The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-10-19
HARDING'S REPLY TO
PRESIDENT WILSON

Marion, o., Oct. l9.--ReplyinE to an
inquiry from President Wilson. Sena-
tor Harding wrote the White House last
night that although France had sent
asking America TO lead the way for an
association OF nations, the incident had
not involved the French government In
any violation OF international proprie-
ties.
erence to the subject In a speech at
Greencastle, Ind. recently he only had
sough, to convey the thought that there
had come to him those who spoke
sentiment which they represented to be
very manifest among the French peo--
pie" He added that his words could
not be construed to say that the French
government has sent, anybody to me-"
Referring 10 Mr.. Wilson'S suggestion
OF improperly In a foreign nation APP
preaching a private citizen" on such
subject. Senator Harding pointed out
that he 10 a member OF the foreign re-
lations committee. as well as a nominee
for the presidency. and suggested that
IAN informal expression to me is rather
more than that to a private citizen"
The text OF Senator Harding's let
ter sent in reply TO one from President
Wilson asking whether the senator had
been correctly quoted In his Greencas-
tie speech. is as follows:
Dear MI. fTeblu6nl--l nave
me press copy Of your letter to me OF
this date. though I am not in receipt OF
tho original copy. ! am glad to make
n prompt reply
TT Is very gratifying that you hesi-
tate to draw differences without my as
Burance that I am correctly quoted. The
quotation az reported In your letter 10
not exact. The notes OF the stenog-
rapher reporting my remarks quote me
as saying: France has sent her
spokesman to me informally, asking
| America, In It's new realization OF the
situation. TO lead the way for an assoc
citation OF nations
II am sure that my words could not not
| be construed TO say that the French
government has sent anybody TO me-.
The thought was trying to convey was
| that there had come to me those who
spoke a sentiment which they repre-
scented to be very manifest among the
French people. but nothing could sug'
gest the French government had vio-
lated the proprieties Of interna ticnal re.
| lations. Official France would never
| seek to 20 over your high office as our
chief executive to appeal to the Amer
lean PEOPLE or any portion thereof.
II can soc no improperly In privat
citizens Of France, or In american
their understanding OF sentiment in tina
enough to discuss. perhaps, but YER
| respectfully urge that an informal ex
preston TO me Is rather more than tina
| TO a private citizen. hold a place a
a member OF the foreign relations com
i mittee OF the United States senate
which is charged with certain constitu
tional authority In dealing with foreig
relations, end l am necessarily con
scious that ! am the nominee Of tn
republican party for president Of on
| republic
En- the combination OF these two pos
tons II ought not be unseemly tha
some very devoted friends OF new an
better relationship among nations. n
matter whence they come, should wis
to advise me relating to aspirations
corporate with our own republic In A
tanning the high purpose. Let me al
sure you again OF the observance OF a
the proprieties and again assert th'
the French government has maintaint
| that great respect for your position.