New Britain herald., 1921-12-21
THE HARDING ATTITUDE.

Hughes 5-5-3 ratio for capital ship!
on condition that the lighter ship!
and submarine matters be settled II
accordance with her wishes. Incl
dentally the difference of stand be
tween France and England, especial,
In regard to the submarines, will ht
brought to a very sharp point, witt
the United States maintaining its po'
sition as stated in the Hughes plan
that the submarine arrangement is
too uncertain at this time to be set
tied. But this latest stand of France
and anticipated, by the evident dis
position to hasten to a decision by
taking one question at time and
making disposition of that question
as far as possible.
But to people of this country an
other incident stands out as of great
err importance. It is something that
has been done, is definite and can
not be changed while the decision OF
the conference delegates may be later
modified or reversed.
This interesting incident is the dis
play of the attitude of President
Harding in regard to vital matters
Early yesterday afternoon it is report
ed he said to newspaper men, through
the customary channels, that he in
terpreted the four-power treaty not
to include the islands which are a
part of Japan proper; that they were
not to be considered as islands but
rather as part of Japan. Later in the
day, presumably after conference with
Secretary of State Hughes, he changed
and asserted that he had no obiec-
tom to the Interpretation which
would provide for the applications OF
the terms OF the treaty to those is
lands as well as to the dependent is
lands of Japan.
President Harding's convictions
have been said TO partake somewhat
of those of former President Wilson.
The ideal he has held has been kin
to Mr.. Wilson's league ideal, though
the relationship has not been shown
In the same physical features. Yes
terday, however, his attitude was as
far removed from the Wilsonian as
black is from white. He had made
a pronouncement, possibly without
due consideration it is true, but
nevertheless a pronouncement Great
CONSERVATION resulted. Upon consid-
Grafton he openly changed the opin-
ion previously expressed. He had
taken counsel; either his personal
opinion had been changed or, that
determined to bow to the opinion of
those who had first hand knowledge
Of every angle of the treaty situation,
knowledge of the frame of mind of
foreign delegates as expressed in their
attitudes discernible only through
personal contact, and possibly more
thorough knowledge of the whole sit
uation. The President, in plain
words, admitted that others in this
country, in this case of Secretary of
State Hughes and the other delegates
should be in a position TO know more
than did he regarding this important
matter, and he refused to allow pride
In his former pronouncement to de-
ter him from submitting to their in
terpretation He learned of the un-
Outstanding between all the delegates;
he refused to allow his personal
words to change the agreements they
had made in the performance of the
duty entrusted to them.
Possibly the Presidents desire to
see Japan in full accord with the
terms of the treaty she had made led
to his earlier Interpretation. Ger
tainly the understanding of Secretary
Hughes, later agreed to by President
Harding, will he moro acceptable to
this country. Almost may it be said
that the clcar-thinking Mr. Hughes
bostered up our President. making
him see the wisdom of standing firm
against any Interpretation which
would he further concession TO
Japan, The implication at first sug-
gests a certain weakness in the Ex-
ecuttve. 1t remains to be seen wheth-
er or not a willingness to publicly ac-
knowledge a changed attitude. after
advice and further knowledge has
been obtained is in fact weakness
which will be detrimental to the
country
President Harding probably is sor-
ry he spoke without due considera-
ton; probably his friends are sorry;
but certainly thinking people are glad
that no harm has been done and that
the President was not averse TO
changing his Interpretation Of the
treaty.