Evening star., 1920-10-07
HARDING ACCEPTS
COVENANT ISSUE
SETFORTHB BY COX
"1 Favor Staying Out" He
Declares, at Speech at
DeS M0ineS.
By the Associated Press.

Qlrect Issue OF rallIylnS or re1ectlnG
the league of nations was accepted
by Senator Harding in a speech here
today brushing aside the problem Of
clarifying reservations and declaring
he would favor staying out" of the
covenant written at Versailles,
The candidate said he wanted no ac-
ceptance of the league with reserva-
tions to clarity American obligations,
but that the proper course would be
to reject those commitments alto
gether.
Il do not want to clarity those obli-
cations" he said Il want to turn my
back on them. 1t is not interpreta-
ton, but rejection, that / am seeking.
Accepts Cox Definition.
Gov. Cox's definition of the issue
was accepted in direct terms by the
republican nominee, who said demo-
cratic stubbornness had prevented the
Senate from perfecting the covenant
and had made the question placed be-
fore the voter a simple one. He
Iper-government to vote the demo-
cratic ticket and pray God to protect
you against the consequences OF your
folly"
The senator also restated his pro-
gram of world association. based on
stitution, and renewed his pledge to
| initiate the formation of such a con-
cert Immediately after his election.
League Already "scrapped."
Our opponents" he said. are per-
sistently curious to know whether,
| if-or. perhaps might better say.
when-I am elected, / intend to
scrap the league. 1t might be sum
cient in reply to suggest the futility
of 'scrapping' something which Is al
| ready 'scrapped.' Whether President
Wilson is to be blamed or thanked
for the result, the fact remains that
the Paris league has been 'scrapped
by the hand of its chief architect$ The
stubborn insistence that 1t must be
ratified without dotting an 4 or
crossing a t. the refusal to advise
that is to counsel-with the Senate.
in accordance with the mandate OF the
Constitution, is wholly responsible
for that condition.
THE issue, which our opponents are
endeavoring to befog. is singularly
simple and direct. That issue, as made
by the democratic President ana the
democratic platform and the demo-
cratic candidate does not present to
the American people the question
whether they shall favor some form
of association among the nations Tor
the purpose of preserving interna-
tional peace, but whether they favor
| the particular league proposed by
President Wilson.
Quotes Opposing Platform.
"The democratic platform and can
didate have not declared for an as
| sociatiof1. bat for that association.
and it is that association and not
| some other which we are promised
Will be ratified within sixty days IL
| the democratic candidate be elected.
"rhe platform, to be sure, approach
es it's Endorsement with winding
words and sly qualifications calcu-
lated to betray the innocent and en-
trap the unwary; but does. never
theiess, indorse the league as fe
stands. It does not advocate or favor
any reservations or amendments OF
changes or qualifications: II goes no
further than to suggest that reserve-
tions will not be opposed which make
clearer or more specific the obliga-
tions of the United States to the
league.
Tells why He OpDOses-
"Rut there is no, need of reservation
~ this character. The obligations
are clear enough and specinc enough.
Id oppose the proposed league, not
because 1 fail to understand Wnat =
former member of the democratic ad-
ministration has said we are being
LET in for but because / believe
understand precisely what we are
being let in for. / do not want 20
clarity these obligations: want TO
turn my back on them. II rs noI III
terpretation, but rejection. that am
INV position is that the proposed
,eaene strikes a deadly blow at our
integrity ana sur
renders to a dangerous extehs OUT
cratic platform rejects this position,
- onote the exact words, as utterly
vo;n n not vicious The democratlc
candidate in his speech OF acceptance
has said. "a definite plan has oeen
agreed upon. The league OF Ganatns naa1ns
s.rdine rs mr as the republican candidate
for the presidency, proposes IN Piain
Words that we remain out OF II. As
the democratic candidate, ! IaVor
poing in The issue, therefore, Is
clear.
Roth Positions Clear.
&c, understand the position OF the
democratic candidate and ne unoeI
stands mine, as his own "oIus
n.onaing the recent pretense that nay
as;tinn has not been made cfear. IN
ss;r,nle words it is that ne Ias9r1
Going into the Paris league anu
favor staying out .o r.. mis-.
"I do not want any one 10 pe , @
Id
~ misunderstanding, and l am eQuaiIy
Satarmined, If 1 can prevent IL Cnat
INV opponent shall nave no mo-
vote upon a MISUNDERSTANDING. MY
nosition, 1 think, has peen naaIe pe
fsctiv plain, but whether 1t mas or
re not his position is beyond cavii.
80 ~ is that we shall go into tne
1aris League without modification or
Substantial qualification. TO sucn
betrayal of my countrymen , VIII
pevar consent. To those who desire
tn incur the hazard of intrustfng any
~ the powers of the republic to the
of a super-government, or,
~ YOU prefer, to councii Oh ioreisn
mowers, whether the obligation TO loI.
low the councils direct,om oomn,'ss;on ne Sne o
frsnklv say: Vote the democratic
ticket and pray God to protect you
AGAINST the consequences OF your
folly.
"Rlind to the Facts"
.eyve have been told that We must
ratify the proposed covenant IN oroer
TO become a member OF the league
and that if we 90 NOT we shai os
sue For admission hereafter. He who
nresents such a humiliating picture
Is singularly blind to the facts. We
stand almost alone among the great
nations in our dlsinteresteo reiations
to the problems of the world. Be
cause of this the world is ready to
recognize our moral leadership. Be-
cause we are not vitaily concerned
in the conflicting interests of Europe.
because We are independent, because
we are able to approach the solution
of the questions which continually
threaten the peace of Europe as an
umpire rather than as
an interested party. the world will be
glad to have us formulate the plan
and point the way
..Surely we have suffered enough