Evening journal., 1920-09-18
U.S.. CAN'T Serve
TWO MASTERS
Harding Declares Washing
ton, Not Geneva Must
Govern This Nation
CONSTITUTION THE
ISSUE, HE SAYS

tne League OF Nations covenant ir-
reconcilable with the American Con-
stltut.on, Senator Harding declared in
constitution day address here that
the time had come for the United
States to decide whether il would
preserve or abandon the charter
under which it achieved nationality.
The Constitution or the covenant
That is the paramount issue" he
sdld. The two ars irrCcOncnable.
we cannot be governed from both
neneNa and Washington. We cannot
follow our present Chief Magistrate
country"
The Republican nominee also as
sd led the administrations policy to-
ward the smaller nations Of the West
ern Hemisphere, asserting that the
Executive had usurped congressional
powers 10 carry on an unconsiitu-
tional war with Hayti and san Do
niingo. lie declared the recent ut
ierances Of Franklin ID. Roosevelt.
the Democratic nominee for vice
president, had revealed officially for
tho first time the American govern
ment rape Of the two little re-
publics.
The speech delivered from the
front porch TO delegations from seve-
raj OhiO counties, reviewed the CIR
cumstances surrounding the making
OF the Constitution and outlined the
candidates conception OF the bal
anced powers Of the executive. legis-
latlve and judicial branches Of the
government. only by preserving that
balance, he said. could the United
states fulnl its greatest destiny.
MARION. o.. Sept. fs-senaior
Harding today made public a letter
ne had written 10 Dr. Jacob Gould
Schurman. president Of Cornell univ
ers. ty. Dr. Schurman had written
Senator Harding saying that on sat
ufday. september IS, a conference OF
college and university executives and
faculty members would be held in
New York, largely comprising schOl-
ars interested in the niern9tiOnal
policies OF the country. particularly
with reference to the association OF
this country with other nations in
behalf OF world peace. DR.. Schurman
suggested that a messag. from Sem
atOr Harding on the subject would
be welcomed and accordingly Senator
Harding sent the following letter.
Marion, Ohio. sept f.. 1920.
Or. Jacob Gould Schurman,
Presidents House,
Cornell University.
Ithaca, n. Y.
Ny Dear Dr. Schurman:
Your letter Of September "A IS be-
fore me- with its suggestion that a
word Of greeting TO The conference or
university people which you will mold
on Saturday. September Is might be
acceptable ! am glad 10 comply.
The difference between our attitud
toward the league Of nations and
that OF our opponents IS easily
stated. Prs dent Wilson has twice
rejected the opportunity TO secure
ratification Of the peace treaty with
what the senate agreed upon as safe
guarding reservations. because he in
Fists upon the original Article 10 as
the very ossenoe OF the covenant.
Tho Democratic platform endorses
this attitude and ihc Democratic
nominee has unqualin dly committed
himself 90 il. We must In fairness
20 him assume that r he had the
authority he would stand by This
position. n ht should b. elected. in
deed. We would have TO assume that
the country had given him mandate
10 accomplish This.
Tho Democrats nominee has de-
clared in favor Of going in" to the
covenant of the president brought
back from Paris. I oppose going into
that league. 7 favor participation In
a world association OF nations with
an International court Of Justice, a
tribunal that shall be governed by
definite principles OF international
law. favor a world association
aiming at the practical expression or
the consclences Of nations planned to
focus world opinion.
"a
defensive alliance Of powers seeking
20 dominate the rest Of the world
Even the other good powers which
were 10 have been associated with us
in this proposed alliance were them
selves hesitant about accepting IL.
7 heartily favor association or ma
fions inspired by ideals OF justice and
fair dealing. rather than OF power
and self-interest. such an association
could. I believe would be potent In
the effort TO ma niain peace The
Hague tribunal gives Ms The founda-
tion OF such an organization. Under
fhe conditions now prevailing In the
world. with The world fully realiz-
dng the awfulnoss OF modern war. It
Is wholly possible 90 perfect The
Hague tribunal 50 that lis determine
tiohs shall be effective. and accepted
without surrender Of national rights.
! recognize that the worlds peace
Is now TO a great extent inler.Wlned
with The settlement or Versailles.
From that settlement. ] would save
all thatNs good and useful. An asso-
oiatiAn OF nations FOR purposes or
conference and a world court with
jurisdiction OF iusliciahlc questions
would. ] am confident, now be ac-
pepied by all nations.
This plan, We have been repeatedly
assured by European statesmen,
would meet their approval Mr..
Lloyd George has frankly expressed
.oVinion that the league N nations
covenant might well be changed for
fhe better Certainly ID is our
thought 10 improve, TO save and
huild upon Whatever Is good rather
than TO abandon the good there is
and repudiate the worlds aspirations
for peace.
Niscouni Grey has generously pro-
posed that the Americans be entrusi-
ed with drafting reconstruction
scheme. Il is apparent That ihe on
lighlened leadership OF Europe
wishes us 10 do This. and I should
feel that 10 refuse would he a dere-
liciion. As ! view IL. we have an op-
lportuniiy 10 do a great service 10 the
world n we Will but undertake this
effort which the world wishes us to
undertake. on the other hand. 7 can
moi but feel that for Us 10 continue
insistence upon a plan which has
uroved Ineffective, upon which our
I'm neopIe can not unite and which
m world recognizes as incapable OF
preserving peace. would be 10 make
his country rccreant 10 a service
t.Nfcb NO really asnirn 10 rnndar n