New-York tribune., 1921-03-06
Harding Policy
Fails to Cheer
British Press
Manchester Guardian Only
Paper That Sees Hope for
League in His Speech;
Others Are Disappointed
Official Views Are Varied
Lack of Plan for German
Settlement Is Deplored;
Wilson Idealism Praised
From, The Trtbune's European Bureau
C..u~:r~i,A 1904 N.,,. Xe.i- n,.tA,.... L..

LONDON, March 5.--Although the
British press attempts to read into
President Hardings inaugural address
forecast Of American participation in
European affairs, most of to-day's edi-
torial comments reflect rather dis
appointed spirit. Some contrast the
Presidents words sharply with Wood
row Wilson's second inaugural address,
in which he spoke Of the changes in
Americas historic policy of isolation
These contrasts invariably disclose
disappointment that the new Repub-
, lican Administration should remain
aloof.
All Of the newspapers see little hope
that tine United States will join the
League OF Nations, while some assert
that Mr.. Harding's declarations mean
the doom of the league. Many parts of
the address are obscure to British
readers and difficult for them to in
tcrprct, but the outstanding keynote is
Enthusiastically clear.
1t is the odd fact that The Man
chester Guardian, the strongest sup
porter in this country of the Wilson
policy, finds the most reason for hope
in President Harding's words. 1t says !:
Through the whole course of his ad-
dress runs the forceful current of that
determination to help in making future
wars impossible"
Most Of the other newspapers reflect
less confidence that the United States
will cooperate with European nations.
German Problem Complicated
In high quarters the Presidents ad-
dress was received with mixed feelings,
It leaves unanswered the question Of
the method the United States will pur-
sue in reaching q settlement with Ger
many, and that fact is unsatisfactory to
the members of the Supreme Allied
Council, who have reached most criti-
cal stage in their negotiations with the
Berlin government over the payment of
war damages. If Germany refuses to
admit her war guilt and pay for 1t a
situation highly embarrassing for Eu-
ropean nations is going to develop, and
tude makes the position of Allied lead
ers here doubly difficult.
Lets not be dismayed because Hsr
ding says in set phrase that America
will not do certain things that Wilson
wanted her to do" says The Westmin-
stcr Gazette which thinks that Har-
din's plan for q world court, if worked
out in practice, would be uncommon
ly like the league"
owe may talk about German indcmni
ties, but We cannot settle them with
out eventually obtaining Americas
concurrence" the newspaper continues
"ft rests with the United States al
most more than any other power at this
moment to say whether the competi
tion of armamcnts shall continue or
whether it shall give way to amicabic
relations founded en- mutual conf
dence."
Rap for Council Suspected
Then there is the question Of Amer
ica's attitude toward the mandates over
Mesopotama and zap. On this sub
icct The New Statesman says that
"the unfortunate Council Of the league
hrs received sharp rap over the
knuckles from America" British news
papers regard Hurding's words as fore
shndowing a continuation Of the Will
son policy on the mandate questions.
Up to this time the Supreme Coun-
ci.-which really means the govern
ments of Great Britain, France and
Japan-has expected that with the
coming of 2 new Administration in
Washington the United States govern
mcnt also would be represented at the
conference table, and the Council,
therefore, has conducted its affairs
with that idea in mind. Whether they
will follow that policy henceforth in
view CT the new Presidents declara-
tion Of policy is a matter of conjec-
turc.
The remarkable feature of all the
press comment here is the high praise
given to Mr. Wilson. Even The Morn
ing Post. long one of his btterest
critics, joins in the chorus to-day. All
pay tribute to his idcalisn Although
his policy is dead in Europe, the fact
remains that the present situation is
satisfactory to nobody.