New-York tribune., 1921-05-09
Policy Is Not Definitely
Settled as to Which of
Two Paths Leads Most
Directly to Normally
View of Congress
To Be Considered
Reed Denounces Decision
to Join Councils as Tao
it Approval of League
BY Carter Field

denC Harding is Stlll deilberaglng Se
to whether the final step in restor-
ing normally in our foreign rela-
tions will be by the Versailles
Treaty route, with strong reserva-
tions, Of course, or by means of a
new treaty to be made with Ger
many. If he is veering over the
middle line toward either of the two
plans to-day it is toward the veg-
sailles Treaty method.
He told friend, in discussing the
situation within day or two, that
he was not willing to ''toss over the
Versailles Treaty yet" This friend,
in telling of the conversation,
placed some Importance on the word
"yet," as indicating the possibility
that the difficulties in the path of
ratification of the Versailles Treaty
with satisfactory reservations, as
pointed out in the Senate last week
by Senator Lodge, might eventually
drive President Harding to abandon
all hope Of this method.
Congress a Factor
On this question, as on his ac-
ceptance OF the Allied invitations TO
have American representatives on
the Supreme Council, the Council Of
Ambassadors and the Reparations
Commission, the TSesident is con-
fronted with problem involv-
ing the human equation on Capitol
Hill, as well as international diff
culties. More effort has been spent,
in discussions by Administration
spokesmen with newspaper CORE
spondents in the last few days, Go
the point that this
country is not en- route for the
League of Nations, than on any
other phase of the whole situation.
1t has apparently been even more
than the question Of
American interests being involved
in these European settlements, SO
far as the publicity Is concerned.
Yet for weeks prov to the accent
ance of the invitation. sr for that
matter the extension of the invitation
for of course there was no s>eret ex-
cept from an official diplomatic stand-
point about its being expecte1- the
path to acceptance was being smoothed
in advance by Administration spokes-
men by constantly pointing out
how intricately inerwoven American
was with the economic re-
adjustments in Europe and how
vitality important it WIS that Ameri-
can ideas should be injected into the
situation, in the hope of restoring
conditions at Ieast industrially produc-
tive as speedily as possible.
Campaign of Education
What the Administration has been
trying to do-withoet resorting to
public statements or speeches ,yhich
would be quoted abroad and which
might provoke answers from political
antagonists at home-has been to edu-
cate both the Republican leaders on
on two points-one that the full din
ner pail in America depends on
Europe settling the reparations ques-
ton and getting down TO business,
and the other tSat by lending a hand
in bringing that happy situation to
pass the United States is neither join
ing the Wilson League of Nations nor
in foreign affairs which do
not concern it.
So far the Administration has beeH
getting along with minimum of criti-
clsm from what is always referred to
in discussions Of the League of Ma
tlons or peace treaty as the irrecon-
cilable element. Some members of
that group which was eager to Kill the
treaty no matter what reservations or
amendments might be tackled on have
even gone out of their way to pour oil
on the waters, and there has been sur-
prisingly little mattering, considering
how strong the feeling has been, and
practically no open revolt.
Harvey Retards Critics
One of the reasons the irreconciia.
bles have been loath to criticize the
Administration in accepting the AL
lied invitation - the fact that it Is
Colonel George Harvey who is 10 rep
resent this government on the Supreme
Council. As the bitterest critic Of the
wilson league and of the Versailles
covenant and as one Of the foremost
advocates of America minding her own
business Colonel Harvey has been
more or less the idol of the irreconcii-
able element from the time they were
a small minority indeed. They are
somewhat torn in mind at present be-.
tween their personal prejudices egainst
what has been done and the fact that
one of their own group is to Big the
American representative on the Su-
preme Council. Hence they are loath
to rush into print with attacks, and a2e
inclined to question their own sears
on the matter.
Tonight, however. Senator Jsmes A.
Reed, Of Missouri, who for long