Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-12-13
Strong Pressure Being
Brought to Sway Harding
Away From LEAGUE Idea
BY ROBERT n. sMAII..

MARION. December 13.-Whatever
may be the ultimate resolution of
Pfksident-eiect HARDING. resnact;n.,
the league of nations. his early con-
ferences on the subject all have had
to do with persons who believe that
the future Of the United States i. fled
up with the best that Europe has to
offer in the way OF an internatioua;
understanding. Strong pressure ia
being brought to bear to SWAY the
President-elect away from any ar
Nngement with European powers.
but Mr.. Harding continues to con-
suit with those who have had expert
ence abroad and who bring 20 his
counsel of best minds their con-
tact with European affairs
Elihu Root. summoned but recently
by the league of nations to helm for
mulate the international tribunal
which often has been referred to as
the supreme court Of the league of
nations, completed today trinity of
minds consecrated to the idea of an
association or a league having for its
purpose the peace of the world.
Charles Evans Hughes. Herbert
Hoover and Mr.. Root all have COM
mitted themselves to the league idea,
and all three have had the advan-
tage of the first formal talks with
the man who on March 4 next will
assume executive direction of the
United States of America.
Col. Harvey Close BY.
Mr.. Hughes, who is being promi-
nently mentioned as the next Secre-
tary of State: Mr. Hoover, insistently
referred to as cabinet possibility
and Mr. Root. who could have almost
any position of prominence he de-
sires in the next administration. have
first had the ear of the next Presl-
dent Friends of the league OF ma
tions idea. while citing these Incl
dents. have been confronted by the
fact that during the conferences OF
the last few days the most Intimate
man with Senator Harding has been
Col George Harvey, an implacable
foe of any association OF nations
man who has lampooned President
Wilson and every one associated with
the peace meetings at Paris and Yer
saiIles Col. Harvey is continuing as
guest of Senator Harding while
the friends OF the league are being
heard. The influence. ther store. that
the friends of the league would be
supposed to exercise with Mr.. Hard
inn is being offset by the close per-
sonal contact between the next P-esi-
dent and q man known the country
over as foe of all that the league
of nations has to offer.
MIR. Harding has been known to
lean keenly toward the international
court idea which Mr.. Root represents.
II was reported last summer that Mr..
Harding might adopt the Root court
scheme as his own solution of The
international problems of America,
but when Mr.. Root came home it was
seen that the court he helped to
establish while abroad. was a tri-
bunal inextricabiy interviewer with
the covenant of the league of ma
tions.
HOover's stand Jnaitered.
Mr.. Hoover, during his stay in Mar
ion. let it beS known rather plainly
that the recent election had altered
his mind in no respect as to tie de-
STABILITY of the United States enter
ing a league of nations. Mr.. Hoover
believes that the existing league of
nations offers the best opportunity Cor
America to cooperate with the rest OF
the world He knows that the league,
as signed at Versailles. is not all that
if ought to b. and ne does not advo-
cate the entrance of America into that
league without reserva tions which
will make the attitude and the obliga-
tions of this nation absolutely clear.
He has left with Mr.. Harding for
further consideration this theory.
The United States produces more
than 1t consumes. The prosperity of
the United States IS dependent largely
,,non the purchasing power OF Europe.
II is .valueless to 1erd Europe money
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