New-York tribune., 1920-10-22
johnson Hints
A New League
May Be Born
Admits Steps May Be Taken
Later Toward Agreement
Between Nations; Asserts
Wilson Scheme Is Dead
Favors Plan to Stop Wars
Says U. S. Must Not Give Up
independence; Right, Not
Might, To Be Considered

Senator Hiram Johnson, of California,
league irreconcilable. interjected a
perhaps" into his discussion of the
League of Nations at his apartment in
the Belmont Hotel yesterday when
asked if he would join in possible
future negotiations in the Senate for
an association of nations or some other
form of international body for the pro-
motion of peace, provided Senator
Harding were elected President and
pursued such course.
perhaps there will be such negotia-
tions," said Senator Johnson II don't
want to condemn anything in advance.
We can cross that bridge when we get
to it. | don't pretend to say that
there will be no league or association
OF nations, or whatever you may call
1t, but | do say that we are not going
into this league, the only one we know
now. Every normal man is for peace.
am for any understanding that will
promote peace end prevent war, with
out sacrificing our national independ-
ence, and based on right and not on
might. But we are going to have the
solemn referendum that Wilson wanted
and we are going to bury this league
!. beyond all redemption
y Quotes Harding Speeches
Senator Johnson insisted that the
impression that some Republicans were
trying TO create that Senator Harding
was for the League of Nations. with
reservations, interpretations or ex-
plantations, or in any form, was
wholly unjustifed. He declared that
the Republican Presidential nominee
has scrapped the league, and that was
ali there was to it. Senator Johnson
quoted Senator Harding in his speech
OF acceptance and in his Des Moines
speech to show that the latter was abb
solutely opposed to the league
Can you imagine man who used
these words and made this solemn
pledge, on which he will be elected
President, and after election trying to
lead the people into such a league ."
asked the Senator. Senator Harding
has scrapped the league if you believe
his words. and l believe them. There
is nothing inconsistent in his asser-
tions that he believes in some sort Of
an association of nations to promote
peace. We all want to do everything
we can to make peace secure. We ir-
reconcila bles have never said anything
more radical about the league than
Senator Harding has said. We don't
want any votes under false pretenses.
Republicans who are clinging to Sem
ator Harding on the theory that he
favors the League of Nations had bet
ter let 60"
Only Speaking for Himself
Senator Johnson said he was not
speaking with the authority of the
Republican National Committee in what
he said yesterday, but merely for one
the league question for the last yeal
and half. He declined to comment
upon Elihu Roots speech at Carnegie
Hall or the recent statement by vii
II. Hays, Republican national chair
man, that the people were not so mucl
interested in the league issue as othel
issues in the campaign.
Mr.. Johnson said that whatever
might happen after election. he would
never change his position on the
League of Nations. He declared thai
Senator Harding would owe his elec
ton chiefly to the league issue, and
that it would be responsible for ar
overwhel lining Republican victory. He
said the fight had already been won.
How about Governor Cox's chang,
on the league ?" the Senator was asked
"Cox. Oh, he's out of it, Why dis
cuss CoX?' said Senator Johnson.
California would give Harding anc
Coolidge majority of at least 100000
more likely 200 00O and the next United
States Senate will be Republican, the
Senator declared. Senator Johnson vii
speak in Baltimore tonight. Hartford
Conn.,, to-morrow night and go from
there to Canton, Ohio, and Detroit