The Washington herald., 1920-07-30

safeguarded America and removed
the objections they had to the
| league, but also that our entry into
the league with such reservations
was good thing for the world and
the United States, and was needed
to meet our just responsibility as
the leader in the family of nations.
No Definite Program.
And now what does Senator Hard
ing propose to do to meet the obli-
cations of the United States he
recognizes both in his Senate votes
and in his acceptance address? With
the exception of the passage of the
joint resolution declaring peace with
Germany, which Mr.. Wilson vetoed,
Mr.. Harding gives no definite pro-
gram OF action as to the league af-
ter March 4 next. He says:
With a Senate advising as the
Constitution contemplates, I would
hopefully approach the nations of
Europe and of the earth, proposing
that understanding which makes US
willing participant in the conse-
Grafton of nations to a new relation
ship to commit the moral forces Of
the world, America included, to
peace and international justice, still
IeaVlng America free, independent
and self-reliant, but Offering friend
snip Tor all the world. II men call
Tor more specific details / remind
them that moral committals are
broad and all-inclusive, and we are
contemplating peoples in the con-
cern of humanity's advancement,
from our own viewpoint the pro-
gram is specifically American and
we mean to be Americans first"
With Difference, this is NOT a def
nlte program as to the Character
OF the association which he would
propose to form. Indeed, there is
nothing here said that will pre-
vent him from adopting the league
OF nations with the Lodge reserya-
tlons should the other nations de-
cllhe TO make a new association.
VI course. we can only conjecture
now the other nations would meet
proposal of the kind suggested
oy Mr. Harding. 1t would have
to be given definite form. Nero
expression OF good Win and an
nouncement of moral reasons for
making and keeping peace would
not suftce. One can not make om-
eqets without breaking eggs. II
makes no difference whether Won
call it an association or a league
one can not create effective asso-
Citations without obligations of the
nations associated to do sometime
We can't make arrangements to
reduce armaments without cove
nants or agreements to do so. we
can't settle causes in a court of
Justice or submit nonjusticiable dif-
ferences to conference so as IN
prevent war without binding agree
ments to do so. When the reouIred
form Is given to all the objects
which Mr.. Harding and Mr.. Lodge
have indicated as necessary ard
proper. then the other nations arc
quite likely to say: But here is
the league to which we are willing
to admit you with all the reservs.
tlons you have insisted on. 1t ac-
complishes all the objects you pro-
pose. 1t has been functioning for
more than year and has proved
satisfactory. We must decline to
give up what has served us we'll"
Treaty Necessary.
or course. if meantime the league
mas taileo' the case would be diff
ferent. But IL all the nations but
~ ncy 3. anu Austria nave
found IL to function properly tho
United States will encounter djf,I-
Guilty in securing a complete aban-
donment of that league, brought
about with SO much effort, for some
other plan.
The joint resolution declaring
peace would not effect a peace WITH
Germany unless Germany passed a
similar resolution and consented IN
the conditions therein recited
There is grave doubt whether Ger
many would do this with the con-
ditions of the resolution which did
pass Congress. II 1t is mere Joint
declaration of peace, then it must
be supplemented by treaty. In
deed, this would be the case in anv
event, for peace by resolution Is
most unsatisfactory in settling the
future relations of two Countries
after a war involving SO many com
plications.
This inadequacy was recognized
In. the resolution as introduced in
the last session of Congress, for tho
President was requested In il. To NO
Eotiate separate treaty with Cor.
many In order to supplement the
deficiencies of the declaration even
H.