The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1921-03-07
WHAT IS HARDING
PLAN. FOR PEACE?
WASHINGTON ASKS whether
HE WILL URGE PASSAGE OF
THE KNOX RESOLUTION. .
HE FAVORED IT LAST YEAR
France Is Especially Anxious to
Learn the Intentions Of the New
Administration Concerning the
Treaty of Defensive Alliance.
BY EDWARD 3. CLARK.


In the senate particularly, there is
keen curiosity to learn whether or
not President Harding will press for
the immediate passage Of the Knox
resolution declaring that state of
peace exists between the United States
and Germany. 1t generally is expect
cd tliat the passage Of the resolution
us it originally was framed, or in some
amended. form, will be preliminary
step in the movement for the fOrmu-
lation Of general foreign relations
policy.
A member. of the. new cabinet has
told your correspondent that Mr.. Har-
dings announcement early in the
campaign in favor of the immediate
passage Of the Knox resolution was
too specific and to, apparently heart
felt to admit Of any marked change
in the presidential policy expect Sr
The most urgent reasons. 1t also was
said that ut present there is~no rea-
son to believe that Mr.. Harding in
tends to change his mind in this mat
ter. There was, however, attached to
the knox resolution for immediate
peace paragraph which was strick-
Ell out because several senators OBJ
jected to it. These senators said that
they were afraid America might com
nit itself to some international agree
ment which would prevent future in
dependent action ! by this country
along certain lines Of definite Amer
lean policy.
1t was in the summer of 1910 that
a part Of the Knox resolution to
which objection was entered was
stricken out. 1t was a declaration Of
American intention toward European
affairs in case another kaiser, or
somebody else, should strike Il blow
at liberty and democracy. In gem
eral way the section of the resolu-
ton declared that such attempts
would not be viewed by Americans
unconcernedly, but that this country
would take measures to meet such u
Situation.
Hughes to Have Free Rein.
President Harding at, times has
more than suggested that lie will ia.
vor some kind of an association of
nations which will enable the world
to work for peace.
Since the appointment of Charles
E. Hughes as secretary of state, it has
been said that he will be given free
rein to work out his own internation-
al policy. OF course no such State.
ment Of entire freedom Of action
would have been made unless Mr..
Harding believed that in general
way, at least, Mr.. Hughes views on
international matters are like his own.
1t is taken for granted in this city
that the new President and his secre-
tary of state will favor some kind of
prOnouncement which will declare
that America will not view uncon.
cernedly any attempt of great mil
itary power to overrun another coun-
try, or to strike any, kind Of blow
at liberty and democracy. 1t is for
this reason that the feeling seems to
run here that the clause in the Knox
resolution which once was stricken
out. will be reinstated.
Recently the French and British
press have been asking what Americ;,
intends TO do. In the 1ntransigeant
of Paris, Gabriel Hanotaux has put the
question thus to America:
Frankly we want to know how she
is going to end the war. With us or
without us? That is what we want
to know. The rest does not matter
much"
France Wants Promise Of Aid.
1t is apparent from this that France
desires today, as she always has de-
sired, that the United States will
make some kind Of agreement with
her guaranteeing mid in case of an
attack upon her by great military
power. When President Wilson was
abroad he gave assurance that the
United States would make treaty
of alliance guaranteeing American aid
in case Of a German attack. The
treaty alliance matter has been
shelyed, temporarily, at Lease and now