The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-18
ADOPT new PLAN BLOW TO HARDING
G.. O. P. Nominee SCALED" From
the White House.
France Also, Denies Overtures
Regarding Nations Assn.

Washington, Oct. IS. = President
Wilson today asked Senator Harding
Republican presidential nominee, If he
said in his speech at Greencastie.
Ind. Saturday, that he had been 'in-
formally approached by a spokesman
Of France who asked that America
lead the way in forming an association
of nations.
The presidents inquiry was contain
ed in letter given out today at the
White House.
The letter follows: q,
my dear Sir: In the New York Times
of yesterday, October II, 1920 find a
dispatch dated st. Louis October 16, which
purports to report recent public sutterancee
Replying to criticism of his proposal for
an association Of nations, he said in a rear
he already had been approached informally
by representative of France, who asked
that the United States lead the way to a
/ Il write to ask If this is correct quo
tation and if you really said what is there
you the grave and extraordinary infer
enees to be drawn from such a statement,
namely. that the government of France,
which is a member of the League of Ma
tions, approached private citizens of a
nation which Is not a member of the league
with request that the United States lead
the way to world fraternity The de-
partment7 of state has always found the
mindful Of its international obligations
and punctilfously careful to observe all the
prophecies of International Intercourse
| hesitate. therefore, to draw the inference
10 Which l nave rererred unless L am as
sured by you that you actually made this
statement. ~.
Very truly yours.
(Signed) WOODROW WILSON"
The letter to Senator Harding was
given out without comment but it was
intimated that if Senator Harding re-
piled that he was correctly quoted,
there might be another letter or a
statement based upon Harding s
speech forthcoming from the White
House.
President Wilson today directed in
quiries to both the French government
and Senator Harding as to the Repub-
lican nominees recent statement that
he had been approached informally
by representative of France and
asked to lead in the formation of an
association of nations.
French Officially Deny.
Paris, Oct. 1S.-The French foreign
office said today a new association of
nations may have been discussed by
Senator warren G. Harding and scme
Frenchmen. The announcement said,
however, II a Frenchman did have
such a conversation he was not acting
as a spokesman for France. .-.
Senator Harding Is Silent.
Marion, Oct. 18.-Senator Harding
has declined since his Greencastle
speech to elaborate on. the statement
that France had sent a spokesman to
him asking that America take the lead
in the formation of an association of
nations. Beyond repeating that the
suggestion was made "infotmaIIy'' the
Republican nominee has indicated that
he would not make public any further
particulars.
Officials at Harding headquarters
said President Wilson's inquiry on the
subject had not been received when
it was made public today in Washing
ton. 1t was said that a public reply
would be made by the senator as soon
as the message had reached him Of
ficially.