The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-20
WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER 20. 1920.
MIR. Wilson's Note to Mr.. Harding
and Mr.. Harding's Reply.


and Mr.. Harding's Reply.
Mr.. WILSON was we'll within his
rights when, with a jealous regard
for diplomatic prophecies, he asked
Mr.. HARDING for further details about
the Senator's remarks on France.
Mr.. HARDINs had been quoted as say
ing that he had been approached IN
formally by representative of
France"
1t would have been serious diplo-
matte indiscretion for the French
pretended to take Mr.. LANDINGS
speech to imply, TO negotiate any ma
tional affairs of our country through
any other channel than our State De-
partment. The President, as matter
OF course, could not have neglected
such breach If fact. And be went
about 1t properly.
Mr.. WILSON observed. the niceties
of the situation as well when, before
jumping to any. final conclusion about
the incident, he asked Senator HAIR
DING whether he had been correctly
quoted in the news reports Of his
speech. Senator HARD1NG's prompt
Gnd frank reply disposes Of that ques-
ton satisfactorily. The French Gov
Eminent had held no communication,
formal or informal, with him. Sem
ttor HARDING did not say the French
Government had. What he did say,
according to the stenographic notes,
Kas that France has sent her spokes-
men tome informally" He further
explains as follows:
The thought I was trying to con-
a-vey was that there had come 10 me
those who spoke q sentiment which
they represented to be very manifest
among the French people, but nothing
could suggest the French Government
having violated the proprieties of In
tsrnstional relations. Official France
would never seek 10 go over your
high Office as our Chief Executive 10
appeal to the American people or any
portion thereof.
II can see no improperly In private
citizens of France or in Americans
deeply friendly to France expressing
to me their understanding of senti-
ment in that friendly republic.
SO much for that; and to the Amer
lean people It will seem satisfactory.
What will not be satisfactory to them
is Mr.. WILSON'S Characteristic slap at
Senator HARDING personally. For Mr..
WILSON did overstep the bounds when,
lapsing into his altogether too familiar
attitude OF dictatorial. intolerant
treatment Of fellow officers OF the
American Government and fellow citi-
zens OF the United States, he sheer
ingly alluded to Mr.. HANDING as a
private citizen. Now, Mr.. HARDING. as
a member Of the United States Senate
and member Of its Foreign Rela-
lions Committee, is no more private
citizen than Mr.. WILSON Is. Mr.. W.T.
SOY at present is in more exalted
post, the Chief Maglstracy OF the
nation, but Mr.. HANDING. irrespective
OF the national expectation that he
WIN soon be elevated to Mr.. WILSON'S
own Office Of power and honor, is as
much a public officer Of the national
Government. in every sense that the
term comprehends, as Mr.. WILSON Is.
Senator HANDING, therefore. very suit
ably replies to President WILSON'S
slur as follows:
ut IS not important enough to dis
cuss. perhaps. but very respectfully
urge that an Informal expression TO
me IL rather moro than that 10
private citizen. l hold place as
member OF the Foreign Relations Com
nnattee of the United States sena'e.
which is charged with certain con-
stitutionai authority in dealing with
foreign relations. and I am necessa-
rfiy conscious that L am the nominee
Of the Republican party for President
OF cur Republic"
And, except for the verdict of the
national polls In less than two weeks,
here the incident may fittlngly close.
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