Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-08-30
Applying the Reverse Lever

NOTHING that Senator Harding has said
in the course Of this campaign has cX-
cited the critical comment which followed
his deliberate declaration that, if elected
President i'll November. he would bring
about Immediately complete reversal of
the foreign policies of the present admins
tration Whether this is Il carefully con
sidered warning or merely campaign ges-
ture, it is impossible to know at this time
but in either event the Republican nominee
has given his own friends occasion for alarm
and his opponents an opening for attack.
1t seems impossible that the Senator
should have meant literally all his words
imply. To allow n sweeping Interpretation
OF his pronouncement is TO put him in the
attitude not merely of turning his back
squarely upon the league of nations as
championed by the President. but also OF
reversing the Wilson policy toward Mexico,
the Bolshevists in Russia. with respect TO
the open door in China, and the political and
territorial independence of Poland.
MIR, Wilson has adopted and maintained
a policy of nonintervention in Mexico. 1t
does not seem conceivable that Senator Hard
ing would Immediately send armed forces
into Mexico. plunging the United States into
a Drotracted war with its next-door neigh
Dor. Mr.. Wilson has refused to grant
recognition to the Soviet government in
Russia on the secure ground that il is Il
government without responsibility and with
out character. 1t seems uncomfortable that
Senator Harding would accord recognition 10
Lenine. Mr. Wilson has commended for the
independence of Poland. 1t seems ncon-
ccivable that Senator Harding would pro-
pose surrender OF Poland TO its enemies
MIR. Wilson has stood manfully against Jap
onesc aggressions at the expense Of China.
Can Mr., Harding mean that he would deliver
China into the hands OF the laps?
The Senator has taken pains TO acQuaint
the country with his rejection OF the peace
policies OF the President. He has denounced
the leagne Of nations covenant az written
into the treaty of Versailles and has pro-
posed a separate peace with Germany. All
this has been clearly set forth and has
ELECTED the applause of Senator Hiram
Johnson and other last-ditch enemies Of the
league. 1t may be safely assumed, there
fore, that lie means to reverse" the peace
program of The administration if the Ameri-
can people give him the chance.
But II he should enter upon the important
duties of the presidency with a prcde-
termined program or throwing all the for
eign policies of his predecessor to the winds,
OF facing about with regard to Mexico Rus
STA, Poland. Japan and Latin America, he
will bring about Il state of diplomatic de-
moralization which will throw tho country
into a state OF near-panic.
The most charitable view that can be
taken of the Harding statement is that it
was the on-hand uttcrance OF a thoughtless
man; that lie either did not weigh the mean
ing OF his words or he believed such Il
sweeping declaration would strike a popular
chord throughout the nation. If this view is
we'll founded, then Mr.. Harding shows him
self sadly in need or an official censor-somc
man TO tell him from hour to hour how
dangerous it is 10 say foolish things when
one is tho candidate Of great party for the
highest Office in the world