New-York tribune., 1920-06-20

commodate lacks In will power and
grit when occasion requires,
The political cry of the Democratic
press that Senator Harding Will be a
ruppet in the hands of a dominant
group OF Senators has no foundation
whatever. He will be President He
knows the rights, duties, powers and
responsibilities Of the Office. His
taking personality, the evident absence
Of himself in his thoughts and con-
cluSions and his considerate attitude
toward all will enable him to frame
and carry through needed measures by
sottenlng asperities and creating a de-
sire in would-be opponents to comply
with his wish.
He is man of the highest character.
He has no vulnerable past. He will
seek the strongest men for his coun-
cilors, with no fear that they will also
cast shadow. Two other Ohio Presi-
dents. Rutherford B. Hayes and William
Mckinney, when nominated were hailed
by the opposition with the same de-
pJeciating chorus we hear now. Their
administrations stand out among the
others as most worthy. Their chiefs
called the ablest leaders Of party and
political thought into their councils
and urited party government accom-
phshed its legitimate purpose
And now what Of the campaign ?
Where does Mr.. Harding stand on the
issues likely to be prominent and con
trolling? In previous article the
writer has considered the effect of the
platform, the attitude of Mr. Harding
and the circumstances confronting the
incoming Republican Administrator,
and has pointed out the inevitable en-,
try of the United States into tho
league, with the Lodge reservations
improved as IT may be, by such a court
procedure on justifiable issues as Mr..
Root is now. helping to frame for the
league. On January /. 1920. the writer.
in discussing Mr.. Harding in these
columns as a candidate. said this OF
his attitude toward the league:
Not Bitter Ender
Senator Harding has been member
Of the Foreign Relations Committee Of
the Senate and has generally voted
with the majority of that committee,
though he did oppose them at one time
IN their action calculated to postpone
indefinitely sideration of the treaty.
He is not a bitter ender and voted for
the league with the fourteen reserva-
tions. One may feel reasonably assured
thst, with the other Republican candl-
dates, except those from the Pacific
NiopS, ne Wuuiu pc SlHU 10 nave lne
treaty and league ratified with com
promise reservations and will finally
vote to that end"
This is true to-day. The discussion
as to the league in the campaign In
the end is likely to settle down to
question of reservations. MIR. Wilson'S
party, it seems probable, will adopt a
plank in favor of the league without
any reservations which will impair its
usefulness. There will be at first VIC
lent attacks upon any league at all BY
some Republican speakers, but in the
end the issue will be this:
Was Mr.. Wilson right in killing the
league with the Lodge reservations?
That is the concrete issue which Will
emerge. The bitter enders are not co
ing to be able to give the fight diff
ferent turn. The greatest protagonst
Of bitter endism is Senator Johnson
To say that he is pleased with the re-
suits of the Chicago convention is not
to adhere to historic truth He beat
Wood and Lowden and he avoided ex-