The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-02-17
HARDING LEARNS
SERIES OF FACTS
REGARDING PARIS
Thomas w. Lamont Tells the
Presldent-EIe Numerous
Things About Treaty
That Sober Him
ny RoBERr T. SMALL

st. Augustine. Fla, February l6.-tSpe-
ciaf.)--There is no question but Senator
Harding's talks of the last few days with
Thomas W. Lamont of New York have
opened, up an entirely new train of
thought to the President-elect.
As he approaches the presidency, Mr..
Harding is beginning to realize more than
ever that his days as critic are about
over. and that soon he must be in po-
stion to defend himself from attack. Mr.
Lamont, one of the directing geniuses of
j. p. Morgan & Co., and a member OF
the American commission which dealt
with the financial and economic phases
of the peace making in Paris, painted to
MR. Harding picture Of Woodrow Viii
sos which was entirely new to the next
President.
HE WATTS CHANCE
Mr. Lamont did not come to st. Au-
gustine 10 defend Mr.. Wilson. He had
no partisan purpose to serve. He found
himself in the midst Ct large assembly
OF partisans. it is true, for the politicians
are overrunning this antiquated winter
resort, but Mr.. Lamont kept his own
counsel until he found himself closeted
With the man who, in less than three
weeks, will be at the helm of the Amer
Jean ship of state. Then Mr.. Lamont
talked freely and it is safe to say he
gave Nh Harding some of the most in
teresting information he has had since
the day of his nomination last June, and
also. but indirectly some Of the best ad-
vice.
Mr.. Lamont found in Senator Harding
ain attentive and. generally speaking, =
well-informed listener. 1t was really MI.
Hardings first opportunity to hear flrst-
band some of the things which went ON
at Paris. He found, among other things,
that Mr.. Wilson had comparatively mt
tie to do with making up the economic
and financial clauses of the treaty SO
often denounced as iniquitous. The
President, it would seem, was content to
leave such matters to those technically
informed on the subject. His one con-
Germ was to be sure that fairness was
being attempted in every respect.
HARDING SURPRISED
Bernard Baruch, member OF the
commission. has attempted to tell the
world as much. but Mr.. Baruch was sci
down as partisan supporter Of Mr.. VIII
son, and his testimony was discounted
on this score. Mr. Lamont, being fairly
free from prejudice, has carried weight.
Senator Harding apparently was some
what surprised to find that there IS no
truth in the story which has been circu-
lated to the effect that President " iison
had "intinated', 10 the represent atlyes
OF the great powers in Paris mat me
United States would consider canceila-
ton OF the 10000, 10000 Of loans made
to the allies during the period of Amer
ica's participation in the war The
President made no such intimation, AND
Mr.. Lamont was glad to set Senator
Harding right. on this point, and TO as
sure him that the outgoing President had
left no implied or expressed obligation
upon the incoming administrator.
BIT SOBERED
It will. therefore, be up to Presldent
Harding and his cabinet advisers, as well
as to Congress, very shortly, as to what
they shall do in respect to the foreign
loans. In view of what Mr.. Lamont
has said. there can be no passing alons
Of any obligation. ss. .
Mr.. Harding seems to have been DIT
sobered the past few days. as he begins
10 realize that his days Of complete re-
sponsibility for the government are -
FAST approaching. He is beginning, II
would seem, to get at the heart Of things.
II has been easy to be a critic; it has
been easy to lay all the ills OF -
nef,nIe and the nation to the democratic
narfv III general and to Woodrow Wilson
in particular. II,
sir. Harding, on March 4, will assume
direction Of the executive machine Wnlcn
ras fhe bower to function without hais
n. sbif,drance il it should be desired.
Tsherh will be no divided responsibility
.,fter March 4 Mt Harding knows the
big JOB which is before him, and perhaps
that is why he has been playing so hard
doUn here in Florida during his last few
tlays OF comparative freedom