The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1920-10-08
WOULD REJECT LEAGUE.
HARDING IS FIRM IN HIS
STAND ON ISSUE
Declares He Does Not Want Any
interpretations of Versailles
Covenant

elared here today In response to q
question from his audience.
Taking up one of the questions
about separate peace with Germany
Senator Harding reiterated that ne
had no Idea such step would be ne
cessary. To another question asking
whether he believed the league could
call the United States into war with
out congressional action he replied:
Certainly not. But II we entere q
the league and assumed the obllqa
tons of the covenant OF Paris and tn:
council OF the league would decide we
should contribute our sons to carry on
war under the eovenaTt, then congress
would be guilty Of the grossest dis
honesty"
ASSOCIATED Press Dispatch ]
Des Moines, Ia, October IA di-
rect issue of ratifying or rejecting
the League of Nations was accepted
by, Senator Harding. in a speech here
today, brushing aside the problem of
clarifying reservations and declaring
ne would favor staying out or the
covenant written at ~rsailles.''
The candidate said he wanted no
acceptance of the league with reser-
vations to clarity American obliga
lions but that the proper course
would be to reject those committe-
ments altogether. -.
Il do not want to clarity these OBJ
ngations, he said. Il want to turn
my back to them. 1t is not inter-
pretations but rejecting that am
seeking"
Folly OF Democrats.
Governor (tnY'S definition oe III
issue was accepted in direct terms
by the republican nominee, who said
democratic subbornness had pre-
vented the senate from perfecting the
covenant and had made the question
placed before the voters a simple. one.
He called on all of those favoring a
super government to vote the dem
ocratic ticket and pray God to pre-
vent you against the consequences of
your folly" ...
The senator also stated his pro-
gram of the world association based
on principles in harmony with the
to initiate the formation of such a
concert Immediately after his cleo
ton. vi.
-Scrapped by WiIaoa.ass ~ -, 8
our opponents are persistentIy curious
to know wheter, if-or, perhaps I might
better say, when-I am elected, 1 intend
to scrap" the league 1t might be suf-
scrapping something which is already
"scrapped." Whether President Wilson
is to be blamed or thanked for the re-
suit, the fact remains that the Paris
of its chief architect. The stubborn in
sistence that it must be ratified without
dotting an 'i'' or crossing st" 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 sim
pie and direct. That issue. as made by
the democratic president and the demo-
cratic platform and the democratic can
dldate does not present to the American
people the question whether they shall
favor some form Of association among
the nations for the purpose of prersev-
ing international peace. but whether they
favor the particular league proposed by
President Wilson. The democratic plat
form and candidate have not decla red for
an association, but for that" associa-
ton. and it is that association and not
some other which we are promised will
be ratified within sixty days II the demo-
cratic candidate be elected.
The platform. to be sure. approaches
its endorsement with winding words
and sly qualifications calculated to be-
tray the innocent and entrap the I'M
wary: but it does. nevertheless. endorse
the league as its stands. 1t does not
advocate or favor any reservations or
amendments or changes or qualifications
1t does no further than to suggest that
reservations will not be opposed which
make clearer or more specific the obliga
tons will not be opposed which make
clearer or more specific the obligations
of the United States to the Neag,le
Strikes a Deadly Blow.
But there is no need of reservations
of this character. The obligations are
clear enough and specific enough. I OPP
posed the league, not because I fail to
understand what n former member of the
democratic administration has said I'VE
are beng let in for" but because I be-
being let in for. I do not want to clar-
ify these obligations; I want to turn my
back on them. 1t is not Interpretation
but rejection. that I am seeking. NV DO
sition is that the proposed league strikes
n deadly blow at our constitutional in
tegrity and surrenders to a dangerous
- ent our independence OF action. The
democratic platform rejects this position
to quote the exact words. 'as utterly
vain. If not vicious" The democratic
candidate in his speech of acceptance
has said. "As definite plan has been
agreed upon. The league of nations is
in operation Senator Harding
AS the republican candidate for the pres
ldencY, proposes IN pam words that we
remain out of it. AS the den1ocrn tic can
ddate. I favor going in" The issue
therefore. is clear. 7 understood the
position of the democratic candidate and
he understands mine. as his own words
Just now quoted plainly show notwth-
standing the recent pretense that, my DO
sition has not been made clear. In sim
pie words. ii is. that he favors going in
to the Paris league and favor staying
out.
Have Suffered Enough.
Surely we have suffered enough from
the autocratic assumption of n personal
wisdom. which will enither take counsel
nor learn from experience. To formu-
late a plan of international co-or"rat'on.
which will contribute to the security and
peace of the world without sacrificing
or dangerously diluting our power to dr.
ect our own actions. is task of no
small difficulty. should not be fit to
hold the high office Of president if ] did
not frankly say that II is a task which
have no intention of undertaking alone
There are many and conflicting opinions
among the people and among the mem
hers OF TIE senate upon the subject
These opinions~ must be rnconciled and
harmonized II we are to have any in
association for peaee at ell
shall ont risk embarrassing the fin-
al solution Of q problem so momentum