, 1921-11-30
THE A c or Five.

Touching the conference and related matters"
notes the New York Tribune, cit Is increasingly evil
dent that President Harding has large views. II he has
the psychology of the small town, il he is Main Street
in political life, then an American small town is not
lacking In vision and its Main Street, whatever il
lacks in architectural splendor, is a highway Of sig
nifeance.
"Mr. Harding is disclosing himself as possessed Of
both ideals and common sense. He sees his goal clear
by, but also sees the obstacles to attaining 1t. lie has
the precious gift Of patience. He is satisfied to make
haste slowly, the way of nature and Of mans not
discouraged because it is impossible for mankind to
wing itself into blessedness with the swiftness Of a
modern flying machine.
During last years presidential campaign the presi-
dent was criticized because of the alleged vagueness
of his utteranees. He had voted twice for this coun-
try to enter the league of nations. The insistent in
terrogatory WIS addressed to him as to whether his
opinion had Uttered. He would not exactly say, and
indefinitely spoke of an association of nations as a
possible substitute. His enemies attacked this as mere
ly 4 political trick to hold the support of different
kinds of Republicans.
"But 1t is now revealed that as far back as last De-
cember President Harding had clearly grasped the
idea whose establishment is the first essential to world
harmony. This idea, it is hardly necessary to say, is
the union, as trustees Of peace of the five great pow
intent.
at is agreeable to learn that this idea of a league
Of the five has long been at the back of the presidents
mind. His various steps surely have been toward its
realization. Naval disarmament, solution of the Pa
cifc problem, land disarmament to the degree that
this was possible-all of these are not ends, but mere
iy means to an end. They have been promoted to
lessen friction among the five and thus to assist in
the erection of ar association of nations worth some
thing. Public opinion was not prepared to support an
understanding among the responsible nations-per-
haps it would take a long time to educate It. But in
the meantime he saw it would help to have the five
powers function in concert. The backbiting in which
the British and the French are now indulging may t.
rated a great grief to the White House. But it has
faith that such a silly fire will soon burn itself out.
Unto the great scheme of the president everything
duly fits. He would have periodic conferences. for
through them the nations can learn to work together.
Moreover, he remembers that the late war perhaps
would have been averted| if a conference of the ma
tons could have been held. The provision for AUTO
Pnatic periodic meetings was one of the good sections
Of the half-baked covenant, and Mr.. Harding wisely
borrQws it.
can invitation to Germany to participate in world
rruncils to the extent of accepting the fundamental
lecisions also fits into the plan. A league of five will
not be against any nations-will be for the principles
it espouses, and the door to outside acquiescence must
be always open. In time, when Germany and Russia
have become civilized, the league will become one of
seven. and then a league of eight, when China finds
herself.
Most remarkable is the progress made by Presi-
lent Harding since last March. The embodiment of
his policy has been most impressive. And the end is
not yet"