Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-10-07
C. O. p. Nominee Not jim
Favor of Wilson League
With Reservations. Il
STUBBURNNESS HAS
MADE ISSUE CLEAR
Democratic Mandate That Wilson
Covenant Mast be Accepted or Re
jected Leaves Room For Quih-
hling-Hardins in Des Moinss
Speech Says League is Already
"scrapped" by Its Maker.
,ecial to Times Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
Des Moines. Oct. 7.-one OF the
largest audiences which ever gath
cred indoors here to greet a political
speaker assembled in the Coliseum
today to hear Senator, Harding. He
was enthusiastically received from
the time he reached the city until his
departure at noon for Council Bluffs
and Omaha. The republican candidate
made particular init with his Des
Moines audience In his replies to a
number of questions asked him from
the audience touching on the league
of nations issue. Senator Cummins,
before introducing the speaker, pre-
sented Mrs. Harding, who bowed
.gracious1y toy the applause which
gree,ed her appearance. Many repub-
lican leaders We're here from over
the state to confer with the party
managers accompanying Senator
Harding on his trip.
By Associated Press. -
Des Moines, Oct. IA direct Issue
Of ratifying or rejecting the league
of nations was accepted by Senator
Harding In a speech here today
brushing aside the problem ofselart-
flying reservations and declaring he
would favor staying out" Of the
covenant written at Versailles. IL
The candidate said he wanted no
acceptance Of the league wfM ssser-
vations to clarity American ob4sss-
tions, but that the proper course
would be to reject those commitments
altogether.
II do not want to clarity those OBJ
legations he said. Il want to turn
my back on them. 1t is not inter-
probation but rejection that am
seeking"
Issue Simplified.
Goyernar CoXs definition Of the is
sue was being accepted in direct
terms by the republican nominee, who
said democratic stubbornness had
prevented the senate from perfecting
the covenant and had made the ques-
ton placed before the voter q simple
one. He called on all Of those favor
Ning super government to vote the
democratic ticket and pray God to
protect YOU against the consequences
of your folly
The senator also restated his pro-
on principles in harmony with the
constitution, and renewed his pledge
to initiate the formation of such a
concert Immediately after his, cleo
ton.
League Already "Scrapped."
Our opponents" he said, ARE per-
sistently curious topknow whether, If
perhaps l might better say, when
am elected | intend to scrap the
league. 1t might be sufficient in re-
ply to suggest the futility Of scrap
ping something which is already
scrapped. Whether President Wilson
is to be blamed or thanked for the
result, the fact remains that the
Paris league has been serapped' by
the hand Of it's architect. The stub
born insistence that it must be rati-
fled without dotting an Il or crossing
q. t. the refusal to advise--that is, to
punsel-with the senate, in ac-
cordance with the mandate of the
constitution is wholly responsible for
that condition.
Democratic Attitude Stubborn.
The issue which our opponents
are endeavoring to befog is singular
lyasimpe and direct. That the issue
rs made by the democratic president
and the democratic platform and the
democratic candidate does not pre-
sent to the American people the
question whether they shall favor
some form Of association among the
nations for the purpose Of preserving
/ international peace.
THE democratic platform and can
didate have not declared for AN as
sociation, and it is that association
and not the other which we are
promised will be ratified within sixty
days If the democratic candidate is
! elected:
The platform, to be sure, ap-
proaches its endorsement with wind
| ing words and sly qualifications cal
| culated to betray the innocent and
entrap the unWary; but it does
nevertheless, endorse the league as il
! stands. 1t does not advocate or favor
any reservations or amendments or
| changes or qualifications 1t goes nc
further than to suggest that reserva- :
| tions will not be opposed which make
! clearer or more specific the oblga
tions Of the United States to the
| league"
Not For interpretation, But Rejection
! But there is no need of reserva
tions of this character. The oblga-
tons are clear enough and specific
enough. | oppose the proposed
| league, not because I fail to under
stand what a former member of the
democratic administration has said:
we are being let in for but because
I understand precisely what we are
| being let in for. | do not want to
T clarity these obligations: | want to
turn my back on them. 1t is not in