New-York tribune., 1921-01-01
Senators Back
Harding Idea
Of New League
Comment of Knox After His
Conference Will, Preei-
deni-Elect Is Generally
Endorsed in Washington
Separate Peace Forecast
Resolution Early in Session
To Be Preliminary to
Working Out Main Plan

From JUc T~ibnao's Washington Burena
WASHINGTON, Dec. Ex-senator
Harding as President, will have the
support OF a large majority of the
Senate in the plans which he is en-
gagged in formulating for a new asso-
ciation Of nations. This has been made
plain by the cordial tone Of the talk
about the Capitol to-day, with respect
to the statements of Senator Knox at
Marion, after his conference with Sen
ator Harding.
At the outset of the extra session
resolution will be passed with the
least practicable delay, declaring peace
with Germany. This is the first great
step in the Harding program. To re-
turn TO a condition Of peace is looked
on as the first essential, and after that
the plan for an association of nations
gradually will be worked out.
Senator Harding may present his
matured plan for the promotio of
world peace in his inaugural address,
but that is not definitely assured. 1t
is not at ali unlikely that he will not
bo ready to 90 more than discuss the
subject in general terms at that time.
Senator Knox returned from Marion
to-day, but he had no statement to
make in addition to what ne said at
Marion. He not only is convinced thai
Senator Harding intends to scrap the
eague, so far rs this govcrnmen, Is
concerned but he is pleased over it.
Ssnator NnuX had nothing 10 say about
Cabinet mattars.
Bitter Erdcrs. Satisfied
Senators on the Republican side read
tho knoX in,eyvieN, as wired from
Marion, with intercet. 1t met with
much iev,rable comment. The irrecon-
cil' res esp rcla'ly are plenseJ with 1T
Senator Bcrah said; Owe ought a.
to be thanAfni for this magnificent
New Years present.
The statement of Senator Knox I'M
pressed ms very favorsbly - 81 d Sen
ator 3randegce. ut is plain that We
shall rot proceed along ihc lines Of the
ola lcarrc"
Senator New. of Indiana. said
- THINK to T." -cdure outlined bv
Senator kndN is the natural and in
evitaNlc course for this matter tn take.
approve it, believe that .Iter
things have progressed to corrajn
point. Nr. Harding. as President. vii
call into conference members OF the
81 "to ard inaf he Win confer with
special representatives, Of the powers
and enGeaVor 80 work out Il plan for d,
world court which VIII hear anl pars
upon justihable questions between ma
u t..b ' I.
world. believe. that sNch plan
vii be evolved which viii con
ducc to the peace Of tn, world ana
Will not, rs the LEAGUE arrangemnt
docs tend in the direction Of war
behsYe. the developments Of the last
Few weeks have shown conclusivcly =
that the Senate was riGht in refusing
TO t's tho United States up in the
League of Nations covenArt after the
fashion which was proposed "
Old Plan Not Practicable
Senator Townsend OF Michigan, said :
'' do not see what else we can do. I
do not think w can undertake 10
work tho problem out on the old basis .
IS a matter of fact. the information
thtt Senator Harding viii no. build
on the foundation Of the old league
covenant has caused nc surprise TO a
number Of Senators who talkoi fl 81 k
:! with him while he was here. Nor
did it cause any surprise 70 Senator's
WHO have visited hin al Marion. To
more than one Senator, it il s4id. he
has made entirely plain his purpose
seek % bring about an association
Ct nations based On different thccrie 5
tnan those underlying the league. On
'he other har :. nambcr Of me nre-
conciiables have oaru concerned over
tho ports fren Marion tha. Senator
il7roing vas grndually yielding to
pro-league supporters.