New-York tribune., 1920-10-21
Declares Former Senator's
Statement That He Insists
on Wilson League, as
1t is Written, Is False
Calls 1t Attempt
To Deceive Voters
Reiterates He Would Ac-
cept Reservations That
Would Guard America

BRIDGEPORT, Conn, Oct. 20.-Gov-
.rnor Cox of Ohio to-day sent tele-
cram to Elihu Root, of New York, ask
M, him to correct what the Democratic
candidate declared was a false state
ment in Mr. Roots address yesterday
regarding the Governors position upon
the League of Nations issue. The Gov
.rnor denied Mr. Roots statement that
he demands the league Gust as Mr..
Wilson negotiated it," and called upon
Mr.. Root for a retraction.
In making public his telegram to Mr..
Root Governor Cox issued statement
declaring that Mr.. Root and thirty
other prominent Republicans signing
the recent statement in behalf of SEN
stor Harding were attempting to de-
ceive the voters because they are per-
hitting their rartisanship to rise above
their patriotism and trusting perhaps
that the last wabble of Senator Hard
ing may be IN their direction"
Governor Cox restated his proposal
to accept any reservations helpful to
the league and contended, therefore,
that Mr.. Root had made a statement
which the records show is false
Text OF Governors Telegram
The Governors telegram follows:
"Elihu Root New York City:
~ have before me a quotation from
your address on the League Of Ma
October 10, whiGl reads, Mr.. Cox de-
Il, hot lo urill CT tho
treaty Just as MIR. Wilson negotiated
it. | am addressing you most respect
fully, with recognition of your Integrity
Of purpose and the Signal service which
you have rendered as public man,
mindful of the fact that you may have
fallen into error through ignorance of
the situation owing to your absence
from the United States during a part
of the Presidential campaign. Your
statement, however, is not in keeping
with the facts, which you are assumed
to know by rerusual of the daily
papers. ! have invariably stated in
my addresses, and restate here my
whoehearted desire to make the
United States a member of the League
Of Nations. and that to secure that
consummation of the purpose Of
America when she entered the '5ar
will accept reservations that viii
clarity, that will be helpful, that will
reassure the American people, and that
as a matter of good faith, viii clearly
state to our associates in the league
that Congress and Congress alone has
the right to declare war, and that
our Constitution. sets up limits in
legislation or treaty making beyond
which We cannot 90. | have stated
further that | will accept reservations
from any source which are offered in
sincerity and with q desire to be help
iul. have also stated that if | am
elected President my election can be
construed only as a mandate of the
American people, and that to secure
ratification of the treaty and the
league would sit down with the mem
hers Of the United States Senate,
would confer with Mr.. Wilson, and
VIII you, Mr.. Root, as we'll as with
Judge Taft and all others who have
sincere purpose and whose service
IN the past equips them especially as
ADVISERS in this work You know and
Know fu we'll that Senator Harding
very recently said: 4 am not interested d
IN clarhcation, am interested in rejec
tion. AS have stated at the be-
ginning | am placing a charitable con-
NeioH upon your statement tndt
perhaps your partisanship has pre-
vented your reading my addresses and
Your prejudice las prevented you from
realizing the destructionist attitude OF
your own candidate. But you have
made a statement concerning me which
,ne records show is false, and | firm.
nut respectfully call upon you te
gUorrect this statement at once. Mr.
Eoot, you have arrived at an honor
aole station in life. Many people trust
fOu You have no right to deceive
them. They want the truth in this
campaign. Your conscience will tel
you that duty to it should be superior
10 duty to your party.
JAMES NJ. cox"
uovernor Cox's statement comment
'"g upon the Root message said:
am to-day addressing a telegram
Continued page tour)