Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1920-09-16
SENATOR KARDING's PLAN
Is Services In United States Senate
Gives Him a Broad View

plndered, the more favorable is the
lpression produced by it, and the
ore striking its contrast to the now
oroughly discredited and repudiat-
Leagle of Nations. 1t had been
lasonably assumed in advance that
5 pronouncement upon the subject
Duld be mastery, because he was
< aown to be an informed and
loughtful man, who as a member of
he senate committee on foreign re-
.tions had given the matter much
spert study, and who in discussing
he league of nations, both face to
ace with the president at the white
ouse and on the floor of the senate,
ad shown himself particularly clear
nd incisive, and constructively in
lined. His address more than
ealized the best anticipation of his
riends. Its effect upon his appon-
nts may. best be judged from the
adly ratified and fiabbergasted state
a which it has left them
The radical difference between his
Dlan and that of General SHUTS and
resident are two. The first Is that
lie would have an asociation--the
word was used by President Wilson
preference to "league"-of free
and Independent nations, with unim-
paired sovereignty, while Governor
Cox, following after President Will
son, would have league of partially
denationalized states. which had SUR
rendered an essential portion OF their
independence and sovereignty. The
second is that Senator Harding
would have International controver-
sizes composed by judicial tribunal,
governed by fixed and definite prin-
ciples of law administered without
passion or prejudice; while Governor
Cox, inheriting President Wilson's
scheme, would have all matters dis
posed of by a combination of diplo-
mats and politicians, actuated, as
such bodies almost invariably are, by
considerations of expediency and sell
fishness. In brief, the one would
have the world ruled by law, the 9TH
err by politics.
There can be no question we think
Of the preferableness OF Senator
Harding's plan in theory, and on
grounds OF abstract principle. No
body will seriously dispute that; es-'
,pecially in this country, where we
boast of having a government OF
law. not OF men. It is impossible
that we should deny the whole world
the same privilege of being govern
ed by law The question then
arises of its practicality, and that,
we think, can be as confidently
answered in the affirmative, on
three distinct and convincing
grounds. One is the prima facie
exposition of his plan which Sem
ator Harding has made. 1t is not
vague and nebulous with voices in
the air and visions on the horizon.
Clear. lucid. cogent. Z detailed, the
very statement of the plan Wind
cates its practically.
Another, perhaps more convinc-
ing. ground is that of the attitude
and procedure of the other import
ant nations which are interested in
III. What Is going on at the Hague
Is most significant. We have hith-
erto pointed out upon admirable au-
thority that the league OF nations. or
at least its international court, has
become merely an appendage to the
Permanent Tribunal of The Hague.
of which this country was one of the
creators and in which we have most
conspicuously and infiuentially par
ticipated. The council of the league
has formally accepted this reconfir-
nation of the permanent tribunal,
which forms an essential part OF
Senator Harding's plan; since II Is
court in which we can participate
and whose decisions we can accept,
as we have notably done, without the
slightest impairment of our nation
Atty. The foremost European
statesmen in fact. have practically
abandoned President Wilson's
scheme, and are intent upon present.
ly reorganizing the league OF ma
tions upon the basis of Senator
Harding's plan Weeks ago 1t was
responsibly. announced from the 9TH
err side thatRthe European statesmen
whoc ontrolled the league of nations
had accepted the repeated refusal OF
this country to approve the Shuts
Wilson covenant, and were preparing
to adjust themselves to the concep-
ton of Americas international rela-
lions which was set forth in the re-
publican platform. Later, Mr..
Iioyd George said that in order to
secure American cooperation II
might be necessary to make some
changes in the covenant-not merely
to accept American reservations, al
facting us alone. but to make actual
changes in the text, affecting all
members. Later still Lord Gray
said that IL America would join the
league she should be permitted to do
so on her own terms, and that Amer
leans should be entrusted with sthe
reconstruction of the covenant OF
course the fact that European states
men thus coincide with Senator
Harding's views is one of the strong
est possible guarantees OF the prac-
ticabilitv of his plan, and sweeps into
limbo the silly and'insincere pretense
that adoption Of any effective reser-
vations would necessitate tedious ne
gotiations for securing the accept
ance OF other powers.
The third point to our mind most
pertinent OF all is that IL is prac-
ticable scheme because 1t is in entire
harmony with the American consul
tuition with American policy, and
with American traditions. Obvl-
ously, mo scheme could be practicable
for America which was not in such
harmony: as President wilson's
scheme is not. There is one OF the
most impressive and significant con-
trasts between the two. Senator
Harding. in constructing his plan,
considered America first. He re-
garded the whole subject from the
American point OF view. He elab-
grated his plan with scrupulous care
nowhere to conflict with the consti-
tuition, or with the declaration Of In
dependence. Recognizing the facts
OF Americas nationality as they are,
he sought to build upon them as an
immutable basis. President Will
sons sccheme, having been prepared
for him by a non-American states
man who had no regard whatever for