Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-12-16
WAR REFERENDUM
IS CONSIDERED BY
PRESIDENT
by RoBERT r. SMALL
Leased Wire Service to The Journal
(Coryright, 1920

MARION, Ohio, Dec. 14.-New in
terest in the coming of William Jen-
nings Bryan to Marion on Friday
has been lent by a statement from
Colonel George Harvey, house guest
of Senator and Mrs. Harding, that
he and the president-elect have been
discussing seriously the last few
days the feasibility OF the United
States standing as sponsor for an
association Of peoples, who shall
pledge their respective governments
for all time never to engage in Of
fensive warfare until the question
| has been submitted to, and decided
| by. the people themselves.
| This idea of war referendum has
been close to Mr.. Bryan's heart for
q long time. He espoused it with
particular passion at the Jackson day
| dinner at Washington last January.
He declared it was the people who
suffered in time of war and he felt
they should be consulted before the
making of war was begun. This
would not mean a vote of the people
| in the event Of an invasion or an
unwarranted attack by another pow
er. The temper of the people in such
circumstances would need no refer
endum to give itself expression.
Mr.. Bryan felt. however, that the
|
States against Germany and later
against Austria in 1917, was particu-
| larly O. case wherein the public
| should have been consulted by means
! of a referendum.
Comparatively little attention was
paid to Mr.. Bryan's suggestion the
time it was made, but now support
for his plan has come from an I'M
expected quarter. Colonel Harvey,
who has been spending several days
at the Harding home on Mount Ver-
non avenue. has announced the chief
topic of conversation between him
and the preSident-elect has been a
proposal, which he characterized as
"dwarfing all previous propositions
designed to perpetuate peace and to
democratize the world"
Bryan's Plan
So far as 1 can recall it Mr.. Bry
ans plan for referendum of the
was to apply to the United states
alone. Colonel Harvey would nave
an association Of nations agree to
such a plan. with the United States
all powerful in world affairs. stand
ing as the sponsor for the entire or
ganization.
Senator Harding himself has de-
clined to discuss the matter but Col
onel Harvey, while disclaiming any
authority to speak for him. person
ally espoused the idea with vigor,
and expressed the belief that prac-
ticable plan could be devised through
friendly consultation and helpful
cooperation with other nations.
con the merits of the proposal, if
it can be made effective" said Col
onel Harvey. 81 think there can be
no doubt in any mind sensitive to
the highest ideas and most worthy
traditions of America"
fha ron faranca raSnaPtino the
international relations of the United
States proceed here at Marion, SEN
ator Harding gives every evidence of
keeping an entirely open mind. When
Elihu Root was asked at the end of
his long and important conference
with Mr.. Harding if any conclusions
had been reached, he replied very
deliberately:
"The nature of the conferences the
president-elect is holding is such as
not to lead to any immediate or def
mite conclusions. My own talk with
Senator Harding was most delightful
and most satisfactory"
Mr.. Root did not see the Harvey
statement before leaving Marion and
probably would not have commented
upon it if he had. Like all other
schemes of international arrange
ments, the whole plan would fall
down if all the nations of the world
did not join. 1t is recognized by
those who have discussed the Har-
vey and Bryan idea that it would
be out Of the question for one party
to dispute to hold a referendum
as to declaration Of war while the
other power, not bound by the ref
erendum obligation, was preparing
to strike and gain the initial advan-
tage of the attack
Would Commit U. S.
Having participated in the formu-
lation of the plans for permanent
court of international justice, it was
natural that Mr. Root should have
dwelt for some time in his talk with
Senator Harding on that particular
phase of possible international ac-
cord. Although this court now is a
Root evidently is of the opinion it
could continue to function even if
the League of Nations, founded at
Versailles. should fall to pieces. This
would be made possible by an amend
ment. to the general arbitration trea-
ties in effect today among most of
the civilized powers. These treaties
agree to the arbitration of certain
disputes, such as the Interpretation
Of treaties and of international law
codes, but in each dispute it is nee
essary to choose board of commits
sion of arbitration. The permanent
court offers a ready means of de-
Gliding issues promptly and if the
powers now affected by the work of
arbitrating treaties in effect should
be referred to this tribunal, both
Senator Harding and Mr.. Root be-
lieve a long step will be made to-
ward abolishing war.
Mr.. Root does not believe the court
will make war impossible. The court
might declare itself on question
of right, but it would be powerless
to stop a war which had its incep-
ton in "a question of policy Mr..
Root does not believe it possible to
compel" nations to submit their
quarrels to an international court.
cit is a dangerous business" he
said, "to talk about comnu1sion when
you are dealing with nations
But Mr.. Root would commit the
United States to the court, and. like
Mr.. Taft, he would not except from
the Jurisdiction of the court even
questions of so-called national honor
eff you act honorably," he said,
'tyou have nothing to fear from sub
hitting your national honor to the
test"
Mr.. Root does not believe that any
Of the recent wars of history could
have been prevented by the court, he
has helred to establish. These wars
have been wars Of policy, some of
them dynastic wars, and no court
can be devised to deal with policy
wars Where one party to dispute
is bent upon making war. as Mr..
Root believes the central powers
were bent in 1914. nothing can stop
hosti,ities. With the passing of
kings and Queens and dynasties, and
the establishment of governments
responsible to the neoDle, Mr.. Root
believes war will become more and
more remote and that voluntarily the
nations of the world will agree to
submit all their disputes, including
those Of national honor. to adJudlca,
tion by an unbiased international
court. The fact that the new court
is to be permanent affair. and al
ways ready to hear and act Mr.. Root