Is Suspected
"One cannot help but wonder
whether the whole thing was a trap
to destroy the good American doctrine
Of Monroe to which this republic has
been committed for more than CEN
tury. 1t is impossible to believe that
the English version was intended to
be an exact rendering of the French,
no one will consent to believe it was
meant to be identical in purpose.
"One wishes to-be both charitable
and considerate, but it is hard 10
believe that this very marked dis
was perpetrated without in
tention. Clearly either America is be-
ing deceived or the representatives
of America have sought to deceive
the nations with whom we purpose
to covenant our peaceful associa-
tions|:'