The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-14
Col. Harvey Proposes Refer
endum in All Nations Be-
fore Hostile Offensive
Can Be Declared.
[. S. WOULD BE SPONSOR
Elihu Root Reports on His
World Court, Which Can
Function on Treaties,
Without the League.
W. J. BRYAN GUEST FRIDAY
President-Ele Goes Seriously
and Persistently Into Find.
ing Good Substitute for
Wilson Covenant.
W. J. BRYAN GUEST FRIDAY


Special Despatch to THE NEw YORK HERALD.
MARION, Ohio, Dec. 13.-If the League
OF Nations is to be rejected absolutely
by the United States. as the people
seem 10 have demanded on Novem-
Der 2, what is to take its place? What
kind of world association to prevent
or discourage war will Senator Har-
ding sponsor when he becomes Presi-
dent and essays TO fulfil his campaign
pledge TO work "for some kind OF
world association that will leave the
future of America unmortgaged?
A strong hint OF the trend of the
President elects mind was obtained
tonight when it was discovered that
he has been spending the greater part
of his time in the last few days dis
cussng a proposal submitted TO him
by Col. George Harvey, "a proposal"
Col Harvey informed the press. which
dwarfs all previous propositions de-
signed to perpetuate peace and TO
democratize the world"
This proposal is reminiscent of a
plan to which W. ]. Bryan has de-
voted years OF thought. 1t contem-
plates a referendum against offensive
great new world bond. It seems to
mean that the President-elect is con-
sidering seriously the very proposal
which once was held TO be a corner
stone OF radical faith that warfare, Of
fensive warfare especially. is a step
which never should be taken by any
nation until the people themselves
have voted aye.
World Court Is Chief Topic.
The news of this discussion concerning
one Of the most interesting and possibly
important Of the many ideas that have
bubbled out of the Marion caldron was
not revealed until after Senator Harding
had finished a long conference with
Elhu Root. The talk with Mr. Root
lasted three hours and had 10 do largely
with Mr.. Roots plan for a world court
which could function with or without
the League OF Nations. Presumably the
fate Of the League Of Nations itself was
not ignored in the conversation in Sen
ator Hardings office from until IL this
morning Each, however. saw lit TO
ignore this part Of their conference. Mr..
Root IN a leisurely talk with the news
paper men spoke only Of the explanation
and argument ne had made on behalf OF
the plan for a world court He had the
bearing Of a man who was satisfied with
the outcome of a conference
Nevertheless the news OF the plan for
an entirely new world association and
FOR a referendum against offensive war
fare had the effect OF tempering the
Importance and the interest OF the Har-
dng-Root conference. It's effect. indeed
was almost startling There Is nothing
to show that Senator Harding is COM
mitted to the proposal.
Col. Harvey was very careful 20 point
out that he had no authority 70 speak
for the President-elect and the Presi-
dent-elect did not care to say any
thing for publication. Nevertheless tie
fact stands that the plan has very ear
nest consideration Moreover William J.
Bryan. who long has favored an inter-
national association not dissinilar to the
kind under consideration here. has been
invited TO confer with the President elect
next Friday. The news tonight makes
Mr. Bryau's appearance here especially
significant
Col Harvey came here last Friday.
Up 20 tonight neither he nor Senator
Harding would even intimate what topics
had been examined. Suddenly tonight.
as Mr Root awaited his hour Of depart
ure Col Harvey gave out. through the
Harding headquarters the briefest Of.
statements. II is best. doubtless. to sup
ply q verbatim.
HRrvey'- views on Peace Fact.
"Col George Harvey. who has been
spending a few days with President
elect Harding" The statement said.
told the newspaper correspondents to-
day that the chief topic Of discussion
between the two has been a proposal
which dwarfs an previous propositions
designed 20 perpetuate peace and to
dcmocratizc the world
1T was. in brief. that tho United
states stand sponsor FOR an association
OF peoples who should pledge their r~-
spcctivc governments FOR an time ncver
to engage in offensive warfare until
the question had been submitted 10 a 'G
decided by the people themselves The
Prcsldcnt-clect declined 10 discuss the
matter. but Col Harvey while dis
claiming any authority 20 speak for
him personally espoused tho idea with
vigor, and expressed tho belief that
plan could Doc devised
through friendly consultation and help
fui cooperation with other nations. or
the mcrits Of the proposal. L IL can
be made effective. De thought there
could be no doubt iu any mind sensi-
tive 90 tho highest ideals and most
worthy traditions OF America"
There the proposal. interesting es t