New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1921-05-06
VARYING VIEWS
Of THE MESSAGE
SOME FIND IT ENTIRELY CLEAR,
WHILE OTHERS ASK "WHAT
DOES HARDING MEAN?"
FOREIGN POLICY IN DOUBT
Obscureness May Have Been lnten-
tional Since the President Intends
the Executive Shall Deal With In,
%ternationaI Affairs, Not the Senate.
BY EDWARD B. CLARK.

%ternationaI Affairs, Not the Senate.
BY EDWARD B. CLARK.
Westinghouse the question were
o such a serious one some humor
could be found in the absolutely diff
ferent interpretations which have been
put on President Harding's foreign re-
lations policy as it was outlined in his
message to congress. Some Republican
members have said that it is clarity it.
self, while some Democratic members
have said that they would like to COM
mel on it if they knew what ii meant.
On the afternoon of the day the mes
sage went to congress-, the headlines
in two Washington newspapers were,
No Separate Peace With Germany
The headlines in some other papers,
published at IA little distance from the
capital, We're "A Separate Peace With
Germany"
1t is true that precious little time
was given headline writer's, OF edi-
torial ~commenterS, between the time
the message was read to congress and
The time of going To press, To get a
clear understanding of the foreign rela-
lions section of the document. 1t is
only the truth 10 say, however, that
even today there are members of con-
greSs who declare that they are not
quite clear AS to what the future holds
if the administration shall succeed in
carrying out what it outlined, or in
tended to outline, as its foreign policy,
The inference seems to be that Presi-
dent Harding desired that the eXecu'
tive rather than congress should deal
with foreign affairs, excepting the reso'
luton to congress declaring that peace
exists with Germany. Naturally it is
said by some of the Presidents advisers
that he kept back the details concern
ing the intentions for the future in or
the whole subject carefully before
making Il definite pronouncement.
How the Factions View It.
Apparently a good many members
of congress look on the Presidents
pronouncement ON foreign relations
from their viewpoint of the days be
fore the message was delivered, one
group seeing roseate prospects and an
other group seeing blackness which
shuts out all prospects so far as the
work of help for the world Is con
cerned. The statesmen of Europe, il
the press reflects their state of mind
seem to be thinking things which they
do not like to express out loud.
There is some humor TO be found IN
the fact that the so-called irreconcil
ableS of the senate and the %recOncil
ables seem equally pleased with the
Presidents pronouncement on foreign
affairs. This Is a statement of fact
not of opinion. 1t was believed in
Washington up to the time that The
message was written that the Presi
dent would be opposed to a fiat decla
ration declaring that reace exists be
II is possible even today that some
thing will be added to the peace reso
luton when ii is passed which will in
innate that, while the United States
wishes peace To exist, Germany mus
expect, If il eve again breaks bounds
under militaristic rule. that the Uni
ted States will act once more just a.
IL acted In the great war.
Up to the State Department.
From the message il is learned tina
the President wishes that some tim,
In the future the United States shall
take advantage of some of the sections
If the Versailles treaty of peace which
the allies agreed to, and weave then
into the American policy. IL is ais
apparent from the message that tn
presiden. still has in mind an associa
lion of nations of some kind to en-
deavor along moral and persuasive
lines TO Keep the peace of the world
II will he the duty of the State de
partment from now on To evolve I;
complete foreign policy in keeping will
the things which the President en-
deayored 10 outline In his message
Nearly every national legislator whit
has spoken on the subject agrees tina
some of the Presidents sentences nee,
calculation. The Republicans in con
gress seem generally TO agree that Mr.
Harding's apparent lack of clearnes'
in one or two cases was intentional
because he wanted TO reserve for tn
executive department the right to &C
first in foreign affairs and not to Civ,
away its hand in advance.
Harding In Many Clubs.
President Harding belongs e
nearly every club and citizens
organization in the city of Washington
by right Of honorary membership. HI
became an active member Of two o.
three clubs while he was a senator o
the United States. and therefore he Il
no strange personally In some of tn
clubhOuses and on several of the gol
links Of the District Of Columbia.
All Presidents have felt the need o
outdoor exercise. In fact, their physi
clans have told them that if they die
not take it they would not be able t.
do their work. SO il is that pleasure
i'm this case becomes medicine, and on
of doors has become a part Of the reg