The Mena weekly star., 1921-04-14
HARDING REJECTS LEAGUE OF NATIONS
Would End War by Senate Resolu- ton and Promote Treaties Between NatioDs-Urges Lower Living
 Costs-Aid for Soldiers.

Washington, April 12.-President Harding in his first address to Con- gress today announced that he would approve ''declaratory resolution" by Congress with qualifications essential to protect all our rights" which would end the technical state of war against the central powers of Europe"
 The president added, however, that 'it would be idle to declare for sepa- rate treaties of peace with the central powers on the assumption alone that these would be adequate because the situation is so involved that our peace engagements cannot ignore the old world relationships and the settle ments already effected, nor is it de- sirable to do so in preserving our own rights and contracting our future re- lationships."
 Although declaring unreservedly against "the existing league of na- tions," the president said;
 "The wiser course would seem to be the acceptance of the confirmation of our rights and interests as already provided and to engage under the ex- isting treaty, assuming, of course, that this can be satisfactorily achieved by such explicit reservations and notifications as will secure our absolute freed n from inadvisable commitments and safeguard all our essential interests"
 An association of nations, the president said could not be founded until the world was at peace.
 Washington, April 12.-President Harding's principal recommendation to Congress in his first annual ad- dress delievered today included the following:
 Foreign Relations.
 No separate peace treaties with the central powers lon the assump- tion alone that these would be ade- quate" "The wiser course would seem to be to engage under the exist ing treaty assuming of course that this can be satisfactorily accomplished by such explicit reservations and mod ifications as will secure our absolute freedom of inadvisable commitments and safeguard all our essential inter- ests. No helpful society of nations can be founded on justice and commit ted to peace until the covenants re- establishing peace are sealed by the nations winch were at war"
 
 Taxation.
 Readjustment of internal taxes and revision or repeal ''of those taxes which have become unproductive and are so artificial and burdensome as to defeat their own purpose.
 Tariff. Instant tariff enactment, "emerg- ency in character and understood by our people that it is for the emerg- ency only
 Railroads.
 Efficient operation "at cost within that which the traffic can bear. Rail- way rates and costs of operation must be reduced" "The remaining ob- stacles which are the heritance of cap italistic exploitation must be re- moved and labor must join manage ment in understanding that the pub lie which pays is the public to be served and simple justice is the right and will continue to be the right of all the people"
 Good Roads.
 The strengthening of laws govern ing the federal aid.
 Merchant Marine.
 "Private monopolies tending to pre- vent the development of needed facil- ities should be prohibited. Govern ment owned facilities where possible without unduly interfering with pri- vate enterprise or government needs, should be made available for general usages."
 Aviation. Regulation by the federal govern ment and encouragement of aviation for development for military and civil purposes"
 Service Men.
 aThe American people expect Con- gress unfailingly to voice the grati- tude of the republic in a generous and practical way to it's defenders in the World war" The immediate extension and utilization of government hospital facilities to bring relief to the acute conditions most complained of.
 Public Welfare.
 "Co-ordination of various govern ment agencies now working on the subject and endorsement of the pend- ing maternity bill"
 Lynching. Congress ought to wipe the stain I of barbaric lynching from the banners of free and orderly representative democracy. A proposal for com mission with representatives of white and black races to study and report on the subject" the president said, ''has real merit
 Army and Navy.
 Early consideration of pending ap- uropriation bills was urged. "The government is in accord with the wish to eliminate the burdens of heavy armament" said the president. "The United States will ever be in harmony with such movement toward the | higher attainments of peace But we shall not entirely discard our agencies I for defense until there is removed the l need to defend. We are ready to CO., operate with other nations to ap- proximate disarmament, but merest prudence forbids that we disarm alone.'
 I National Finance. I "The staggering load of war debt