Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-07-10
a Test of Strength,

IT, RDSlDENT HARDING is face to face
- with the most momentous decision
he has been called upon to make since he
assumed the presidency. The. passage by
Congress. of the -Portef. peace resolu-
ton must be followed by even more decisive
action. This measure no more brings
actual peace to America than did the sign
ing of the armistce. 1t merely declares the
state of war at al end just as the armistice
decreed that armed conflict in the field was
at an end ill.,
Peace between two warning powers can
only be achieved by tho negotiation and mu-
tual ratification of treaty of amity and
commerce. Such treaty must be consum-
mated between the United States and Ger
many before the relations between these two
nations are on peace basis, their mutual
rights safcguardcd and full diplomatic and
commercial Intercourse resumed once more.
1t is the constitutional duty OF the eXecu
tive to negotiate such treaty and to sub
nit il to the United States Senate for rati-
tication. Two courses open to PreSi-
dent Harding in dealing with the problem
before him. He may revise the treaty of
Versailles. drafted with the assistance of
his predecessor and participated in by all
the other belligerent powers, and resubmit
that instrument to the Senate. Or he may
cast aside that pact and negotiate directly
w V,
regard to the interests of the powers with
which America was associated in the sue
CcsSful prosecution of the war
The obvious course for Mr.. Harding to
pursue leads to the resubmission OF the
treaty of Versailles. minus such obligations,
involving the covenant Of the league OF
nations, as he and his party have repudiated
But will MIR. Harding have the courage to
move in that direction? He has shown no
sign that he has. To date he has allowed
a small but vehement group of United
States Senators. commonly denominated
''irreconcilables." TO brighten him away
from every policy that remotely involved
the treaty written Mt Paris. This was true
OF his campaign and il is true of the period
since his election.
On the other hand, MIR. Harding took into
his Cabinet as Secretary of State man
whom the irreconcilables have never in
undated Charles +. Hughes entertains
no fear in his hear, of hostility on the part
or the Senate. He proved this when he in
duced Mr. Harding to resubmit the Colon
binn treaty, II measure which even Senator
Lodge had denounced III bitterest terms
but which MIR. Lodge not only was forced
to swallow, but actually compelled by the
reason of circumstances openly TO champion
on the floor of the Senate
Mr. Hughes believes that the treaty OF
Versailles should be rccast and made the
groundwork for the future negotiations with
Germany. He does not believe American
rights and interests can be protected in
any other way. He has said as much to
Mr. Harding again and again, it may be
assumed lie has certainly said as much
to the newspaper correspondents who at
lend his daily press conferences.
, II now remains to DO whether or
not President Harding follows the ADVICE
which he invites from Mr.. Hughes, and be-
comes sponsor fora treaty already in exist
encc or whether he allows the fear of as
sault from the irreconcilables TO dictate his
decision. This is the scverest test OF moral
strength to which Mr.. Harding has ever
been put, and the policy he adopts will more
accurately measure the man whom the
American people elected TO the presidency
last November than any other previous cir
Cumstance III his career.
4 t...II lilo, '.is