New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-04-13
Would Pass Knox Pro-
gram Without Declara-
ton of Policy; Negotiate
With Allies, Not Berlin
Tax Revision and
Tariff Are Asked
FavOrs National and Indi-
vidual Economy; Wants
Merchant Marine Aided
By Carter Field


WASHINGTON, April 12.-The
Harding foreign policy was outlined
by the President to-day in his first
address to Congress. Amid tumultu-
Gus applause by the overwhelming
Republican majorities of the House
and Senate, packed into the same
chamber in which President Wilson
last Thursday four years ago ap-
pealed for declaration of war,
President Harding calmly unfolded
his plan for restoring peace.
There was one big surprise in the
program as set forth by the Presi-
dent, but the five hundred-odd Sena-
tors and Representatives, having
just screamed and stamped in per-
feet frenzy their approval of the
Presidents statement that this coun-
try would never enter the existing
league, did not seem to grasp the
new feature.
Five Steps in Peace Program
The President also discussed the
most important domestic problems
facing the country and made recon-
mendations for their solution.
AS set forth in his message the
Presidents program in regard to
peace with Germany and an associa-
tion of nations may be summarized
as follows.
Notice to the world, served in
his address to-day, that this gov
ernment will never join the exist
ing League of Nations.
Passage of the Knox resolution
declaring peace with Germany, but
without any declaration of policy,
such as was embodied in Section
of the resolution, and without
any instruction to the President to
negotiate treaty with the former
Central Powers, but containing a
clause amply protecting American
=" rights.
Negotiations with the Allied
powers looking to formal ap-
proval by this government Of the
Versailles Treaty, so far only as it
affects the rights and interests Of
America and it's citizens.
Ratification of the Versailles
Treaty with such reservations
and notifications as will secure
our absolute freedom from mad
visable commitments and safe
guard all our essential interests"
Negotiations with the powers of
the world looking to an association
of nations which will have no
super-government or right to COM
mand, but which will work for
peace.
Yap AIIusion Unmistakable
Each one of these FIVE steps is de-
pendent upon the pre0aing one being
accomplished, the President made
clear Particular emphasis was laid on
the point that until American rights
the allusion here to zap and other
mandates was unmistHable-has been
recognized by the Allies, there could
be no going forward. Failure on this
point would stop approval of even the
part of the Versailles treaty that may
be considered unobjectonable, and
would, of course, prevent the addi-
tional step looking to an association
Of nations. More important. it would
to a large extent withdraw American
support from the reestablishment OF
sound economic conditions in Europe,
which, the President pointed out. are
largely dependent upon the settlement
o. the reparations question.
The big surprise in the Presidents
peace plan was his idea with regard to
approving the Versailles treaty with
suitable notifications. The whole peace
plan section of the address is under
stood to have been discussed only with
Secretary Of State Hughes, and. so far
as could be discovered, no Senator.
even of the Foreign Relations Commit
tee, had heard the suggestion of this
partial approva. If the versailles
Treaty until the President read it to
them at the White House this morn
ing, few hours before going to the
Capitol.
Difference in Two Peace Plans
The essential difference between the
plan laid down to-day, which might b.
called the Harding Hughes plan, and
that agreed upon by the Senate group.
which should be called the Knox plan.
is this--that the Knox peace plapsAlled