The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1920-12-25
Nd MILITARY
OBLIGATIONS
HARDNC'S POSITION
NOW MADE CLEAR
In Conference With Former
President William H. Taft,
Who Makes Statement

Marion, O., Dee. 24.-President-elect
Hardings last conference on the pro-
posed Society Of Nations, before casting
aside political affairs TO enter into the
Yuletide spirit and Its activities, was
held today with former President VIII
liam Howard Taft. whose ideas as to the
Lcague of Nations have not always CO.
!ndded with those Of the new party
leader.
The former chief executive Of the ma
tion arrived carly this morning from
Chicago, and had breakfast with Senator
and Mrs. Harding. Then they began
conference which continued until almost
noon. when Mr.. Taft left for Cincinnati.
where he will spend Christmas with his
brother, Charles p. Taft, his son, Robert
and other relatives.
Neither tho former president nor the
president-elect V3uld discuss the result
of the confer>ace. Mr.. Taft, however
saey out q cormal statement in which he
discussed the senator's views on the
Versailles league and the proposed Soci-
ETY. of Nations advocated by Senator
Harding. No intimadon was given that
cabinet positions were discussed. Nj.
Taft's statement follows
Tns Taft statamsnt
y enjoyed very much my conference
with Senator Harding. I found that he
had been using the conferences with his
visitors to formulate and confirm the
general views he expressed in his speech
OF acceptance, and that OF August 2s,
and that he felt confident that the de-
sire Of the American people as interpreted
by him In his campaign experiences and
IN the results Of the election. was to
avoid the political and military obhga-
tlons Of the treaty and the league. but
that he feels strongly the necessity for
reaching a common. ground with the
leading powers of the world for. an
agreement That shall secure gradual
effective Limitation OF armament, court
with jurisdicttep over justiciable uves-
et!ons, and q ec1nferenee OF nations p
negotiate and press a compromisd OF
every non-justictAble question threaten
ing war, and which shall give US The
benef, of the adjustment of our relar
tions with Germany secured to the
United states IN the. treaty without OBJ
ject.onable features OF the provisions OF
the treaty as shown in the Republican
senate reservations and without partici-
patton in such commissions under the
treaty as concern European nations;
much Encouraged j.
It am much ecouraged to think that
the senator is working out practical
solution which may not be wholly satis-
factory to the enthusiasts; at either eI-
treme Of which may be considered one,
but will justify those anxious to make
progress and anxious 10 give the United
States the leadership. she should have In
guiding all the nations to permanent
peace so far as that Is practicable. on
course. the senator is properly chary OF
definite program because II must de-
pend on the circumstances, which only
actual conferences with all concerned
may develop, but that he is bent on
working out In a very practical way
real and useful association Is most ap-
Parent He is In an accommodating state
OF mind as to details and even import
ant provisions, II the definite objections
he always expressed to tho method and
aims and obligations OF political and
military character contained IN tho
treaty and the league are obvaated in the
! new agreement
Senator Harding has no conferences
nor engagements scheduled for tomor-
row. With Mrs. Harding, he will cat
Christmas dinner vito nair dozen
newspaper men, whom he has invited to
be his guests. Most Of the morning will
be spent by the president-elect and Mrs,