The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-03-21
HARDING VIEW SOUGHT
France Willing to Change
Entire Scheme Provided
Treaty Remains.
FOR CONTINENTAL GROUPS
PertinaX Hopes Emissary Will
Not Fall Into Jusserand's
Persistent Errors

Special Cable to THE New YoRK HERALD.
Copyright, 1921, bD THE NEW YonK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.l
Paris March 20.
| That one of the primary objects or
the visit of former Premier Vivani to
the United States is to get President
Harding's views regarding the League
of Nations is now accepted as fact by
all the French press despite the efforts
of the Government to define the mission
as merely feicltatory. This is indicated
in all the comment provoked by the de-
parture OF NJ. viviani from Havre yes
terday. in which the prevailing theme is
the League of Nations and Frances at
titude thereon.
A note of great anxiety, however, Is
discernible. the fear being expressed by
the newspapers that by reason OF his
own sympathies and his connections
with the League of Nations the former
Premier may put his foot into it, espe-
cially II he goes as a defender OF the
league. NJ Viviani only recently was
appointed Frances representative on the
leagues amendment comm isson, the
first meeting of which will be called in
Geneva next month. The other mem
bers of this commission are expecting NJ.
Viviani to guide them regarding the at
titude and desires Of the United States,
for as was told in despatch to THE
NEW YORK HERALD from Geneva at the
time the commission project was up.
the principal idea behind It was to work
out changes in the league acceptable to
the United States.
French stand Remains same.
The position Of the French Govern
inC he sc
ready to see the whole scheme changed,
provided enough Of the old title remains
TO obviate revision of the Versailles
treaty such as a complete ,annulment
OF the present organization would mean.
NJ. Pertinax in the Echo do Paris says
M. Viviani's message should be: do
as you wish. Destroy anything you
wish Articles Ill, X, XVI, XIII,
votes, mandate. coercive measures
what do they mean to us? They are
only shadows and inefficacious phan-
toms. All that is necessary to us is to
keep the treaty intact" He adds that
unfortunately Ambassador Jusserand
seems to be guarding the Wilson league
and says: I'VE hope NJ. Viviani won't
fall in with his persistent errors"
The Petit Parisien says NJ. Viviani
will set forth that France cannot con-
ceive of any future agreement that does
base. and the pact of the League OF Ma
lions, which is inseparable from 1t. II
the United States desires to modify the
pact in accordance with President Har-
ding's ideas, its proposals will naturally
be examined with the most friendly
attention.
Nothing. for example. prevents the
members Of the League OF Nations from
being grouped by continents. as the Re-
III. d.. 20 glt httf
1t is essential that a beginning should
be made by common ratification of this
diplomatic work of Versailles on which
Frances very future depends.
Only One Method of Joining.
Nothing is more legitimate than that
America should keep aloof for the time
being. But the day she is willing to
come to our side, she can do it only In
one way--by ratifying. withsthe reserva-
tons she judges necessary, the Treaty
OF Versailles with the pact Of the League
OF Nations. President Harding person
ally seems to be favorable to immediate
ratification of the Versailles treaty. and
Mr. Hughes manifestly shares this feel
ing"
AS the Liberte points out to-day. how
ever, IL NJ. Viviani Is suspected OF. going
10 the United States TO defend Mr.. Will
sons league. his mission will be a
catastrophe. Hence. the paper continues
It is essential for him in his first CONVEX
sations with President Harding to show
him that France is ready 70 accept all
Of the United States reservations of
any kind
Those who know NJ. vivianfs views
are sure that he IL for much looser
peace plan than the present one, with
continental groupings, which changes, he
believes. could be made without invali-
dating those parts OF the treaty like the
one concerning the Saar Valley. where
the league was made an administrative