The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-12-15
HARVEY INDORSES
 bRYAN'S PLAN FOR
 WAR REFERENDUM
Would Have Nations Agree Not to Go to War Until Peoples Had Spoken on
 the Subject
By ROBERT r. SMALL

Marion, O., December 14.--tspe-
 ciai.l--New interest in the coming
 of William Jennings Bryan to Ma
 ricn on Friday has been lent by
 statement from Col. George Hnr-
 vey. house guest of Senator and
 Mrs. Harding, that he and the
 President-eIect have been discuss
 ing nervously the last few days
 the feasibility of the United States
 standing sponsor for asso-
 eiation of peoples who shall pledge
 their respective governments for
 ali time never to engage in ofIcn-
 sive warfare until the question has
 been submitted to, and decided by,
 the peoples themselves.
 This idea of war referendum has been close to MT. Bryan's heart for long time. He espoused it with par ticular passion at the Jackson Day din- ner at Washington last January. He declared it was the people who suf- fered 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 at tack by another power. The temper of the people in such circumstances would need no referendum to give itself ex- pression.
 Mr. Bryan felt, however, that the declaration of war by the United States against Germany and later against Austria in 1917 was particularly case wherein the public will should have been consulted by means of a refer cndum.
 COL. HARVEY'S SUPPORT
 Comparatively little attention was paid to Mir. Bryan's suggestion the time it was made. but now support for his plan has come from an unexpected quarter. Colonel Harvey, who has been spending several days at the Hard ing home in Mount Vernon avenue, has announced the chief topic of con- versation between him and the Presi-. dent-elect has been a proposal which he chacterized as "dwarfing all pre- vious propositions designed to perpet- uate peace and to democratize the world"
 So far as I can recall Mir. Bryan's plan for referendum of the people before g declaration of war was to apply 10 the United States alone. Col onel Harvey would have an association of nations agree to such plan, with the United States all powerful in world affairs, standing as the sponsor for the entire organization
 
 Senator Harding himself has de- cllned to discuss the matter. but Col onel Harvey while disclaiming any authority to speak for him. person. lily espoused the idea with vigor. and expressed the belief that a practica bIa plan could be devised through friend Ny consultation and helpful co-opera- ton with other nations
 On the merits of the proposal if it can be made effective" said Colonel Harvey, T think there can be no doubt in any mind sensitive to the tions of America"
 ROOTS COMMENT
 As the conferences respecting tha international relation of the United States proceed here at Marion. Sena tor Harding gives every evidence Of keeping an entirely open mind. When Elihu Root was asked at the end of fis long and important conference with MT Harding if any conclusions had been reached, he replied very delib erately:
 The nature of the conferences the fresident-eiect 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"
 MT. Root did not see the Harvey statement before leaving Marion. and probably would not have commented upon 1t if he had Like all other ScnemeS of international arrangements the whole plan would fall down if ali the nations of the world did not toin. It is recognized by those who have dis- scussed the Harvey and Bryan idea that 1t wouid he out of the question for one party to dispute to hold referendum as to declaration of war, while tha other power, not bound by the refereu duu obligation. was preparing to strike and gain tho initial advantage of the attack.
 POWER OF COURT
 Having participated in the formula ftCn of the plans for permanent court of international justice, it was natural that MT. Root should have dwelt for some time in his talk with Senator Harding on that particular phase of a possible international accord. Although this court is now a part of the League of Nations, MT. Root evidently is of the opinion 1t could continue to function even if the League of Nations, founded at Versailles. should fall to pieces. This would be made possible by an amendment to the general arbitration treaties in effect today among most of the civilized powers. These treaties agree to the arbitration of certain dis putes, such as the interpretation of treaties and of international law codes but in each dispute it is necessary to choose board or commission of arbi- tration. The permanent court offers a ready means of deciding issues prompt 1y, and if the powers now affected by the net work of arbitration treaties in effect should agree that disputes always should be referred to this tribunal, both Senator Harding and MT. Root believe
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