Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-07-29
HARDING TOHAVE
NOSETPOLICYON
LEAGUE QUESTION
ny DAVID LAWRENCE

Copyright, 1920. for The Atlanta Journal.)
MARION, O., July 27.-Senator
Harding would, if elected president
Versailles SO that reservations to
the League of Nations desired not
only by the United States but by
other nations might be agreed upon.
Indeed, he thinks the covenant ought
to be revised.
In explaining his views to the
writer, the Republican candidate
repudiated the inference that he
would eliminate the entire treaty OF
Versailles including the covenant
from consideration.
He declared that, of course, the
original structure would be used as
q basis for remodeling and revision.
He was inclined to believe the ma
lions Of Europe would be as glad to
be rid of article ten as would the
United States under a Republican
administration, but fundamentally
Mr.. Harding means to approach the
other nations of the world and ne
gotiate an understanding that pre-
serves the Independence and SOW,
ereignty of the United States and
at the same time asks for no privi-
lege that America, on her part, is
not willing to grant to other nations.
No Definite Program
This may lead possibly to negot1a--
tions between the United States and
the allies and Germany with the de.
layed ratification of the treaty of
Versailles offering the opportunity
for revision of the document itself
for which SO many factions among
clamoring.
Of course, Mr.. Harding does not
intend to tie himself UP to definite
e5 eth W n0T or stnati6 ne is
changing SO rapidly that he believes
it both unnecessary and superflu-
GUS to chart a course now that may
be entirely altered, by the time a
new president of the United States
lis inaugurated.
For the present Senator Harding
is concerned with the division in the
ranks of Republicanism which grew
out of the fight in the senate be-
tween the "bitter-enders' like Sena-
d-reservationists" and the Lodge
reservationists. Senator Harding
tried in his speech of acceptance to
avoid the details of a program, rath-
policy Of preserved nationality on the
one hand with assured keeping OF
the American conscience for our
selves which, he believes, inspired
all the opposition in the senate, and,
on the other hand, "to assure the
our part in promoting international
peace through justice rather than
fOrceo
The League Question
Really, there might be as much en-
barrassment to Senator Harding in
coming out fatty for the Lodge
reservations as there would be in
saying at this time that no part of
the treaty of Versailles could be uti1-
lied to carry out the platform pledges
"a League of Nations of certain
principles. The time may come when
with certain safeguards and amend
ments accepted by Europe that 1.-The"
League of Nations may satisfy all
the requirements set forth in the
Senator Harding would find it nee
essary if elected to deal concretely
with the treaty of Versailles, as all
but four nations-Russia Turkey,
Mexico and the United States-either
are parties to the treaty or members
say now that he will stand on the
Lodge reservations would be to COM
nit himself to a program OF re-
strictions upon the power of a preS1-
dent to conduct foreign policy, which
might prove awkward for even a Re-
publican president.
The original set of Lodge reserva-
lions voted on in November, 1919,
were much less difficult than those
adopted in the following spring. In
the effort to circumscribe the power
of Woodrow Wilson, some of the
senators forgot for the moment that
Republican president some day
might be charged with the RESPONSE
bility of foreign policy and would
find himself powerless, especially If
congress were not in session. u
Position of Coolidge
Now at heart, Senator Harding
would be found demanding changes
in the league covenant very similar
to those which he voted for in the
senate and he feels very strongly
can be eliminated without breaking
the heart of Europe. Moreover. he
doesn't anticipate serious objection
to the equalization of voting power
in the assembly of the league.
HoTeyer details tiS,e are rho not 1 pemg
ant thing is that ultimately the treaty
of Versailles would be the basis for
the negotiations of the new under
standing and relationship with Eu--
rope, to which Mr.. Harding referred
in his speech of acceptance.
1t will be noted also that Governor
Coolidge, the Republican candidate
for vice president, shows the way to-
ward the ratification Of the present
treaty with proper reservations. mis-
speech must have been made with
the knowledge and approval OF the
Republican candidate for the presl-
dency. -,
Senator Johnson's destructive criti-
cism has been needed, but Senator
Harding plainly intends to offer
constructive substitute and fulfill the
pledge to civilization which America
made during the war--to participate
in a serious effort to form concert
of nations to maintain the peace of
the world.
M