New-York tribune., 1921-05-09

vigorous open statement attacking the
acceptance of the invitations to Allied
conferences. Following IL Senator
Reeds statement:
Il dislike to appear In the role OF a
critic of the Harding Administration,
but frankly am astounded at the move
Just made. Unofficial representation
= misnomer and solecism.
The men who are 60 sit on the va
rious commissions in Europe have no
business there as private individuals.
They must be there as representatives
of this government If they are there at
all, If they are representatives of this
government they must be official repre-
sentatives.
Status OF Enjoys Questioned
"What Offices or duties are they to
performs If they are mere onloo&ers
The proceedings OF these various
boards can be learned without the
presence of representative of this
government being present. Ii they are
there as mere onlookers and news
gatherers they serve no useruI purpose.
''If they are anything more than
news gatherers then they must take
some part in the proceedings, il not
while the boards are in session, then
at least by way of consultation with
the members of the board. If they
do this they commit this government
to the policies they have advocated or
agreed to and to the suggestions they
may have made. That is to say, they
commit the government as far as the
executive hranen can commit it. As we
all know, the Executive, even if not
possessing full power to bind the gov
ernment, can take such action as will
greatly embarrass and entangle the
United States.
"The purpose of the European powers
can be nothing else than to draw us
into the settlement, adjustment and en-
forcement of their claims and contro-
versies with other European powers in
regard to matters arising out of the
treaties they Jointly or severally made,
or in regard TO matters of disputes
arising outside of the treaties.
ENHANCEMENT Inevitable
at is not conceivable that we can
in any way interfere with these dis
putes without involving ourselves
therein In a word, the action taken
will inevitably involve US in 'participa-
tion in matters of distinctly European
concern This is exactly what the
President states we will not do, and
yet unless we do that very thing we
will do nothing. Indeed, the invitation
of the Allies was in these words: Il
am authorized, with the unanimous
concurrence of all the powers here rep
resented, to express to the United
States our feelings that the settlement
of the international difficulties in
which the world is still involved would
be materially assisted by the CO.
operation Of the United States
"We are asked to cooperate in the
settlement of these difficulties. We &C.
cept the invitation to take part in the
settlement OF the international diff
eulties.' How can we assist in the set
Element of international difficulties
without we take part in the settle
ment? That is to say, we embroil and
mix ourselves in all of the European
difficulties.
"There is but one plain course of
duty for the United States, if the man
date of the American people delivered
at the LAST election is obeyed, and that
is to get out of European difficulties
and controversies of every kind and to
keep ont, and to bring our American
soldiers home. am wondering whether
we are to enter the League of Nations
by the back door"